Any kind of water-induced damage, like flooding or sewer backup, can be expensive to fix. Even tiny pipe leaks in your home can wreak havoc if left unchecked. While insurance can serve as a monetary shield, any sort of delay in filing a claim could make the repair and recovery a hassle. So here are a few tips to help you navigate the process of filing a water damage claim:

File a claim immediately
Once you notice water logging or any such issue on your property, the first thing to do is to file a water damage claim. For this, it is important to record and list all the damage, following which you should contact your insurance company and file the claim. The longer you delay the filing process, the longer it will take for you to receive a check for the repairs from the company. A prompt initiative could also ensure that the claim adjuster witnesses and surveys the water damage sooner before it dries up.

Document everything
It is absolutely crucial to document everything irrespective of the severity of the damage. Maintaining photographic and video evidence will ensure that you get the most out of your water damage claim. It is crucial that the evidence is recorded before you start cleaning up and moving your stuff so that a rebuttal can be made later on if any item has been left unaccounted for during the claims process. If the water damage was caused by someone else, you should document their basic contact information to share with the insurance company. After this step, you should move the undamaged assets and furniture out of the way to prevent further harm.

Drain standing water
To prevent the damage from spreading further, it is essential to drain any standing water on your property. However, ensure that you have meticulously documented the waterlogging and all the damage to the property and goods beforehand. Documenting the standing water will help with your water damage claim later if the claims officer is unable to witness it during their analysis.

Keep the damaged items
During the water damage claim filing process, the officer assessing your property will need to examine the extent of damage, and so you will also have to hold on to the affected items at least until the adjuster surveys them. It is important that they witness everything and add it to your claim. The items would include everything that has suffered minor, major, and irreparable harm in the waterlogging. Maintaining a list of home contents can help you verify the cost of all these items. You can discard everything once it has been analyzed and the insurance company gives you the green signal.

Prevent further damage
Once a claim has been filed, and the damage has been documented, it is essential to prevent further damage by drying the water-damaged areas. The costs you incur in this process will be filed under emergency repair measures and cannot be used against you in the water damage claim process or affect your ability to receive fair compensation from the insurance provider. However, once the claim has been filed, do not expect any further compensation or coverage for additional damage that is incurred later on. So, you should get professional services involved to get rid of the moisture as soon as the insurance company gives you the go-ahead.