How to File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage in Hunterdon County

Each year, hundreds of thousands of homeowners suffer from property damage in the form of excess water. Whether it’s due to a single burst pipe or flooding from the nearby river, water damage can be extensive and costly.

Homeowners usually require the help of their insurance company to cover the cost of these damages. Unfortunately, the steps to file a claim can be overwhelming. Many fear that they’ll misstep while going through the complicated process.

We are here to walk you through filing an insurance claim for water damage in your home, step by step. The process is easy once you know how to push forward.

There are multiple steps involved with filing an insurance claim. Not all of them are paperwork or phone calls, though. Step number one is the easiest. Just pick up the phone and call your insurance company. One quick call to their office will connect you with an insurance agent who will guide you through the steps there. However, you must still wait for the insurance adjuster to arrive on-site. Here are a few steps in the meantime:

• Mitigate Damage – Once the insurance company is properly informed of the damages, you’ll need to minimize the damage as much as possible. Mitigation does not mean extensive repairs. Do not complete any long-term or permanent repairs to the property. Instead, simply prevent further damage and rescue your possessions from the water damage.
  
• Record Proof – Next, you need to record proof of the extensive damage to your property. Take pictures and videos, preserve any broken components, and write down notes. This information will serve as indisputable evidence for the claims process. Nothing should be thrown away during the mitigation process.
  
• Review Your Policy – There are many forms of homeowner’s insurance. Does yours cover water damage? You’ll want to know what types of water damage are covered under your insurance policy. For instance, some policies cover floods and sewage backups, but most do not cover gradual water damage.
  

When filing an insurance claim for water damage, there are actions you must avoid. For instance, be careful to:

• Not ever throw anything away. You need evidence for the water damage claim, so fight the urge to toss broken components or water-logged furniture.
  
• Never make permanent repairs. The insurance company will send an adjuster to examine the extent of the damage. If they notice you’ve made repairs, they will not consider the cost. They only focus on the current damage. You won’t receive compensation for the completed repairs.
  
• Not use the insurance company’s vendors if better options are available. When filing a claim, your insurance company will provide a list of approved contractors and encourage you to use such services. You are not required to, though. Use a trusted, reliable source of your own if they are better and available.
  

If you have suffered from extensive water damage, call Restoration 1 of Hunterdon County at 908-364-7854. We offer the top water damage restoration in the region.

Jovanny Galarza is the owner of Restoration 1 of Hunterdon County, an IICRC-certified company. Jovanny has years of experience and is proud to have put together a team that works together to reach goals and serve clients with five-star satisfaction.