Hurricane Irma Insurance Tip: Water Damage Claims
After a hurricane like Irma, insurance companies often ask homeowners to explain how property damage occurred. How damage is described and how it is documented can have a significant impact on whether a claim is covered, delayed, or denied.
Why Word Choice Matters in Insurance Claims
Many homeowners and commercial property insurance policies:
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Cover certain types of water damage
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Exclude or limit coverage for flooding
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Define “flood” differently than homeowners commonly understand
Because of this, policyholders should:
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Describe what happened, not guess at insurance terminology
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Allow the insurer to inspect and determine the cause
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Avoid speculating about exclusions or policy definitions
So, for example, if a pipe breaks in your house causing water to cover the floor and damage your property, it is not a flood, and you should not call it one. How you describe the cause of your damages could have a big impact on whether your insurance company covers or tries to deny your claim. You should just describe the damage, and allow the insurance company to inspect and reach their own conclusions.
To learn more about Wites & Rogers’s Insurance Claims Team please visit our Insurance Attorney page.
