Insurance claims for homeowners that are water related can be tricky to deal with, as most individuals don’t really know what is covered by their insurance policy until they need to file a claim for damage. There are some things that you should know about Allstate insurance water damage claims and claims made to other insurance companies that can make it much easier to deal with water damage in your home.
Being prepared with relevant information is the best way to handle your water damage claim, so it pays to be informed when purchasing a homeowners policy. When you purchase homeowners insurance, be sure to ask about what is covered and what is excluded when it comes to water damage. Keep in mind that policies will differ greatly from one company to the next, so take the time to understand yours fully before disaster hits.
In many cases, homeowners insurance covers water damage claims that result from storms and emergency situations, such as a broken pipe or water heater. You typically won’t be paid for claims that are the result of neglect, normal wear and tear and other cases where the homeowner could have prevented the damage by taking care of routine home maintenance. Ask your insurance company for specific details of what is covered if you aren’t sure.
Depending on the policy that you have and the type of damage you have sustained, you may or may not be covered in cases where the flooding has occurred as the result of an equipment failure (i.e. a broken water heater failing or dishwasher breaking down and flooding the kitchen), a sewage back up, or water from a flooded river. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take lots of pictures of the damage, be prepared to discuss your claim with your insurance agent and be patient with the claims process. By keeping a clear head and being prepared, you can ensure the smoothest possible flood cleanup.