HOW TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM FOR PLUMBING REPAIRS AND WATER DAMAGE

For a lot of Oceanside homeowners, the most difficult part of dealing with a plumbing emergency and water damage is filing a claim with their insurance company. We don’t have to tell you that filing an insurance claim for plumbing repairs and water damage can be a complex process. In this post, the Oceanside plumbers at 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration are going to explain the process step by step to make it easier when you need to file a claim.

Here are the 12 main steps for filing an insurance claim after a plumbing emergency:

• Review Your Insurance Policy – Before filing a claim, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand what types of plumbing issues and water damage are covered. Most policies typically cover sudden and accidental water damage (like burst pipes) but may not cover damage from long-term leaks or poor maintenance.

• Document the Damage – Thoroughly document the damage by taking photos and videos of all affected areas, including damaged pipes, wet floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and personal belongings. Make detailed notes about the extent of the damage, the date and time it occurred, and any initial steps you took to mitigate it.

• Mitigate Further Damage – Take immediate steps to prevent further damage to your property, such as shutting off the water supply, removing standing water, using fans and dehumidifiers to dry out an affected area, and moving furniture and personal items to drier areas.

• Contact Your Insurance Company – Notify your insurance company as soon as possible about the damage. Provide them with all the documentation you’ve collected.

• Schedule an Adjuster Visit – Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to inspect the damage and assess the cost of repairs. The adjuster will evaluate the extent of the damage, the cause, and whether it’s covered under your policy. Be present during the adjuster’s visit to answer any questions and provide additional information if needed.

• Obtain Repair Estimates – Get an estimate from a licensed contractor like 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration for the necessary plumbing repairs and restoration work. It’s a good idea to get multiple estimates to ensure you receive a fair assessment. Provide these estimates to your insurance company.

• Temporary Emergency Repairs and Contractors – While waiting for the adjuster and final approval, you may need to make temporary emergency repairs to prevent further damage. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs as these costs may be reimbursed by your insurance company.

• File Your Claim – Submit your claim with all necessary documentation, including photos, videos, repair estimates, and receipts for any temporary repairs. Follow your insurance company’s specific procedures for filing a claim, which may include completing a claim form or submitting documentation through an online portal.

• Work with the Adjuster – Once the adjuster has completed their assessment, they will provide a report to the insurance company. Review this report carefully. If you disagree with the adjuster’s assessment, you can provide additional evidence or get a second opinion from another professional.

• Receive the Settlement – If your claim is approved, you will receive a settlement offer from your insurance company. This offer should cover the cost of repairs, minus your deductible. Make sure to review the offer carefully and discuss any discrepancies with your insurance company.

• Complete Repairs – Once you receive the settlement, you can proceed with the necessary repairs using the contractor of your choice. Make sure the work is completed to your satisfaction and keep records of all repairs and payments.

• Follow-Up – After repairs are completed, follow up with your insurance company to ensure all payments are processed and the claim is closed. Keep all documentation related to the claim for future reference.

WE WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES

1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration has been providing affordable plumbing repairs in Oceanside and surrounding communities since 2012. We work closely with homeowners and insurance companies to make the claim process as smooth as possible. Contact us today to get a detailed estimate for the cost of repairs and water damage clean up.