Should You File an Insurance Claim After a Flood or Water damage?

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Should You File An Insurance Claim After A Flood

In the event that your Chattanooga, TN, home goes through a flood, one of your initial instincts may be to file a claim with your insurance company. Doing so can potentially alleviate any reparations costs. However, this may not be the best idea. You could be denied a policy renewal or receive a rate hike from your insurance company if you file too many claims. If you're unsure about what to do, here are three tips for determining whether you should file an insurance claim after a flood.

1. Examine the Nature of the Damage
The exact nature of your home flood claim usually plays a part in determining how it will affect your status. If you're the one at fault for the damage, it's highly likely that your rates will be increased. You should also consider the type of harm that occurred. Unfortunately, many kinds of damage claims aren't appreciated by insurance companies. These are some to be wary of:

• Water damage
• Mold
• Animal bites
  
  

If you file too many claims for this type of damage, your policy may not be renewed.

2. Study Your Policy
One of the most essential things to do during this process is studying your policy. Few companies handle claims the same way, so you'll need to do the research yourself. If possible, it may be best to speak with an agent directly. However, you should avoid doing so after a flood occurs. You can be negatively affected if you openly discuss not filing an insurance claim for recent damages.

3. Consider the Damage's Size
While you may be hesitant to pay for restoration efforts by yourself, it might be in your best interest. One too many filed claims could result in you losing insurance before a worse event occurs. After a flood takes place, get a sense of how extensive the damage is. If it's extreme, you'll probably want to file an insurance claim. However, you shouldn't waste your claims on smaller problems.
If you need the help of water damage restoration experts, you'll have to decide whether or not to file a claim. Stay calm and make the most informed choice possible.