Flood Damage Insurance Claims

Dealing with flood damage insurance claims can be a complex process, but following these steps can help you navigate it more effectively:

• Prioritize safety: Ensure the safety of yourself and your family first. If the flood has caused significant damage, consider vacating the property until it’s safe to return.

• Review your policy: Familiarise yourself with your insurance policy and understand the coverage you have for flood damage. This will help you know what expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

• Document the damage: Take extensive photographs and videos of the flood-damaged areas, both inside and outside the property. This evidence will support your insurance claim and help the insurance company’s loss adjuster assess the extent of the damage.

• Mitigate further damage: Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as drying out wet areas, boarding up broken windows, and protecting valuable belongings from more harm. Keep records of any temporary repairs or expenses incurred to prevent additional losses.

• Notify your insurance company: As soon as it is safe to do so, contact your insurance company or agent to report the flood damage. Many insurers have a 24/7 claims hotline for emergencies.

• Understand the claim process: Ask your insurer about the claim process and what information they require. They may send out a loss adjuster to assess the damage and estimate the cost of repairs. Be sure to keep track of all communication and documentation related to your claim.

• Complete the necessary paperwork: Fill out claim forms accurately and provide all requested documentation promptly. This may include details of the flood, an inventory of damaged items, receipts, and estimates for repairs.

• Get repair estimates: Obtain written estimates from licensed contractors for the cost of repairing the flood damage. These estimates will be useful during the claims process.

• Keep receipts: Keep records of all expenses related to the flood damage, such as hotel stays, food, and other essentials if you had to temporarily relocate. These expenses might be covered under your policy.

• Be patient and persistent: The flood insurance claims process can take time, especially during large-scale events. Stay in touch with your insurance company, and follow up on the progress of your claim as needed.

• Consider hiring a public loss assessor: If you feel overwhelmed or are facing difficulties with the insurance company, you can hire a public loss assessor like ourselves who can help negotiate the claim on your behalf. Public Loss Assessors, sometimes referred to as public adjusters charge a percentage of the claim payout.

Remember, each insurance policy and claim may vary, so it’s crucial to read your policy and follow the guidelines provided by your insurer. Being organised, documenting everything, and understanding the process greatly increases the likelihood of making a successful flood damage insurance claim.

Have you had flood damage? We Help Policyholders Handle Their Flood Damage Insurance Claims

Flood damage insurance claims to a home or business can be an extremely traumatic experience for those involved. Flood damage usually results from flash flooding, rivers bursting their banks and blocked drains to name but a few. The danger with flood water is that it can often become contaminated with sewage and other pollutant materials. Before any repair work or drying out takes place, it is important that proper cleaning and sanitation are carried out.

Complete Water Damage Renovation and Consultation

People’s first instinct is usually to have repairs carried out as quickly as possible. This is almost always a bad idea because if the property is not sufficiently dried out or the correct anti-fungal treatment is not undertaken, wet and dry rot problems may occur down the line.

It is also imperative that plaster and timberwork be properly dried out and treated correctly before any repair works are carried out. However, in many cases, replacement is necessary.

We Efficiently Handle Flood Damage Insurance Claims

Trying to submit a flood damage claim on your own can be a confusing and stressful experience as insurance companies generally expect you to know how to proceed when it happens. N.J. Carroll & Associates have been dealing effectively with flood damage insurance claims for over 30 years. We act immediately by reporting your claim to the insurance company and getting a Loss Adjuster appointed. We will then meet the insurance company’s Loss Adjuster on-site and assess the level of damage. We give you the expert advice that you need and aim to make the whole process as painless for you as possible.

Important things to note

When you have a water damage claim, it is important to note that what you say to the insurance company at the claims notification stage could potentially affect your claim. When water damage occurs in your home or business, it is best not to dispose of anything until the insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect the damage, otherwise, you may prejudice your position.

What we do

At N.J. Carroll & Associates, we will work extremely hard on your behalf to get you the best possible deal. We will undertake all of the negotiation and organisation so you don’t have to. We offer you the best advice on issues relating to water damage and any other queries that you may have such as finding alternative accommodation, dealing with your damaged contents or goods and many more. As experts in handling flood damage claims, we work quickly and efficiently to make sure that your insurer looks after you correctly.

Professional and practical advice to help you with your water damage repairs

The advantage of hiring a Loss Assessor to act on your behalf in a flood damage claim is that you will have the best advice at your disposal on what you will be entitled to claim for and exactly how to go about doing it. We offer a free consultation service so there is no obligation to proceed once this is conducted. Please do not hesitate to contact us today and one of our experienced Loss Assessors and claims handlers will give you the advice that you need.

N.J. Carroll & Associates Ltd are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Our Financial Regulator Certificate number is C41330. Niall Carroll is a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. We are also a member of the Irish Claims Consultants Association.