How to Make a Successful Water Leak Insurance Claim?

Almost every homeowner facing water leaks starts calculating future expenses that are inevitable as water is powerful armor which can damage almost everything starting from electricity and ending with concrete, wood and iron. To reduce costs of repair and renovation after you have dealt with the leakage itself, it's necessary to make a successful water leak insurance claim. We have collected some tips on how to do that.

It's not a secret that insurance companies are not likely to feel pity and they hardly part with money, including the situations when the cause of the claim is a water leak. Well, even though you have to deal with such scrooges, there are some methods that may come in handy when making a successful water leak insurance claim. Let's check them out.

First of all, let's determine the types of water leaks a standard homeowners insurance policy cover. You can apply for compensation in the following situations:

• If you have accidental/sudden water discharge.
• If your home or appliance has got damaged due to storms and other natural disasters.
• If there is an accidental sewer overflow or backup (an endorsement is required).

In case you have additional flood insurance, you'll be covered in case of a flood as well. This means that you will be compensated not only for the damage caused by the leak itself and the consequences it has led to, but, also, you will be paid some money to repair the flooded property damaged by the water.

Insurance companies are always suspicious of the very fact of a leak: it is no secret that it can arise as a result of the owner's carelessness. And, in this case, it will not be easy to claim compensation from the insurance company. Therefore, make sure that the following issues concern your case:

• The source of the leak, whether it is a washing machine, a pipe or an air conditioner, has been subject to service in a timely manner. In this case, the serviceman can notice a weak spot and recommend repairing/replacing it.
• Your home appliances, which have become the source of the leak, are free of rust. Traces of rust are direct evidence that the leak started a long time ago, and it is you who is to blame for this, from the point of view of the insurance company.
• There are no traces of mold or mildew on the equipment and pipes - this is also evidence that you are guilty of the fact of the leak, and it is not in your favor as well. Despite the fact that mold can appear in the course of as little as 3 days, this is an indicator of the remoteness of the leak. Thus, you will fail to convince the insurance company that the leak happened all of a sudden.

Separately, it is worth considering such cases as roof and foundation leaks. In case of roofs, the most realistic chance to receive compensation from the insurance company is if its damage has been caused by natural disasters. But, it's not all that simple. If a leak has occurred after rain, it can be considered as a consequence of poor roof maintenance. And, certainly, insurance companies do not undertake to compensate for the cases of flooding of the foundation caused by cracks in it. In this case, all the costs fall on the shoulders of the owners, who missed the moment when it was necessary to renovate the house. But let's not talk about the bad; let's look at the options when it is quite realistic to make a successful water leak insurance claim.

Depending on the scenario, there are several ways on how to make a successful water leak insurance claim.

How to Make a Dishwasher Leak Insurance Claim?

Even the most reliable dishwasher tends to leak after a while. In case it happens to you, you should first call a repairman to stop the leak so you can make a dishwasher leak insurance claim. At the time, do not forget to document everything. Take photos and videos of the leak and the damage it has caused; ask a technician to make a complex leak inspection report. After you have called a repairman, do not forget to call your insurance company ASAP to make it send its representative for a claim.

Be sure that you do all these routines quickly as every minute matters. If you want to make a successful dishwasher leak insurance claim be sure in the following circumstances:

• Your dishwasher has not been leaking for a long time.
• There is no rust and mold on its body.
• The dishwasher is leaking not because of any misuse, which could be using unsuitable detergents, overloading etc.

If these factors are not true, there is a good chance you'll be compensated. Yet, do not forget that a standard homeowners insurance policy covers only leak repairs and damages it has caused. In case of a flood or mold, you need to have an additional flood insurance policy.

How to Make a Washing Machine Leak Insurance Claim?

Leaking washer is among the most popular causes of insurance claims concerning water leakage. To make a washing machine leak insurance claim, the procedures are similar to the ones described above. There is just one more tip you should know. As washers often get out of order and leak due to pipe damage, a consultation with a professional plumber will be necessary. So, do not hesitate to call a plumbing company to get pipes inspected.

How to Make an Air Conditioner Leak Insurance Claim?

As air conditioners are quite vulnerable, their leak is not a surprise. If you imply your air conditioner is leaking because of the installer's mistake, it is better to call an independent expert to inspect and document the leak. Then you can make an air conditioner leak insurance claim and apply for compensation both to your insurance company and to the court.

It is also necessary to document all the issues concerning your leaking AC before an insurance agent visits you. As usual, insurance companies request for a pro's documentation so it's time to call a repairman or apply for a public adjuster's services.

How to Make a Pipe Leak Insurance Claim?

Nothing could be as disastrous as leaking pipes. If it has happened to your house, do not wait. Just call a technician to stop the leakage and to document his inspection. It will help you to make a leaking pipe insurance claim that will not be denied.

How to Make a Roof Leak Insurance Claim?

As usual, insurance companies compensate immediately and without delay only for the roof leaks that are caused by natural factors such as storms, intensive rains, trees fallen on it, etc. To make a roof leak insurance claim, prove that your roof has not been leaking before the occurrence of the problem. Just apply for your residential repairman's inspection to document the case of the leak as only sudden leaks are approved by a standard homeowners insurance policy. If the case is quite tangled, the assistance of a public adjuster may help solve the problem and get compensated.

How to Make a Pool Leak Insurance Claim?

Pool leaking is a problem that can happen in every household. In case your pool is leaking, it is of great importance to prove that:

• It has been carefully maintained and serviced in a timely manner.
• The leak has appeared suddenly.
• The leak has not appeared due to any misuse.

A public adjuster can help you prove whatever is required and can make a pool leak insurance claim with almost 100% coverage.

How to Make a Water Heater Leak Insurance Claim?

In general, making a water heater leak insurance claim is quite similar to other claims. Yet, you should mention whether your property has got damaged by hot water because of such a leak, which could increase the amount of the compensation. To prove the damage, take photos and videos of the damaged property and the heater itself. You'll also need an expert's conclusion, so, call a technician and hire a public adjuster to document the damage properly.

How to Make a Fridge Leak Insurance Claim?

Since a fridge is an indispensable appliance in every home, its leaking could be especially sad and costly. To avoid extra payments, make a refrigerator leak insurance claim. If your fridge has been working properly and you have been taking care of it by performing regular maintenance, it will be easy to make a fridge leak insurance claim. The procedure is quite the same as the previous ones.

How to Make an Ice Maker Leak Insurance Claim?

That device is not a matter of common insurance claims. Yet, it can also leak. To make an ice maker leak insurance claim, you'll need a technician's help, who will diagnose and document the results. You should also ask him to inspect your freezer because, if the ice maker leak has damaged the freezer, it could also be compensated.

Water Damage Public Adjuster

Even if the leak is obviously sudden and accidental, it can be difficult to prove it to the insurance company. In this case, the help of a water damage public adjuster will be indispensable. How can they help you? Water damage public adjusters are always on the side of the applicant, that is, they are meant to protect your interests when you apply for compensation to the insurance company. The task of any public adjuster is to professionally assess the requirements and wishes of the policyholder and identify how they correspond to the real situation, but it is not only limited to it. Water damage public adjusters can also be helpful in some other useful ways:

• Professional study of the damage caused to you by water leaks.
• Assessment of every damaged item in the house.
• Representing the interests of the policyholder at the insurance company, including preparation of documents for filing an insurance claim.
• Interaction with representatives of the insurance company on behalf of the client.
• Assistance in reopening a claim, if the amount of the compensation has been underestimated.

Why should a water damage public adjuster be entrusted with these tasks? The fact is that such specialists have several important features at once, which helps them to successfully deal with insurance claims even in the most difficult situations. Each water damage public adjuster has some plumbing experience and knowledge, technical skills, experience in assessing home appliances, building design and water damage. In addition, each water damage public adjuster is a government licensed entity. Any insurance company has a very high level of trust in such a specialist. Therefore, if you find a leak and want to get compensated for the damage caused by water, do not act rashly, hire a water damage public adjuster - they will do all the work for you, and you will get compensation and start fixing the damage.