Florida, being located near the coast, is no stranger to flooding events. In a matter of moments, a flood can destroy basements, floors and, in severe situations, even entire homes. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reports that in the United States, floods top the list of natural disasters. It is also stated that from 2010 to 2014, the average flood claim was close to $42,000.
Flood damage is beyond stressful, and the flood insurance claims process can be confusing. ServiceMaster by Reed discusses some tips to handle the flood insurance claims process below.
Flood Insurance Claim Tips
- Review your coverage in your homeowners or renters insurance policy. If the original document was lost or damaged by the flood, your insurance provider can supply a copy. Check the declarations page for the coverage, exclusions, limitations and the filing deadlines.
- Call your insurance company immediately to start the claims process.
- Document the damage by taking photos or videos before beginning any cleanup or restoration work, since these will be needed by the claims adjuster.
- Contact ServiceMaster by Reed for inspection and assessment of the area, for an estimate of the cost of mitigation, and to start the restoration and cleanup process. We will perform water removal, structural drying and other procedures as needed.
- Do not discard any water-damaged item, as the claims adjuster may have to examine items during the claims inspection.
- Take note of the following information for your claim:
- date of the flood
- cause of the flood
- your contact information or the contact information of the property owner
- estimates for cleanup and remediation
- receipts for cleanup, repairs and other related costs
- receipts for hotels and related expenses if you have to leave your home
- a list of all personal items that have been damaged by the flood, including - building materials and furniture
- Keep a detailed record of all interactions with the insurance company during the flood insurance claim process. Log phone conversations, complete with the date and time, the name of the person interacted with and a description of the conversation. Also keep a copy of all written communication with your insurance provider, which includes printed copies of emails and other digital communication.
Flood Damage Policies
- Basic homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so if you live in a flood-prone area, it would be for your best benefit to secure a separate policy for floods.
- It may take longer to receive your claim check if you're a victim of a major or catastrophic flood event.
Make an Appointment With Our Flood Damage Restoration Specialists Today
For a fast response to your flood damage emergency, ServiceMaster by Reed is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 954-799-4420. We service residential and commercial properties in Miami, Florida and surrounding areas and counties.
- We offer FREE estimates for all insurance claims
- We bill insurance directly, so you don't have to
- 100% guaranteed work with years of industry experience