10 Tips on Making a Successful Water Damage Insurance Claim
Few people describe making a water damage insurance claim as something they’ve enjoyed doing. That said, like most things in life, if you’re in a water damage claim situation, there are a number of things you can do to make your life easier. In this article we’ll share Paradigm Reinstatement’s 10 Top Tips on making a successful water damage insurance claim. Here they are:
1. Get the Situation Under Control
Water damage can cause havoc very quickly. So, one of the first things you must do is get the situation under control. That said, it is important that you don’t begin any restoration at this stage.
2. Get Evidence
At the earliest possible stage in your water damage journey, you should start gathering evidence. With mobile phones it is possible to take video footage and plenty of photographs so the extent of the damage you’ve experienced will be clear for all to see. While you shouldn’t delay doing what you can to prevent further damage, recording the evidence is one of your early priorities.
3. Check Your Cover
One of the first things you should do once you’ve stemmed the flow of the water and gathered initial evidence is get in touch with your insurance agent to ask for a certified copy of your insurance contract. This will show you in detail what you’re covered for and what you’re not. If you are in any doubt about what’s said in the contract, get in touch and we can help.
4. Get the Experts on Board
Your chances of making a successful water damage insurance claim are increased significantly if you work with the right team. At Paradigm Reinstatements we work with insurance companies and claimants day-in and day-out. What this means is that we understand what insurance companies require to settle claims quickly, but we also know what you need to get your property back to rights.
5. Work Out the Extent of the Damage
The problem with water damage is that it often goes beyond the obvious. You may be able to see water and assume that what you see is the full extent of the damage. Often this isn’t the case. We’ll use our expertise, knowledge and technology to make sure there are no nasty surprises lurking behind what you can see and that the insurance claim you make covers everything that needs doing.
6. Get Your Insurance Company Involved
When you get your insurance company involved, things can get confusing and frustrating. Working with Paradigm means you have someone who speaks “insurance” on hand at all times. This turns what can be a horrendous process into something much more manageable.
7. Get Estimates
Between us we’ll get estimates for your job. This means that if you want to pass that responsibility to us, you can. However, if you have your own preferred tradesmen, then you are perfectly at liberty to use them.
8. Get the Work Done
Getting the work done isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Ask anyone who has had a lingering insurance claim and they’ll tell you that much of the time is spent waiting. Because Paradigm has a strong network of contacts, we don’t only get your work done to a great standard; we get it done on time.
9. Check the Work
Once again, unless you’re familiar with what water damage can do, checking the estimates for your work and checking the actual work done can be a minefield. At Paradigm it’s part of our job to check the work that’s done and make sure it meets our exacting standards. That way no one is left disappointed.
10. Get Your Life Back to Normal
This part is down to you!
Are You Struggling With Water Damage?
If you’re facing a water damage insurance claim, our advice is – don’t go it alone. Get in touch today and get the experts firmly on your side from the start. And if you’re in the middle of a claim and you’re struggling, get in touch to see what we can do to help - it’s rarely too late to call us in. You know it makes sense - do it now.
