If you’ve discovered water damage in your Florida home, the last thing you want to be dealing with is the insurance claims process, but deal with it you must if you want to recover the funds necessary to restore and rebuild again.
While we’ll admit that filing a water damage insurance claim in Florida can be a complex process, with proper preparation and help from professionals like our attorneys at KK&P Law Firm, you can streamline the process and ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Where to Start When Filing a Water Damage Claim
Before filing a claim with your insurance company, assess the extent of the water damage to your property. Keep in mind that further damage may be hiding behind the walls and ceilings. Take photos and videos of the damage you do see so you have evidence to back up your claim.
You should also take steps to mitigate further damage. Shut off the water supply if the damage is caused by a plumbing issue, and remove excess water using towels, mops, or a wet/dry vacuum.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Next, review your insurance policy to understand your coverage, deductible, and any exclusions related to water damage. Familiarize yourself with the claims process outlined in your policy, including reporting requirements and deadlines. Insurance companies in Florida are all too happy to deny your claim, so don’t give them an inch of wiggle room by missing something like a reporting deadline.
Contact Your Insurance Company
When you report the water damage and initiate the claims process, provide detailed information about the incident, including the date, time, and cause of the damage, as well as the extent of damage and any immediate actions you took to mitigate it. Hold on to all documentation and correspondence with your insurance provider throughout the entire claims process.
Obtain Repair Estimates
Additionally, it’s helpful to gather a few repair estimates from licensed contractors to understand the full cost of repairing the water damage. This may become particularly helpful if you need to appeal a claim denial.
Contact Our Law Firm at Kandell, Kandell & Petrie with Questions
Filing an insurance claim can be an overwhelming process for homeowners, but there are steps you can take to help ensure a fair outcome and recover your rightful claim amount. If you have questions about your water damage claim or believe your claim has been wrongly denied, contact our Miami team at KK&P Law Firm to discuss your options.
