When a pipe bursts, your insurance company may owe you money. However, you may need to fight to maximize your burst pipe insurance claim payout.
Here are our top 6 tips for maximizing the value of your burst pipe insurance claim:
Be Proactive Against Burst Pipes
The best tip for handling a burst pipe insurance claim is to spot the burst pipe as quickly as possible.
If you ignore a burst pipe for a long time, then insurers may not cover the burst pipe and resulting mold damage. If you spot a burst pipe immediately, then insurers could cover it.
Here are some of the tips for finding a burst pipe in your home:
All of the things above could indicate a pipe has burst in your home. They could also indicate other pipe-related problems, including leaking or cracks, that could lead to a burst pipe in the future.
Take Photos & Videos of Damage
If your home has a burst pipe, then document everything. The more you document today, the easier your future insurance claim will be. Take photos and videos of all damage to your home and possessions.
Make a List of Damaged Items
Your insurer must compensate you for damaged items in your home, including everything from furniture to electronics.
Make a list of everything damaged by your burst pipe. Ideally, every item on your list is accompanied by photos and videos proving the damage.
Don’t Throw Anything Away Until Insurance Approves the Claim
When a pipe bursts, you may want to throw everything away as soon as possible. However, it’s important to wait for your insurer to approve the claim before you throw anything away.
Instead of throwing your water-damaged couch into the dumpster, for example, make sure your insurer approves coverage for replacing the couch.
Negotiate with Your Insurer
Many homeowners simply accept the insurer’s initial offer. Insurers love clients like this.
Instead, negotiate the claim. Think about the offer from the insurance company. Does it seem fair to you? Does the insurer have a valid reason for denying certain aspects of your claim?
Most homeowners aren’t qualified to review the fairness of a claim. Instead, hire a public adjuster to review the claim. Public adjusters charge on contingency, which means you don’t pay until the final settlement. At this point, the insurer may charge a fixed percentage based on the extra amount added to your insurance claim.
Use All Your Insurance Coverage
Get the payout you deserve for your burst pipe insurance claim. Insurance doesn’t just cover the cost of repairing damage and replacing items. It also covers accommodation, living expenses, meals, transportation, and other costs incurred because of the burst pipe insurance claim.
If your home is unlivable because of the burst pipe incident, then your insurer must cover certain additional living expenses (ALE). Keep track of expenses and receipts during this period, then add it to your insurance claim.
Final Word: Get The Payout You Deserve for Burst Pipe Insurance Claims
Get the payout you deserve for your burst pipe insurance claim by implementing the tips above.
Or, hire a qualified public adjuster to review your claim. A good public adjuster can analyze your claim, fight for higher compensation, and ensure you receive every dollar you are owed for your claim.
Here are our top 6 tips for maximizing the value of your burst pipe insurance claim:
Be Proactive Against Burst Pipes
The best tip for handling a burst pipe insurance claim is to spot the burst pipe as quickly as possible.
If you ignore a burst pipe for a long time, then insurers may not cover the burst pipe and resulting mold damage. If you spot a burst pipe immediately, then insurers could cover it.
Here are some of the tips for finding a burst pipe in your home:
- Listen for a bubbling, whistling, banging, or clanking sound when you turn on the water in your home, or any other unusual odors
- Smell for strange odors coming from your sink or toilet when you flush (does your washing machine have an unusual smell when filling with water?)
- Look for signs of water damage and discoloration
- Look for bulging in your walls
- Check your water bill for unusually high charges
- Check for low water pressure
All of the things above could indicate a pipe has burst in your home. They could also indicate other pipe-related problems, including leaking or cracks, that could lead to a burst pipe in the future.
Take Photos & Videos of Damage
If your home has a burst pipe, then document everything. The more you document today, the easier your future insurance claim will be. Take photos and videos of all damage to your home and possessions.
Make a List of Damaged Items
Your insurer must compensate you for damaged items in your home, including everything from furniture to electronics.
Make a list of everything damaged by your burst pipe. Ideally, every item on your list is accompanied by photos and videos proving the damage.
Don’t Throw Anything Away Until Insurance Approves the Claim
When a pipe bursts, you may want to throw everything away as soon as possible. However, it’s important to wait for your insurer to approve the claim before you throw anything away.
Instead of throwing your water-damaged couch into the dumpster, for example, make sure your insurer approves coverage for replacing the couch.
Negotiate with Your Insurer
Many homeowners simply accept the insurer’s initial offer. Insurers love clients like this.
Instead, negotiate the claim. Think about the offer from the insurance company. Does it seem fair to you? Does the insurer have a valid reason for denying certain aspects of your claim?
Most homeowners aren’t qualified to review the fairness of a claim. Instead, hire a public adjuster to review the claim. Public adjusters charge on contingency, which means you don’t pay until the final settlement. At this point, the insurer may charge a fixed percentage based on the extra amount added to your insurance claim.
Use All Your Insurance Coverage
Get the payout you deserve for your burst pipe insurance claim. Insurance doesn’t just cover the cost of repairing damage and replacing items. It also covers accommodation, living expenses, meals, transportation, and other costs incurred because of the burst pipe insurance claim.
If your home is unlivable because of the burst pipe incident, then your insurer must cover certain additional living expenses (ALE). Keep track of expenses and receipts during this period, then add it to your insurance claim.
Final Word: Get The Payout You Deserve for Burst Pipe Insurance Claims
Get the payout you deserve for your burst pipe insurance claim by implementing the tips above.
Or, hire a qualified public adjuster to review your claim. A good public adjuster can analyze your claim, fight for higher compensation, and ensure you receive every dollar you are owed for your claim.