Water Claim Public Adjuster
Lioness Claims in experienced in many types of water losses. Sudden and accidental water loss is water damage that happens without warning, or that you couldn’t have predicted. From a reverse osmosis system failure, supply line leak, or even sewer issue, Lioness Claims can help. There are two different classifications of water damage that can occur. A water loss becomes what is called “Category 3” after the water has been sitting for three days with no mitigation, or if the water is sewage, it is automatically considered Category 3 water damage. If the water is considered grey water (for instance from unclean water such as a washing machine) and sits for several days, it also becomes Category 3 water damage. Within moments of water loss, the ceilings, walls, and floors of your home can be damaged along with expensive electrical systems and your belongings. Also, the moisture from water damage can lead to mold growth, making your home unsafe. The immediate need to clean up and control as much damage as possible may delay you in the beginning but organizing a plan for the handling of your water damage claim will be vital to restoring your home to pre-loss condition.
Important: It is your DUTY as the insured to mitigate any further damage IMMEDIATELY. Take photos of the damage and document when the loss occurred and any contents that were damaged by water. Failure to do so may give the insurance carrier an excuse to deny your water claim. So, as soon as a water loss occurs, the most important thing you need to do is begin proper emergency mitigation. Removal and dry out should begin immediately. How a water damage loss is handled within the first 24 hours is critical to the outcome and settlement amount of your claim. Also, keeping home inspection paperwork and performing documented yearly maintenance will bode well in your favor when dealing with the insurance carrier.
For those who have had no prior experience in handling insurance claims, the policy language can be very confusing at best. To receive fair compensation for a loss, it is advantageous to have an experienced public adjuster advising you, as the method for handling such losses can be highly technical and may have an impact on the way the settlement is determined.
After you have a water loss, you will need to get a plumber and a mitigation company out. You may have to pay for some out-of-pocket expenses up-front to prevent further damage and mold growth. After hiring a mitigation company they install blowers and vacuum up the water or sewage and begin drying out the affected areas. If your damage occurs over a weekend and you are unsure of who to contact for water mitigation, you can contact us for help.
No insurance carrier will cover long term damage. For example, if you find that your supply line has been slowly leaking from under your sink and has been creating mold, that usually will not be covered. It is important for you to periodically check your supply lines under your sinks and toilets to make sure there is no corrosion or leaks.
Mana block water systems are also typical points of failure. Since mana blocks are still within the current code, we run into these issues quite often as well.
Law and Ordinance or code upgrades can be purchased as an additional item on your policy. If you have this coverage on your policy, that will allow for plumbing or other necessary improvements to bring the structure up to current code. If the walls are already cut open to fix a water leak, usually insurance will cover code upgrades at that time. Older homes typically should have law and ordinance coverage for your protection. You should review your policy and contact your insurance agent to ensure you have the correct coverages on your policy.
Our team of public adjusters will work on your behalf and negotiate with your insurance company for maximum claim recovery. We enjoy helping people during a devastating time in your life and strive to ease the process for you. As your trusted advisors, we are fluent in insurance policy terms and conditions. Lioness Claims will evaluate and document your property’s water damage in full detail to make sure you receive the optimum payout.
Contact us today to review your policy or if you have any questions regarding your coverages on your home insurance policy. We are available 24/7 by phone at 702-369-1188 or 407-546-6377.
