Fight for a Denied Home Insurance Flood Claim
Posted August 2, 2015There are many reasons why your home may flood. A pipe can burst, a water appliance can break, or a foundation crack can let outdoor water in. Regardless of why a flood occurred, you have to get the water out and your home cleaned up. As soon as this occurs, you will want to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. But, if they deny the claim, you may just think about letting it go, as you may be busy with the cleanup process. However, cleaning up after a flood is expensive and you don’t want to just let it go. Here are three expensive expenses related to flood cleanup in a home.
Removing the Water
If there is water in your home, the sitting water will need to be pumped out and fans will need to be brought in to completely dry everything out. If your house is full of water, only two to three feet of water can be pumped out. If you drain the water too quickly, the pressure outside the walls will be greater than the pressure inside the walls. That may make the walls and floor crack and collapse which would cause an added expense. Due to the complexity, removing water should be left to the professionals, which is why this is expensive.
Replacing the Damaged Fixtures
If water has entered your home, you will have to replace the items that got damaged by the water. This includes things such as your drywall, insulation, structural wood, carpet padding and carpeting. If these water damaged items are not removed and replaced, you can encounter many problems. Mold can develop. The wood can’t support the structure of your home. Your drywall can be warped. And your insulation will be inefficient. Unfortunately, replacing all of these items can be pricey.
Possible Mold Removal in the Future
If water is not properly removed, mold can develop in your home. If the mold sits for an extended period of time, or if it is black mold, a professional will have to remove the mold. This can be extremely pricey.
Removing water, replacing damaged home fixtures and removal possible mold in the future can all be expensive projects. If your homeowner’s insurance denies your insurance claim for a flood, you will have to pay these expenses out of pocket. While it may be time-consuming and stressful, fighting the insurance company’s denial can help you avoid pay these expenses with your own money.
Contact the Bennett Law Firm to discuss your legal options.