Excess moisture or water can do great harm to a house as well as its contents. Cleanup needs to get started as soon as possible after the damage has been done.
Water damage cost
The cost of repairs after water damage depends on the type of damage as well as other factors. These include:
- Size of the damaged area
- Extent of the damage
- Materials needed
- Type of water causing the damage
Expensive damage to repair
Most of the time, flooding and storm damage is the most expensive damage to repair. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, in 2016, there were 15 climate and weather disaster events with total losses exceeding $1 billion for each disaster. This is flood damage and does not include high-wind thunderstorms that for example might drop a tree branch onto your roof.
Insurance
So, after a hurricane or other flooding damage who is going to pay for all the damage? It should be your insurance. A homeowner’s policy should cover most storm damage, as well as other problems, caused by storms. But there is one notable exception: flood damage often needs a separate policy. So, if you live where there is the likelihood of having flood damage caused by storms, it is important to make certain you have this separate policy.
Steps to get started
There are four steps that need to be followed to ensure that your insurance does pay for any damage. These include:
- As soon as the storm is over, and it is safe to go outside – take pictures with your smartphone or camera. But do it safely as downed power lines and floodwaters can be extremely dangerous.
- If water and wind are still getting into your home – do some temporary repairs to stop any more water coming in.
- For home insurance, paperwork is important and that means to save all your receipts.
- Call your insurance agent to make arrangements for getting repairs started quickly. With water damage, mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours.
