Word Count: 572 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 6:15 AM
Water Damage Related Insurance Claims
Water damage is quite annoying and equally disturbing is the process to claim insurance. Actually the insurance reimbursement claim for water damage is delicate and complicated. You need to know the in and out of all the policies and thoroughly understand what is covered in the policy and under what conditions. You need to educate yourselves on what exactly the insurance policy is all about to avoid any trouble later.
No doubt, the insurance takes care of the water damage but not everything comes under this section. You can claim insurance amount for water damage caused by overflowing sink, bath tubs, broken pipe, leaking roof and water seeping from faulty washing machine and other appliances. As a matter of fact even these factors are subjected to certain conditions and based on the nature exact reason for water inflow only, you ca raise a claim.
For instance, if the pipe bursts overnight because of freezing weather and it creates havoc, the insurance company can be approached. However, if the mistake is on your part as in not maintaining the property and shirking the responsibility of looking after the functionality of the pipe, then you are not eligible for the claim. If you are on a vacation and failed to turn off the tap and do necessary safety precautions before leaving the house, the insurance company will not come to your help by any means.
Strangely, the insurance company is liable to pay only for the damage caused by overflowing water from the washing machine and does not take any initiative in refunding the amount for repairing the machine. Similarly, if the roof of the house is damaged by any sudden and unforeseen situations like falling of tree, heavy wind and rain and hailstones, you can claim the insurance but not for circumstances where in the roof broke because of lack of maintenance.
To avail the insurance amount in case of water damage caused by floods and overflowing river, you must have already insured the house under National Flood Insurance Program. Its not just overflowing river but also the water seepage and sewer backups do not come under insurance program. In order to be on safer side it is suggested that all the houses and buildings that do not even come under flood zones also are insured under federal National Flood policy to be eligible for claiming compensation in case of any flash flood and tidal surges.
It must be noted that water seepage in the basement is not regarded as fit for claiming insurance as this is strictly viewed as maintenance flaw and not an accident. The sole responsibility lies on the house owner to take necessary precautionary measures like sealing the wall with water resistant materials and fitting pumps to remove the excess water.
There is lot more to know about the details of insurance claim on water damage and the intricate details of each and every option should be adequately understood before filing a claim. It is better to seek the guidance of a professional agent to take correct measures in the beginning without being trapped by the various loopholes in the policies.
Clearly, water damage related insurance claims are complex. Professional water damage restoration experts in both mopping up the mess as well as navigating the complexities of what's usually covered and what's not.
About the Author
Wendi Watson is a homeowner advocate on water damage for Ridgebury, CT sewer back up cleaning and Danbury, Springdale CT sewer backup clean up
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