Pipe Burst Damage | Oklahoma City, OK | Insurance Bad Faith | Insurance

No Oklahoma homeowner wants to deal with water damage. If a pipe burst or leaks, the cost to repair and replace your damaged property can be truly enormous. Fortunately, pipe burst damage is covered typically covered by your standard homeowners’ insurance policy. So, at least you will have coverage for your losses, right? Sadly, it is not always that straightforward. The big insurance companies are notorious for denying or underpaying valid pipe burst claims. We can help you hold the insurance company accountable.

 

If you have sustained serious damage from leaking or ruptured pipes, you need to take immediate action to protect your legal rights and financial interests. At The Bennett Law Firm, our top-rated Oklahoma City bad faith insurance attorneys have extensive experience handling pipe burst and water seepage damage claims. For an immediate review of your insurance claim, please contact our legal team today for a free consultation.

 

Why Do Pipe Bursts Occur in Oklahoma?

Pipes can burst or rupture for a wide variety of reasons. Most often, pipe problems happen in the winter time. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to become blocked and when pressure builds up, bursting can occur. Though it may not seem like it at first glance, this is a major problem in Oklahoma. Unlike in northern states where very cold temperatures are common, freezing temperatures occur less frequently here. As a result, in far too many cases, pipe installation is not always done with proper consideration to cold weather, and pipes are left exposed at and risk of freezing.

 

Of course, pipes can break for many other reasons as well. In some cases, the pipe burst might be related to a storm, such as a tornado or a severe thunderstorm. In other cases, pipe bursts also become issues when earthquakes or other types of earth movement happen. It should also be noted that sometimes, pipe issues occur to due poor craftsmanship, construction defects or a flawed design.

 

My Pipe Burst: What Do I Do Now?

  1. Stop the Water Flow

The first thing you need to do is turn off the water to any affected pipe(s). You need to protect your property from further damage. Beyond the obvious reason why this is important, it is worth noting that your insurance policy will require you to mitigate your damages. In other words, your insurance company could potentially attempt to deny your claim on the grounds that you failed to take reasonable action to protect yourself and your property.

 

  1. Proactively Document Your Losses

Once you have stopped the water flow, you should immediately begin taking steps to document your losses. To make the most effective, persuasive insurance damage claim possible, you will need compelling evidence that proves your losses. This starts with taking extensive photographs and even videos of the property damage. From there, you should look to obtain receipts and all relevant financial records you can get your hands on. Eventually, you will need to get repair estimates.

 

  1. Review Your Policy and Notify Your Insurer

You should always have a copy of your insurance policy that you can access. Your policy will contain specific instructions on what you should do in the event of a loss. Specifically, this section will tell you how and when you need to report your pipe burst damage to your insurer. Do not delay in reporting your damage: Take action as soon as you possibly can.

 

  1. Be Ready to Seek Legal Assistance

In an ideal world, your insurance company will cut you a check for the full value of your repairs, very shortly after your pipe burst damage has occurred. In reality, it does sometimes work out that way. However, in many cases, the big insurance companies look for ways to undermine claims, sometimes even rejecting valid pipe burst water damage claims outright. If you feel that you have been mistreated in any way by your insurer, or if you are having trouble recovering every dollar that you deserve, you need to consult with a qualified Oklahoma attorney as soon as possible.

 

Contact Our Oklahoma Property Damage Attorneys Today

 

At The Bennett Law Firm, our Oklahoma City bad faith insurance lawyers can help you recover full and fair compensation for your pipe burst or water leak damage. To get immediate assistance with your claim, please call our team today at 405-272-0303 The Bennett Law Firm. We only get paid our legal fees if we help you recover compensation for your property losses!