If you’ve recently experienced water damage, it’s important to understand how the insurance claims process works. Filing a water damage insurance claim properly can make your recovery smoother and help ensure you receive the coverage you deserve
After you experience a property loss, it’s critical to quickly consult with a professional and certified restoration company. You should also review your own insurance policy and consult with your insurance agent or a licensed public adjuster to confirm if your claim is covered.
Here’s what you need to know, from understanding what’s typically covered to taking the right steps after a loss.
Standard homeowners’ policies provide coverage for several types of water damage if the cause is “sudden and accidental”. This may include:
Such as a burst pipe, ruptured water heater, or overflowing sink/toilet.
Like a malfunctioning dishwasher or ice maker line in your freezer.
If a covered peril like wind or hail causes a roof leak, and water enters your home, the resulting damage is usually covered.
Water damage caused by efforts to put out a fire is generally covered.
This requires a separate flood insurance policy, often through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Damage that occurs over time due to unresolved issues or poor maintenance, such as a continuous, slow leak you've ignored.
City and township sewer backups are often not covered unless you've purchased an additional "sewer/drain backup" endorsement. Make sure you hire a licensed master plumber to inspect your sewer to determine if the city sewer backed up or if there was a temporary blockage within the sewer line, so you can correctly report the loss to your insurance carrier.
While the damage caused by a burst pipe might be covered, the cost to repair or replace the broken pipe itself often isn't.
If there are electrical risks, turn off electricity to the affected area. Evacuate if the leak is severe or threatens structural integrity.
If there are electrical risks, turn off electricity to the affected area. Evacuate if the leak is severe or threatens structural integrity.
Our team documents every affected area of your home with detailed photos and videos before, during, and after mitigation. We capture wide shots, close-ups of damaged materials, and any affected personal property to create a clear record for your insurance adjuster. This thorough visual documentation strengthens your claim and minimizes disputes over coverage.
Hidden water damage isn’t always visible. FastPro uses professional-grade moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to detect and document trapped moisture in walls, floors, and ceilings. We provide this data directly to your insurance company to validate the full scope of damage and the necessity of our drying and mitigation services.
FastPro prepares all estimates in Xactimate, the same software used by most insurance carriers. This ensures our pricing aligns with industry standards and streamlines approval for your claim. Our detailed, line-by-line estimates clearly outline all labor, equipment, and materials needed, making it easy for your insurer to understand and approve the work.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to the FastPro team!
