Water Damage Claims in Florida: 5 Mistakes That Can Cost You
Simple mistakes after a water loss that can cost Florida homeowners thousands
Homeowners can have their worlds turned upside down in mere minutes due to a water loss. Burst pipes, roof leaks and storm damage all contribute to water losses being one of the most common homeowner insurance claims filed in Florida. Despite this, all too often, homeowners make unnecessary mistakes that compromise their insurance claims. Public Adjuster Advocates has helped thousands of Florida homeowners with the water damage claims process. Here we discuss five water damage claim mistakes homeowners should avoid in order to obtain a fair insurance settlement.
The most common mistake we see is homeowners removing damaged property prior to an adjuster’s inspection. In the aftermath of a water damage loss, it is natural to want to clean up and make temporary repairs. However, taking out the damaged materials before an adjuster can inspect them first-hand will cause your claim to be reduced. The second mistake we see frequently is homeowners overlooking hidden damage. Water can travel far and infiltrate out of sight areas like wall cavities, floors and ceilings. You may be left with hidden mold growth and structural damage that can go undetected for a long time without proper inspection. A third mistake is failure to properly mitigate further damage. Continued use of plumbing fixtures with leaks, not drying out wet areas and not preventing additional water from entering the home are all examples of improper mitigation. Hire professional water extraction and drying services and take photos of the damage before any work is performed.
Prompt notice is a key element of a water damage insurance claim. Florida insurance policies contain a ‘prompt notice’ requirement for all covered losses. This notice should be made as soon as reasonably possible and in most cases within 24-72 hours of the event occurring. The longer you wait to report the loss, the more ammunition you give to the insurance company to deny or devalue your claim. The insurer can claim the damage didn’t occur during the policy period, or the damage was due to neglect and lack of maintenance. So even if you’re not sure if your loss is covered or think the damage isn’t much, always notify the insurance company immediately. The longer water damage goes unrepaired, the worse it will become and an affordable fix today could turn into an unaffordable loss tomorrow. Notify your insurance company of your loss by calling their claims hotline, accessing their online portal or visiting your insurance agent. Be sure to send a follow-up written notification to the insurer with all pertinent details of your loss.
Documentation is the cornerstone of any successful water damage claim. Take pictures and videos of all damage incurred before any repairs are made. Include wide-angle shots of entire rooms and close-up details of specific damages. Photograph water marks on walls to indicate the height of the water damage. Take pictures of damaged personal property as well as any visible source of the water entry. Create an itemized list of damaged and destroyed personal property with age, value and replacement cost estimates. Keep a record of all communication with the insurance company, restoration services and contractors. Save all receipts for temporary repairs, emergency housing, meals and replacement items. This detailed documentation will help you build a strong case for the full extent and value of your claim and is essential in the event of later disputes.
Insurance policies are contracts and have specific time requirements that you must follow. Once a claim is reported, your policy will have certain steps and time frames you need to follow. You will usually have to file a Proof of Loss form within 60 days after notice of the claim is given to the insurer. This statement under oath details the date and cause of loss, location and a description of the property damaged or destroyed. In addition, Florida insurance policies often have ‘examination under oath’ and personal property inventory provisions with firm deadlines. Failure to adhere to these requirements is often grounds for denial of the claim regardless of the validity of the loss. If you receive any notices or documents from the insurance company about your claim, respond promptly in accordance with their time frames. If a deadline is unreasonable or impossible for you to meet, always request an extension in writing before the due date. These contractual requirements are put in place to protect the rights of both the insurance company and policyholder. If you are not familiar with these provisions, public adjusters can help you understand your responsibilities as a policyholder.
A common mistake we see is homeowners taking the first insurance company estimate without reviewing it. First estimates often leave off entire categories of repairs or undervalue the cost to replace damaged items. Before agreeing to any settlement, get the estimate reviewed by contractors who will actually perform the work and be on the job-site. Review the estimate line by line with current local material and labor costs in your area. Look for removal of necessary repairs, materials marked at pre-storm or outdated pricing and overlooked code upgrade requirements. Insurance adjusters are not contractors and likely do not understand the full scope of repairs. Keep in mind that once you agree to an insufficient settlement, you are almost certainly going to end up with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses once the work begins. Public adjusters can provide an expert review of these insurance estimates to ensure that all necessary repairs are accounted for.
Water damage insurance claims in Florida present specific challenges that homeowners need to be prepared to overcome. Florida’s humid environment allows for the rapid growth of mold and water intrusion, from hurricanes to plumbing issues, poses serious financial risks to policyholders. By avoiding these 5 common water damage claim mistakes, homeowners can significantly improve their chances of receiving a fair insurance settlement. At Public Adjuster Advocates, we work exclusively on behalf of policyholders and never for insurance companies. We level the playing field when it comes to insurance companies who handle thousands of claims from policyholders each year. If you have suffered a water loss or have questions or concerns about an active claim, consider giving us a call for a free claim review. Our team will work to uncover issues before they become bigger and more expensive mistakes and help make sure your home is restored properly without incurring unnecessary financial hardship.
Vanguard Claims Solutions is a trusted licensed public adjusting firm specializing in maximizing property insurance claims for residential and commercial policyholders.
