The first 24 hours are critical for the outcome of the water damage insurance claim. This is the reason why it is important that you get a professional for Los Angeles water damage insurance claims with you right from the start. So, when the insurance company sends their adjuster to assess the damage, you would have a professional representing your interests as well.
There are a few things that you need to do right away to ensure that you get the claim that you deserve. For example, it is important that you remove the baseboards and other finishing from the walls. It is uncommon for insurance company adjusters to bring that up and pay out a lesser insurance amount, citing negligence. Likewise, the wet carpet also needs to be removed to avoid further damage to the floor.
In most cases, you would be allowed to get a professional contractor for water damage restoration to help you with the emergency restoration work. However, there are a few things that you should do. You should NOT sign any authorization forms with the contractor without an agreement from the insurance company or the adjuster appointed by them approving the charges. Our Los Angeles water damage insurance adjuster will help you through the process.
After receiving your call for a claim, the first thing the insurance company will do is send an adjuster over to assess the damage. Our adjuster for Los Angeles water damage insurance claims will make sure that all the proper protocols are followed. For example, it is important that equipment like moisture detectors, hygrometers, and infrared cameras are used to determine the exact location of the water and the extent of the damage caused to you. Failure to do that will result in improper assessment and might lead you toward getting a lower payout.
When getting the water damage restoration work done, it is important that you take steps to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If this is not done, then the insurance company will examine the claim according to the mold provisions and limitations of the subject policy. It is important that you understand the policy and take the necessary steps and avoid pitfalls during the assessment and remediation process. Our team will help you with that as well.
Most homeowners don’t understand the fundamental difference between water damage and flood damage. Most homeowner policies cover water damage, but they don’t necessarily cover damage caused by floods. In most cases, you will have to buy separate flood insurance.
It is important that you understand the definition of floods. Most private insurance companies follow the definition used by the National Flood Insurance Program, which defines a flood as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more areas of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from an overflow of inland or tidal waters; unusual and rapid accumulation or run-off of surface waters from any source; mud flow.
There are intricate details that play a critical role in the claims settlement. Our team of insurance adjusters will help you understand all the details after reviewing the policy.
Done Right Restoration brings its experience of one and a half decade in helping homeowners like you to get the claims that they deserve. Here are some of the ways in which we can help you throughout the insurance process –
Insurance settlement often takes time. While the process is underway, you might need financial assistance to meet your day-to-day expenses like staying at a hotel and making purchases of items that you wouldn’t have required if you weren’t facing water damage. In that case, we will help you get advance payments faster, right when you need the most.
In most cases, you will have a dedicated adjuster, who would take the time and effort to understand your requirements and then act as your point of contact for all things related to insurance.
The ‘official’ assessment is done by the adjuster from the insurance company. However, our Los Angeles water damage insurance adjuster would ensure that a proper assessment of the damage is made and you would get the right settlement.
Before the official damage assessment, we will make our own assessment of the damage. This is done to make sure that the damages are properly categorized so that you get the maximum benefit out of your coverage.
It is important that you have someone who will be in constant touch with the insurance company and take all the necessary steps to speed up the claims process. This is exactly what we help you with.
At Done Right Restoration, we follow a specific process that would help you get the claims settled on time.
We recommend that you give us a call right after you have called the insurance company. Once you set the ball rolling on the claims process, you will need our help. It is recommended that you book an appointment with the insurance company adjuster after a few days of making the call.
Our team will review your policy. We will also help you make an inventory of the damaged items. The damages will be categorized into the type of items that is covered by your insurance.
Next, the insurance company adjuster will visit your property and make the assessment. Our adjuster will work with them and make sure the damage is assessed in the right way.
At the next stage, the claims will be negotiated with the insurer. Based on the final negotiation, the final settlement will be made and the check will be delivered to you.
Here is an overview of the process of filing for a water damage insurance claim and the time it takes at each stage:
| Step | Description | Time Taken |
| Step 1: Notify the Insurance Company | Contact your insurance company to report the water damage and initiate the claim process. Provide details of the damage, including the cause, extent, and location. | 30 minutes – 1 hour |
| Step 2: Documentation | Document the water damage by taking photos or videos of the affected areas, damaged belongings, and any other evidence. Keep receipts and records of expenses related to temporary repairs or accommodations. | 1-2 hours |
| Step 3: Assessment by Insurance Adjuster | An insurance adjuster will be assigned to assess the water damage, investigate the cause, and determine the coverage and amount of the claim. They may visit the property to inspect and evaluate the damage. | 1-2 weeks (depending on adjuster’s availability) |
| Step 4: Review of Claim | The insurance company will review the claim, including the adjuster’s report, documentation, and policy coverage. They may request additional information or documentation. | 1-2 weeks (depending on the insurance company’s processes) |
| Step 5: Claim Approval and Payment | Once the claim is approved, the insurance company will issue a payment for the covered amount, minus any deductibles or depreciation. The timing of payment may vary based on the insurance company’s processes and payment methods. | 1-2 weeks (depending on the insurance company’s processes) |
| Step 6: Repairs and Restoration | You can start repairing and restoring the water damage once you receive the insurance payment. Hire contractors, obtain necessary permits, and oversee the repair process. Keep records of all repair expenses and receipts for reimbursement. | Timeline varies based on the extent of damage and repair process |
To determine an item’s actual cash value, insurance companies use the following method of calculation:
Step 1. The cost to replace a damaged item with the same or similar one (replacement cost).
Step 2. Subtract depreciation from the item’s replacement cost.
The amount an insurance company will deduct for depreciation is determined also based on the lifespan of the item which is to be replaced.
You will find the Water Damage Insurance Claim List in your homeowners insurance policy under “Duties After a Loss” (or similar wording).
Additional living expensesor ALE might cover the following items but are not limited to:
