We all hope that the worst doesn’t happen, but sometimes tragedy happens. With storms only getting stronger and stronger, the chances of flooding occurring in your home are at an all-time high.
It’s important that you understand, as a responsible homeowner, the steps you need to take following a flooding situation. Flooding in your home can be devastating, but with the proper actions taken, you can prevent serious effects on your life and bank account.
For example, knowing how to document damage to your home can be key to making the flood insurance claim process run smoothly. If you can make your claim quickly and correctly, you can get your life back on track in an efficient manner.
Read on, and we’ll walk you through what you need to know about documenting flood damage.
Immediately Following A Flood
The storm has passed and fairer weather has returned to your area. You may have fleed your home to a second location, or you may have waited out the storm from inside the home.
Whatever the situation, you’re likely first seeing the results and damage of the storm at this point. This can be an overwhelming moment, where the extent of damage can feel unfixable. It’s important that you stay determined and work through this because the steps you take next are very important.
First and foremost, ensure that your home is safe to inspect. If you’ve fled an area, don’t return until local law enforcement has deemed the area safe to enter. There could be a number of dangerous factors that you are unaware of. For example, fallen power lines in the water can pose great danger.
Once you get the go-ahead from the officials, you can return and inspect your home.
After getting a look at the damage, you’ll need to inform your insurance company that you plan on filing a claim. This should be the very first thing you do. If you can, it’s recommended that you make the notification in writing, so that there will be a record you can refer to if need be.
Making a claim can take a little bit of processing time, so it’s important to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.
Documenting Flood Damage In Your Home
The most important step you can take is the proper documentation of the damage in your home. How can you ensure you’re getting the evidence you need to make a proper claim?
You’ll want to take many, many photos and videos. Do a thorough walk-through of your home, and take photos and videos of damaged areas from as many angles as possible. The idea should be this: you don’t want anyone to be able to ask a question about the damage and be unable to answer that question by showing them this footage.
If any appliances, electronics, or personal belongings have been damaged in the flooding, take photographs of these as well. It’s a good idea to also keep documentation or photographs of their bar codes and IDs just in case.
If possible, try to retain physical materials as evidence as well. For example, if the carpet has been soaked through and needs to be replaced, try to keep a sample of the damaged carpet that you could show your insurance agent.
All of this evidence can be key in getting your claim processed quickly and efficiently.
Other Forms Of Documentation
Documenting the damage done to your home should be your highest priority. But it isn’t the only form of documentation you’ll want to have on hand.
As the repairs process begins in your home, make sure you’re keeping track of all receipts, invoices, and other forms of accounting. If there is anything related to the flood that is costing you money, make sure you have the proper documentation for it.
If your home has been made uninhabitable as a result of the damage, you may also be eligible to receive additional living expenses depending on your insurance. If this is the case for you, make sure to keep proper documentation of these expenses as well.
That means the cost of a hotel, of eating out, and of other such out-of-home expenses should have proper paper documentation.
All of this documentation should be presented to your insurance agent so they can be considered alongside your claim. There’s no guarantee you will see each and every cost accounted for, but giving your agent the best idea of your situation will likely produce the best result.
Initial repairs to your home can be done prior to a representative from your insurance agency visiting. These repairs include anything that needs to be done to make the home safe and habitable again. It is a good idea to also take photos and videos of these repairs taking place.
Other more permanent repairs can wait to take place until after an insurance adjuster has visited the home and evaluated the property. Having thorough documentation in hand during this visit can greatly improve the efficiency of your inspection.
Understanding How To Document Flood Damage
If you’ve experienced a flood, you likely want to get your life back on track as soon as possible. Knowing how to document flood damage can be key in making an insurance claim process run smoothly, meaning you can get back to normalcy fast.
Have more questions about flood insurance claims? Give us a call anytime for immediate assistance.
**This blog provides a brief overview of the terms and phrases used within the insurance industry. These definitions are not applicable in all states or for all insurance and financial products. This is not an insurance contract. Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read your official policy for full details about coverage. These definitions do not alter or modify the terms of any insurance contract.