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Burst pipes. Leaking appliances. Broken plumbing. There are a lot of reasons that you might experience water damage in your McAllen home, but the experience is always unpleasant, no matter the cause. And, it is often expensive. From fried electrical wires to extensive mold damage, water can create tens of thousands of dollars in unavoidable repairs – Just to make your home livable again.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not want to pay for these damages, even if you have faithfully paid your premiums month after month and year after year. In order to set yourself up for a successful claim (Or to fight a claim that was wrongfully denied), there are a few things you should do as soon as you discover water damage in your McAllen home. Here is what we advise our clients to do immediately.

Make sure everyone is safe

Water damage can create electrical hazards if it comes into contact with the wires inside your walls or ceilings. In addition, standing water can carry germs or other contaminants that make it unsafe to be around. If you discover water damage, you should immediately do the following to keep yourself and your family safe:

• Turn off the main power supply.
• Turn off your water.
• Avoid contact with standing water.
• Evacuate your home if necessary.

Document all of the water damage

Obviously, your first instinct when confronted with water damage in your McAllen home is to clean it up. However, insurance claims cases are often won and lost on the basis of evidence. Before starting the clean up, make sure you document all of the damage caused by the water. Even if something seems small, do not leave it out of your documentation. Here are some of the ways you can record exactly what happened to your home, so you can present it to the insurance company (and if necessary the courts) when the time comes:

• Take photos of every area of standing water and damage.
• Take videos demonstrating the extent of damage.
• Record all affected areas, including ceilings, walls, furniture, and belongings.
• Write descriptions of all the damage you can find.

Prevent additional water damage

If you leave your home untouched after water damages it, you may experience further deterioration as the water sinks further into your drywall or carpet or begins to grow mold. That is why you should take immediate steps to prevent further damage to your home by removing as much water as possible and by removing any belongings that are in the path of the water. Here are some steps to take:

• Remove standing water.
• Dry affected areas.
• Remove items not damaged by the water.

The goal at this stage is to prevent damage from continuing to occur – NOT to make any permanent repairs or renovations. Those should wait until your claim is settled with the insurance company.

Contact your insurance company

The first step in getting compensation for water damage is not always to jump to a legal consultation. Instead, you should first file a claim with your insurance company. When reaching out to insurance, there are a few steps you should take to make the process as smooth as possible.

• Notify the company as soon as possible about water damage in your McAllen home.
• Provide a detailed account of the incident.
• Follow their claims process.
• Provide documentation, including photos, videos, and receipts for any expenses incurred as a result of the water damage.

Review your insurance policy

Sometimes, homeowners run into trouble with their claims because they fail to understand their policy. In order to know, and pursue, exactly what is due to you as a result of water damage in your home, you should review your policy and make sure you understand it. Pay particular attention to water damage related exclusions that could limit your coverage.

If you do have difficulty comprehending all of the terms and conditions, reach out to legal counsel. They can help clarify your policy and make sure that your insurance company honors the policy you have with them.

Consult with a legal professional

If your claim is denied or you are offered payment that is much lower than you need, consider consulting a legal professional for assistance. A lawyer, like those here at Palker Law Firm, can fight on your behalf in order to get you the maximum compensation you are allowed under law. They can also help you in the following ways:

• Review your insurance policy
• Review documents before you sign them
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Take your case to court, if necessary

Keep all evidence of your claim

Documenting the water damage is the first step in keeping evidence of your claim. However, as you file and pursue your claim, you should also take steps to save the following types of evidence:

• Documentation of damage
• Correspondence with the insurance company
• Estimates from contractors
• Receipts for any expenses accrued
• And more

You don’t deserve to have your water damage claim denied or underpaid when you are covered by a valid policy. At Palker Law Firm, we are battle-tested attorneys who have taken on the biggest insurance companies – And won. We fight to get you the maximum compensation under law, and we believe that you deserve your best day in court. Let us review your case for free, and pay $0 until you win! Contact us today!