However, many of the homes in the area were built in the 1960s and 1970s and were subject to different and less stringent building codes. And while many residents have updated these homes to reflect modern tastes and finishes, the pipes below the surface are original from decades ago. These pipes, which were made of copper more than 50 years ago, are beginning to fail due to corrosion and weathering and causing terrible damage to many homes across Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, South Miami and Coral Gables, among others.
So what do you do if a pipe bursts below your South Florida home and what immediate steps can you take to protect your right to fair and just compensation? Below are Acle Law Firm’s Top Five Tips for filing a water insurance claim in Pinecrest, Florida.
- Document Everything
Evidence is the key to securing fair compensation from your insurance company. Take pictures and video of all the damage, no matter how minor. If you fail to properly document what you need, you may not be able to receive payment to repair or replace what was lost.
Take all the pictures and video you can before moving anything or begin to clean up. Keep any personal property items to show the adjuster once he or she is on site. Additionally, write down everything you know about the incident including if it was the result of someone else’s negligence – a plumber, a neighbor, a worker inside your home – so your insurance company can contact them.
Be sure to keep an eye out for cracks in your foundation or walls, destroyed flooring, damaged furniture and personal items, broken windows and other damage that should be reported right away.
- Call Your Insurance Company Right Away
As soon as you can, call your insurance company to inform them of what has occurred. Have your insurance policy number on hand and answer any questions they may have about the incident in your home. It’s important to remember to not use the word “flood,” since most general homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Ask them specifically what the next steps are and document who you spoke to, the date/time and what the conversation entailed.
- Prevent Additional Damage
As a homeowner, you have the right to protect and prevent further damage to your home. These count as emergency repairs and will not affect your ability to seek compensation for the damages that have occurred. Remember, the insurance company will not provide any additional compensation for damage that has occurred after the initial claim, so do whatever is necessary to prevent additional damage.
- Review Your Insurance Policy
Now is a good time to read and review your insurance policy. You’ll want to become familiar with the type of coverage you are entitled to and how much compensation you may receive. Most insurance policies are fairly complicated, but the better informed you are, the better prepared you will be to fight your case.
- File an Insurance Claim
Once you’ve called your insurance company and provided them with all the necessary documentation, you should file an official claim with your insurance adjuster. Make sure to include any initial documentation you have made regarding the damage plus the photos, video and receipts from the initial cleanup and remediation. Your insurance company will send an adjuster to your home usually within a few days to discuss your options and review the damages.
If you have sustained damage and losses in your home or business following water damage, or are currently involved in a claim that is being denied, underpaid or delayed, contact our Miami property insurance claim attorneys at the Acle Law Firm today at 305-447-4667 for a free consultation.