When damage occurs in your home, the first thoughts you may have are worries about the cost of repair. Your mind may be racing in an attempt to calculate the expenses and effects this may have on your home long term. Depending on the severity of the damage, many people may just try to brush off the issue and report it to the insurance to get it fixed ‘if it gets really bad’, but this is a quick way to have your insurance claim denied or undervalued.
You see as an insured owner, your policy requires that you do everything in your ability to mitigate further damage to the property. Today, our insurance adjusters are here to explain “duty after loss” and exactly what that means to you as a policyholder.
Ready to file a claim? Always contact a public insurance adjuster beforehand to have your back throughout the process. Call Liberty Adjusters today or submit a claim.
What is Duty After Loss?
Simply put, duty after loss refers to your necessary duties after a loss or damage occurs that requires an insurance claim.
It is stated in your policy language that you are required to do everything in your power to stop further damage from occurring.
For example, if a pipe bursts in your home and causes a leak, you must take action to stop the leak. Aside from stopping the leak itself, you are required to clean up any sitting water or you risk your claim being denied.
This is included in your insurance policy language because ignoring any damage to a property often leads to further, more expensive damage. If you were to leave water sitting after a leak, the water may damage the affected areas; and when your insurance company inspects the damage, they will notice this damage could have been avoided and your claim will likely be denied.
What Damage That Requires Action?
There are many situations where property damage may require immediate action to prevent it from becoming worse. In these cases, it’s important to remember that although you aren’t expected to immediately repair the entirety of the damage, you are still expected to do whatever it takes to minimize future damage.
Here are a couple of common causes, as well as the methods by which you can fulfill your duty after loss:
Roof / Storm Damage
If a storm blows over a tree and causes damage to your roof, the problem does not just stop there. Aside from the damage itself, your roof is now exposed to the environment. In this situation, it’s imperative that you tarp your roof to prevent water damage from rain or a storm.
Especially during storm season, even the smallest of holes in your roof can lead to massive amounts of water damage and a very complicated claim. Be sure to inspect your roof after a storm to ensure you are not at risk of extra damage to your home.
Need someone to take a look at your roof? Ready to make an insurance claim? Call Liberty Adjusters today!
Water Damage
Going back to our example earlier, a burst pipe or other plumbing leak can be detrimental to your home. It’s pretty obvious that we would want to clean the standing water to prevent further damage, but when it comes to water, the issue can become much more complex.
Not only would you have to clean up any standing water, but you’ll want to call out a water mitigation company to dry out your cabinetry and walls. This is because cabinets and walls are porous and absorb water like a sponge, meaning that they can remain wet even though they don’t look wet, leading to mold growth in places that you originally thought to be dry.
Do you know how to shut off your water in the case of a burst pipe or water leak? Watch the video below for a guide!
Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster Before You File an Insurance Claim
Now that you understand duty after loss, your next step is to file your claim with your insurance company. But don’t file that claim just yet! It is in the best interest of your insurance company to pay you the least amount possible, so you must have someone on your side through the claims process. Hiring a public adjuster, like us here at Liberty Insurance Adjusters, will ensure that you receive the full amount you deserve for your settlement.
Let our reputable loss adjusters manage the claims process and help answer any questions you have along the way. We work for you and not the insurance company, it’s nice to have someone on your side. Submit your claim today!