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How should you document flood damage?

On Behalf of | Apr 22, 2021 | Blog, Insurance Law

When your California home floods as a result of a major storm or another natural disaster, the steps you take in the aftermath may have a big impact on any homeowner’s insurance claim you may file moving forward. If you have flood insurance and plan to make a claim to your insurance company, there are certain things you should document to strengthen your case.

Per FloodSmart.gov, when preparing to make a flood claim, make a point to do the following.

Take extensive photos and videos

Depending on the severity of the flood, you may need to make efforts to remove the water from your home right away to avoid mold growth and related health hazards. Before doing so, make sure to take extensive photos and videos of the flood and all the damage it caused. Make sure to snap images of the insides of your cabinets and any other areas that may have suffered damage.

Save receipts

Make sure that you also save any receipts given to you once you have people come in and make repairs or replacements for damaged goods. You may turn these receipts over to your adjuster to prove how much damage the flood caused and hopefully avoid a lowball offer.

Snap photos of serial numbers

If any major appliances such as washers, dryers, ovens or refrigerators suffered damage in the flood, be sure to get pictures of their serial numbers before disposing of them.

When documenting flood damage, it often pays to be thorough. You never know what photos or videos may strengthen your case and help you maximize your takeaway.