Thankfully, Texas’s stint of extreme winter weather appears to be over. The recovery from the snowstorm and the damage it caused, though, has barely begun. What awaits many Texans is months of trying to assess their damage, battle with their insurance companies, and get the repairs they need. One of the most damaging results of the cold front that we’re seeing is a large number of burst pipes in homes and commercial buildings across Texas. If you are one of the many Texans who has suffered a burst pipe, here’s what you need to know about burst pipes and about getting the most from your insurance claim.
Why Did So Many Pipes Burst in Texas?
When your faucets are off, the water doesn’t drain from your pipes; it sits idle within them. We all know that water expands when it freezes. So when the water in your pipes freezes enough, that expansion creates enough pressure to burst the pipes wide open and gush an endless stream of water inside your walls.
In areas more accustomed to winter weather, contractors insulate walls better and this helps to keep pipes warm. In Texas, though, temperatures rarely drop below 23 degrees. That’s below freezing, but when your heat is on, it’s enough to prevent the extent of freezing that causes pipes to burst.
Texas’s winter weather was a perfect storm. Not only did we have extremely cold temperatures, but there were widespread power outages too. That combination allowed pipes to freeze and burst.
How a Public Adjuster Can Help with Your Insurance Claim from a Burst Pipe
In times of large-scale natural disasters, insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible so they can minimize their losses. That is why our public adjusters are here to help you get the reimbursement you need for your burst pipe. What policyholders do not realize is the burden of proving the damage is their responsibility and not their insurance companies. Public Adjuster assumes that burden in full which includes documenting the damage, preparing reports with supporting estimates to help quantify the loss. We handle the presentation, negotiation, and adjustment of the claim as the policyholders advocate assuring maximized results.
Reviewing Your Policy
We always begin by taking an in-depth look at your policy to see what might be covered in various situations. Most homeowner’s insurance and commercial property insurance policies should cover some or all of your damages. However, some policies exclude coverage for burst pipes as well, and some limit the amount of coverage applicable to them.
Understanding your policy is essential to the claims process. Public Adjusters are experts in policy and know exactly how to get the best benefit for policyholders.
Advice You About Documenting Your Damage
Depending on your policy coverage, Insurance companies may reimburse you for the ensuing water damage caused by your burst pipe. As a result, you need to provide them with evidence of all the damages. Supporting photos are necessary for justifying the claim, as well as preserving the damage until your insurance company has accepted liability.
Negotiating with Your Insurance Company
In some cases, insurance companies will only pay for minimal repairs and will claim that those repairs are all that you need. Due to the burden of proof being the responsibility of the policyholders, necessary support will be required to justify the claim. Public Adjusters are skilled in the art of negotiation utilizing their knowledge of insurance policy and construction to present to your insurance company. The support presented by a Public Adjuster is utilized to begin the negotiations. The negotiation and adjustment of the claim will be futile to affirm the result necessary to affect the settlement of the claim and help the insurance company indemnify the policyholder as per the policy in effect. In the case of a burst pipe, your repairs will likely be comprehensive and necessary remediation and restoration will be necessary to prevent future damage and health hazards.
In addition to repairing the pipe, building components that are wet from the ensuing water damage will need to be remediated and/or replaced. If proper measures are not taken by you or your contractor, it could lead to additional damages such as microbial growth, deterioration, and/or rot which are excluded or limited in insurance policies. Mitigating the damages is the policyholders’ responsibility as clearly stated in insurance policies. So please take the necessary measures not only to comply with your policy but to also protect you, your family, and your property.
Other expenses you may incur are personal property damage and paying for alternative housing while the repairs are taking place. If these expenses are covered by your policy, we can also evaluate, document, prepare, support, and quantify the damages on your behalf to present to your insurance company and negotiate with them for maximized results.
Starting the Recovery Process
If you’ve been affected by a burst pipe, you don’t need to add an insurance battle to your list of challenges. Our team of experts has over 200 plus years of experience in the industry combined. We will advise you about the type of evidence, repair estimates, receipts that you need to show your losses.
Contact our public adjusters today for help with your insurance claim.
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