Water damage spreads fast. Mold grows faster. Your insurance company knows this.
They also know most policyholders don't understand their coverage. They count on you accepting their first offer. That offer is almost always too low.
The adjuster working for your insurance company has one job: minimize what they pay you. Their salary depends on keeping payouts small.
According to the EPA, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours after water damage. This creates two problems for your claim.
First, if you wait to document the damage, your insurance company may claim the mold resulted from your delay, not the original water event. Second, the longer water sits, the more expensive repairs become. Your insurance company will try to blame you for any additional damage.
You need professional documentation immediately. Not tomorrow. Not after you call your insurance company. Now.
Calling your insurance company first is the biggest mistake water damage victims make. Here's why:
The words you use when reporting the claim matter. A lot. Tell them a pipe "leaked" and they'll claim gradual damage. Say "it's been dripping" and you just admitted to delayed maintenance.
Their adjuster will ask leading questions designed to support a denial. "How long has this been going on?" sounds innocent. Your answer becomes evidence against you.
Once you give a recorded statement, you can't take it back. Insurance companies use your own words to reduce or deny claims.
Call us first. We'll tell you exactly what to say and what not to say.
Every hour you wait gives your insurance company more ammunition to deny your claim. Mold grows. Water spreads. Damage worsens.
Your insurance policy requires you to prevent further damage. But making repairs before documenting everything can void your claim. It's a trap most policyholders fall into.
We know how to protect your property while preserving your claim. We coordinate emergency services that won't jeopardize your coverage.
Call Northeast Claims Adjusters before you do anything else.
Insurance companies deny water damage claims using these tactics:
The "Gradual Leak" Excuse: They claim the damage happened slowly over time, which most policies exclude. Even if the pipe burst yesterday, they'll look for signs of previous moisture.
The "Lack of Maintenance" Claim: They argue you didn't maintain your property properly. Old pipes, worn seals, or delayed repairs become reasons to reduce or deny your claim.
The "Flood vs. Water Damage" Trick: They reclassify water intrusion as flooding to avoid payment. Standard homeowner policies exclude flood damage, so this tactic saves them thousands.
The Lowball Estimate: They send an adjuster who "misses" damage in walls, under floors, and in ceiling cavities. You only discover the full extent after you accept their check.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Every dollar they don't pay you increases their bottom line.
Their adjusters use software that calculates repair costs. This software often uses outdated prices and generic estimates. It doesn't account for your specific situation or local construction costs.
They also bet you'll accept their first offer. Most people do. You're overwhelmed, stressed, and need money quickly. They know this. They exploit it.
Studies show policyholders with public adjusters receive settlements several times higher than those who handle claims alone. Your insurance company doesn't want you to know this.
