Water damage insurance claims depend on a few different criteria. Ultimately, that’s a question you’ll have to clarify with your insurance company. However, we can tell you that the viability of water damage insurance claims depends primarily on what caused the damage (storm, burst pipe, plumbing malfunction, localized flood, sump pump failure, etc.). Some insurance policies will outline scenarios that will NOT be covered without specific riders like flood insurance or sump pump failure insurance.

Contacting a restoration contractor and your insurance adjuster at the same time is a good idea because the restoration contractor will help make sure that the water extraction and dry out will prevent further damage after the initial event, and then can work on documenting the event so your carrier has ample information to determine coverage. This extends to the repairs process after a water event, so that your carrier can determine the full scope of the claim to make sure you can be fully taken care of. This is an important part of the process because if coverage isn’t determined from the start of the repairs, homeowners may be left with costly repair bills.

That depends on the types of materials that were affected by water. Drywall, carpet, and hardwood floors will take longer to dry than other materials in the space. We use moisture meters throughout the process and in many different locations to gauge the moisture levels and will continue to adjust our fans and dehumidifiers to achieve an efficient but effective dry time. The bare minimum of “three days to dry” may only produce a surface dry but can still leave behind moisture levels that create an ideal environment for mold to grow.

Most homeowners start trying to remove the water themselves before they realize they’ll need to contact their insurance company about a claim so they can call in a water damage restoration company. However, standing water around anything with a power cord or outlet or sagging ceilings make the area unsafe. Also, many insurance claims require documentation of the loss BEFORE any work is done, including removing the water. Always take plenty of photos of the damage you see before taking any action to start cleaning up the mess. Mr. Restore will be able to back up your insurance claim scope with the necessary technical documentation.