Water Damage Claim Attorneys in Chandler, Arizona

Finding a flood in your bathroom due to a burst pipe can be a nerve-wracking ordeal, especially after you calculate the repair costs. In this situation, you may wonder “How did this happen?” and “Will my homeowners insurance cover the water damage?”  

Many property owners assume that their homeowners insurance will cover all kinds of water damage in their house. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thankfully, though, you do have options in these kinds of situations. 
 
If your house has been damaged due to water, our attorneys at Arnett & Arnett, PC can help you pursue the compensation to which you may be entitled. Our water damage claims attorneys in Chandler can help you get the most out of your claim to strive for full and fair compensation. For over three decades, we have proudly served clients throughout the state of Arizona, including Chandler, Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff. Set up a consultation with us today. 

What Water Damage Does Homeowners Insurance Cover & Not Cover?

If you have homeowners insurance, do not expect it to cover all kinds of water damage. As a rule of thumb, if water damage occurs accidentally and through no fault of yours inside your house, your homeowners insurance will most likely cover the resulting damages and losses. However, any water damage caused by external sources will most likely not be covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy. Many people, though, purchase separate coverage from such kinds of water damage (e.g., flood insurance) as an addition to their standard policy.  

Typically, sudden and accidental events inside the home are covered by homeowners insurance. The following water damage perils may be covered: 

• Burst pipe 

• Accidental leak 

• Ice dams 

• Appliance malfunctions such as dishwasher overflow 

• Plumbing issues 

• Fire extinguisher/hose damage 

Your water damage claim is likely to be denied by your homeowners insurance carrier if any of the following is true: 

• Flood damage. Unless you have separate flood insurance coverage, flood-related damages will most likely not be covered by your standard homeowners insurance policy.  

• Water back-up from sewer or drain. Standard policies typically do not provide coverage for damages related to sewer and drain backup, though many insurers offer this type of coverage as an add-on to a standard policy.  

• Mold. Unless mold is the result of a covered peril (e.g., a burst pipe that caused mold to accumulate over time), homeowners insurance will most likely not cover mold-related damages.  

• Maintenance problems that have been ignored. If water damage is caused by a maintenance problem that the homeowner failed to attend to, the insurance company is likely to deny coverage for the resulting costs (e.g., a pipe that has been leaking for months but you did nothing to repair it).  

• Negligence. Even if a peril is covered, the insurance company will most likely refuse to provide coverage if the damage was the result of the homeowner’s negligence. For example, if a homeowner fails to use a dishwasher properly and causes an overflow, there may be no coverage.  

As you can see, homeowners insurance may cover some kinds of water damage—but there are many exceptions and exclusions that should be considered when filing a water damage claim. Reach out to a home insurance claims attorney to determine if your policy will provide coverage in your particular situation.  

What to Do If You Have Water Damage

Water damage can quickly become your biggest headache. However, you need to know what to do if your house is damaged by water before things get out of control. While the process of pursuing compensation for water damage may vary from one insurance carrier to another, it typically includes the following steps: 

1. Reviewing your homeowners insurance policy to determine whether or not your damage is covered 

2. Contacting your homeowners insurance company to inform them of the water damage 

3. Filling out and submitting the forms provided by the insurance company 

4. Documenting the damages and losses 

5. Making temporary repairs to prevent further damage 

6. Waiting for the insurance company’s response  

7. Hiring a contractor to make the necessary repairs (check with the insurer to see if it has any requirements for hiring contractors) 

Our attorneys at Arnett & Arnett, PC, can guide you through the process of filing your water damage claims to ensure that your rights under the insurance policy are protected.