Dealing with a water leak inside your house causes you enough stress when filing an insurance claim, especially in Florida, considering the fact that most water damage is caused by leaks because of our climatic conditions.
The following guide outlines in a step-by-step way how one will deal with their water leak insurance claim.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
An initial step to taking any further action relating to making a water leak insurance claim is to assess the extent of the damage. The longer you wait to contain it, the worse the problem will get. Therefore, as soon as you see it, try to contain it by shutting off the supply of water if possible; then take pictures or record videos of the affected areas such as floors, walls, furniture, and any personal item that got ruined.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Provider
After you have recorded the damage, call your insurance provider as soon as possible. For Florida policies, reporting water damage as soon as possible is usually necessary to prevent problems with an insurance claim. Give your insurance company all of the information on the leak, including what happened and when you first realized there was a problem, along with the evidence you have accumulated.
Step 3: Submit the Claim
You will have to fill out a claim form issued by your insurer. This document will request the following: your policy number, cause of the leak, and damage. Accuracy while describing the situation is essential; having an attorney or public adjuster help may result in not missing some critical details that would otherwise influence the outcome of your claim.
Step 4: Insurer’s Adjuster Consultation
The insurer will send an adjuster to inspect your property for the damage and assess the amount he can pay. The assignee visits your premises and gets first-hand information about the damage. It will be prudent to have your attorney or Jenkins Law professional accompany the adjuster during the inspection for adequate evaluation of your claim.
Step 5: Settlement Negotiation
Following the adjuster’s assessment, the insurance company will offer a proposal for settlement. If the offered amount does not cover your full repair costs, Jenkins Law will assist you in negotiating a better payout with the insurance company. Our team of legal experts is skilled at dealing with insurance companies to ensure that your claim is handled fairly.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Anne is a Homeowners Insurance Attorney in St Petersburg FL. She focuses on insurance claims and property damage. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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