Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips (Garfield & Pitkin Counties)

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Quotes are free

When water damage occurs, most people’s first thought is filing an insurance claim so that they can get compensation for their losses.

This is an important part of the process but it can easily become overwhelming in such stressful circumstances.

At SERVPRO, we understand the importance of filing a claim quickly and accurately and we’re prepared to do everything we can to help you through the process so that you can get your life back to normal again.

The Garfield and Pitkin County areas are a thriving community, with natural attractions that draw tourists and residents alike. That makes it a perfect location for businesses like Aspen Fur & Shearling  and so many others.

As part of the community ourselves, SERVPRO understands how devastating water damage can be and how important it is to get the necessary compensation from your insurance company.

We pride ourselves in treating every customer’s property as if it were our own and we’ll do everything we can to complete every aspect of the restoration process with care.

What Is and Isn’t Covered

There are many different types of water damage and not every insurance policy covers them all. That’s why it’s a good idea to be aware of exactly what your home or business policy covers so that you know where you stand when an emergency occurs. Common types of water damage that are covered in insurance policies include:

• Water overflow from appliances
• Sudden or accidental damage caused by a burst pipe
• Water damage caused by severe weather, i.e. a tree falling on your roof or ice buildup.

Other types of damage are generally not covered by most standard policies, which means you won’t be able to receive compensation in these cases.  These types can include:

• Damage caused by lack of regular maintenance, including leaky toilets and pipes
• Sewer or septic backups or sump pump overflow.

Standard insurance policies will almost never include coverage for flood damage. That type of coverage requires a specific flood policy, which can be quite costly.

It’s always a good idea to discuss specifics of coverage with your insurance agent and investigate the cost of carrying a separate flood policy, particularly if you live in a flood prone area.

Tips for Filing Your Insurance Claim

There are several specific things to keep in mind when you are preparing to file an insurance claim for water damage:

1. Take necessary safety precautions – before filing your claim, you’ll want to take some steps to ensure the safety of your family and belongings. Make sure everyone evacuates the premises and remove any valuables to prevent further damage. Also, as quickly as possible you should stop the immediate source of the water if you can do so safely. This will prevent further water accumulation and help to mitigate damage.
2. Take photos/videos of the damage – your insurance company will require proof of the damage, so you’ll want to thoroughly document everything before the restoration process begins.
3. Avoid throwing things away immediately – while your first instinct may be to get rid of damaged or destroyed items, if you get rid of those items before documenting them it may be impossible to get compensation. Wait until after you’ve received the go ahead from your insurance company before you begin throwing things out.
4. Don’t move too quickly on repairs – you’ll also need to thoroughly document any damage, so again you shouldn’t move too fast to repair things. The better your documentation, the larger your compensation may be, which can help to mitigate the expense of repairing your property.
5. Don’t necessarily rely on your insurance company for vendor recommendations – often, your insurance company will recommend companies to use for repairs/reconstruction, but their recommendations may not be in your best interest. They’re looking to save themselves money but you need to hire a company that you know you can trust, so be sure to do your homework.

SERVPRO Puts Your Needs First

At SERVPRO, our first priority is always the best interests of our customers. 

We’ll do everything it takes to help return your home or business to its previous condition so that you can get back to normal as quickly as possible. It’s the same kind of treatment we’d want for own property, so we think you shouldn’t settle for anything less.

As part of that restoration process, we’ll take every possible step to make you whole again, including helping you to file an insurance claim so that you can get the compensation you deserve. That means thoroughly documenting everything so that you have a complete inventory and record to provide to your insurance company…but that’s only the beginning of our approach.

We’ll also take steps to help mitigate further damage, including responding to your call 24 hours a day/7 days a week and boarding up windows or covering damaged roofs with tarps. Once we’ve done a complete walkthrough of your property and developed a plan for the restoration process, we’ll begin as quickly as possible.

Our water damage restoration includes quick removal of all standing water, thorough drying of all surfaces and making any necessary repairs.

This can include replacing drywall, removing damaged carpeting and carpet pads, repairing warped flooring and repairing roofs and structural supports that have been compromised by water damage.

The Restoration Company You Can Trust

The professionals at SERVPRO understand how stressful and emotional the aftermath of a water related emergency can be, so we make it our business to help you through the restoration process as much as possible.

We have the training and equipment to handle any size job and we’re part of the community, so you know you can trust us to treat you right. We live and work in the Garfield & Pitkin County area ourselves, so helping our neighbors means a lot to us too.

From immediately answering your initial call to assessing the damage and drawing up a comprehensive plan of action, we’ll put the SERVPRO touch on every part of the restoration process.

We’ll go over the plan for your property with you and give you a detailed explanation of exactly what we’re going to do. We’ll also do our best to determine what can be restored and what is damaged beyond salvaging so that you’re prepared to file an accurate insurance claim.

The Help You Need When You Need It Most

Water related emergencies can strike suddenly and without warning and when they do they can leave you feeling helpless and in over your head. There’s no need to feel that way when help is just a phone call away with the professionals of SERVPRO. We’re ready to respond faster to any disaster and we’ll do everything we can to help you file your insurance claim so that you can breathe easier.

It’s important to know who to count on when you’re faced with water damage and the headache of dealing with your insurance company. We understand that all too well, which is why we’re prepared to provide detailed proof of your damages and an accurate estimate of repair costs so that you can get a claim filed and start the process of receiving financial compensation as quickly as possible.

At SERVPRO we take pride in restoring your property to its previous condition and helping to keep our community healthy and thriving. So when you are most in need of help, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO, the name you know you can count on for professional water damage restoration in the Garfield and surrounding areas.

We look forward to helping you any way we can.
Chafika and James Landers