Hurricane/Pipe Burst Damage
Water damage from hurricanes and burst pipes can cause significant property losses, which is why it’s essential to know your insurance policy and secure the compensation you are entitled to. Unfortunately, many policyholders are unaware that their insurers may not be on the same page as them when it comes to a claim payout. Insurance companies are ultimately always looking out for their bottom line, and will try to pay out the lowest amount possible, even if you’ve been paying your insurance premiums faithfully for years to be protected in case something like this were to happen. If you think your insurance company is unfairly lowballing, denying your claim, or excessively delaying the processing of such claims, you may need an insurance attorney on your side.
Water Damage Coverage and Natural Disaster in Florida
Homeowners’ insurance policies usually cover water damage, but the majority of them don’t cover flood damage. When it’s not totally clear whether the water damage at hand resulted from a pipe burst or flooding, there may be disputes that occur. If your home floods from a severe rainstorm or hurricane, the flood may be part of many other causes that damage your home. Under Florida’s concurrent causation policy, you may still recover some compensation for your property damage in such situations, although a flood partially contributed to causing some of the damage.
Pipe Burst Due to Inadequate Maintenance
Damage due to inadequate or defective maintenance is excluded in many insurance policies. If a drain pipe breaks due to age, or a water supply line breaks near your washing machine or sink, the insurer may raise this defense. The majority of homeowners don’t go through their homes looking for rusting pipes or broken-down hoses. “Sudden and accidental” losses are covered under most homeowners insurance policies, and thus many pipe breaks involving a drain pipe or broken water supply line may be covered.
If your insurance company denies coverage claiming that you didn’t adequately maintain your home, you should consult with a Florida pipe burst lawyer. Although these denials are occasionally valid, frequently, they are not. Khullar Law, PLLC has helped many people recover thousands of dollars from unfair denials where the insurance company accuses homeowners of insufficient maintenance.
What to Do When Your Insurance Won’t Cover Hurricane or Pipe Bursts
If your insurance company denied your pipe burst claim for any reason you deem unfair, you should take the following steps:
Thoroughly document the damage with video and photo evidence
Gather all communication records with your insurance adjuster
Gather any records you have relating to prior repairs or maintenance
Get copies of your homeowners' insurance policy
Contact a property damage insurance lawyer for a free consultation
