Having a water loss in your home is something no one ever wants to think about it. But when it does happen, it’s better to be prepared then to be caught off guard. Here’s a short list of things to do when you have a water damage loss:
- Quickly report the claim. You can file a homeowners insurance claim by contacting your insurance company, hiring a public adjuster or you can file your claim online. The sooner you report the loss, the faster they can get moving on your claim.
- Protect your home from further damage. Stop water from leaking by shutting off the valve, place buckets in rooms with water leaks, hang plastic over damaged areas to prevent water from leaking into your home or board up broken windows, for example.
- Record the damage done to your home. Take pictures or video of any damage to your house and its contents. Make a list of what is damaged in your home. Include details when possible—such as the brand name, manufacturer, serial number and approximate price you paid. Organize your list by room.
- Maintain a list of repair expenses. Keep track of the time you spend cleaning up or repairing your home after the claim. Also record any money you’ve spent on materials to temporarily fix the damage. It’s important that you don’t make any permanent repairs until your ERIE adjuster has seen the damage.
