Being in Orlando or any part of Florida, you know that high storms and possibly hurricanes are coming through whether you want it to or not. You always make sure your home is as protected as possible, having the proper storm-resistant windows and batting down the shutters, but damage can still happen. In fact, water damage is the most common cause of home insurance claims, only second to hail and wind damage. If you’ve experienced it firsthand, and are now attempting to slog through the claims process, continue reading for tips and advice on your water damage insurance, and where you should go for the fastest water damage cleanup.

Types of Water Damage 

Your sewer backups, there’s a flood in your basement, the tub overflows, or a pipe burst are all examples of potential water damage to your home. Depending on the type of insurance you have and what is covered, some of these scenarios may be eligible and some may be denied. 

The biggest factor in your water damage claim is whether the problem first presented itself gradually, or was a sudden, chance accident. Gradual water damage is often denied by insurance claims, as it’s a slowly building issue that you may have been able to prevent, depending on where it was in your house and if you knew about it previously. 

Examples include leaking pipes, faucets, or plumbing that over time caused damage to your walls, floors or ceilings. Mold, rot or corrosion, as well as improper repairs or not making necessary repairs to your home can be denied claims. And if there’s water damage or seepage from the roof due to known shingles (or other deteriorating parts on the roof) that needed replacement, along with cracks in the foundation could all be issues that you were aware of, and thus the insurance company may deny you for any claims. 

Water Damage Insurance

The whole point of having insurance is to protect against any sudden or accidental damage, and insurance companies are going to hold to that extreme, even if you feel that something may not have been known previously. If it seems likely that the cause of your damaged home was from something gradual, they will most likely deny it. 

But say for example, a tree falls onto your roof, and exposes it to rain and water damage, that is a sudden accident and will be covered. And if months after that repair it is noticed that there is mold or improper repair done and water has been seeping in, that may end up being approved from your insurance company since it’s still related to your first claim of the tree. Another example is say you have a leaking pipe that suddenly bursts and causes damage to your walls. The insurance company will fix the damage to your walls but may not include fixing the pipe, since it was a slow leak that caused it to burst, and that would be a gradual damage claim. 

Sounds confusing, right? Nothing about water damage cleanup and insurance should be confusing, but since there are so many factors and different policies out there, it can make getting answers seem like running a rat race. If you’re wondering what is and isn’t covered, and are concerned about future damage, talk to your insurance agent or read over your insurance policy closely, and look for certain wording to know what’s included or excluded.    

Contact Us

Did you experience water damage recently and are trying to navigate your water damage insurance claims? Are you also trying to find a company to handle your water damage cleanup professionally and quickly? Dririte USA in Orlando can help!  Our team of highly IICRC certified water damage technicians will get your house back into tip top shape in no time! Call us 24/7!