Your Water damage claims
Discover how you can get up to 747% more for your water damage claim.
Sentry Works for You, Not the Insurance Company
Sentry’s public adjusters offer:
- Free consultation
- Free, COVID-safe inspection
- Free insurance policy review
- No out-of-pocket costs to you
Call us at (800) 780-6141 or complete the contact form to learn more.
LET SENTRY HELP!
Your Water damage claims
Discover how you can get up to 747% more for your water damage claim.
Sentry Works for You, Not the Insurance Company
Sentry’s public adjusters offer:
- Free consultation
- Free, COVID-safe inspection
- Free insurance policy review
- No out-of-pocket costs to you
Call us at (800) 780-6141 or complete the contact form to learn more.
LET SENTRY HELP!
Water Damage Facts & Statistics
- 14,000 homeowners deal with water damage daily in the U.S.
- National Flood Insurance program only covers direct losses from floods and is capped at $250,000 for structural damage.
- 37% of homeowners have suffered losses related to water damage.
- The average water-heater-related, covered water damage claim is more than $6,965.
- 75% of water heaters fail within 10 years.
- The average covered water damage claim severity for Southern states was 28% higher than Northern states.
- Of the water supply hose failures resulting in a water damage claim, 78% involved washing machines that were less than 11 years old. Of these failures, 54% occurred in washing machines between 8 and 10 years of age.
- 250 gallons of water can be lost in a single day from a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe.
- Water heaters located on the first floor of a home accounted for 33% greater losses than those in basements. For South Florida homeowners, this means a water damage claim involving a water heater can be particularly damaging.
- Water damage claims have increased by 46% in Florida in the past 5 years alone.
- Approximately 9% of all water heater failures occurred in unoccupied homes and resulted in 49% higher claims. This is another factor unique to South Florida with our higher number of second homes and “snowbirds” than most other regions of the country.
Sentry Public Adjusting has years of experience helping property owners across South Florida get the most value out of their water damage claim. Whether you’ve just experienced water damage, are dealing with a denied water damage claim or are picking up the pieces after a hurricane, Sentry Public Adjusting is here to make sure you’re protected.
Maximize your water damage claim by scheduling a FREE damage insurance assessment today.
The 4 Most Important Things You Need to Know About a Water Damage Claim
Regardless of how the water damage happened in your home, there are four things you need to know about how to handle water damage to your home or commercial property:
- Once water damage has occurred, time is of the utmost importance. Mold can begin growing in as little as 24 hours and not dealing with the water leak can lead to a much more involved water damage claim.
- A water damage claim is distinctly different from flood damage claims. Knowing which policy to file your water damage claim under can be the difference between getting paid and having your water damage claim rejected. You might think water is water, but that’s not the case when it comes to property damage. Insurance companies are particular when it comes to the differences between damage types.
- Consider the water pollution level. There are different classifications of water involved in a water damage claim. Which type of water is involved in your water damage claim can make a tremendous difference in the extent of damage caused to your home.
- Category 1: water from a clean water source, like a fresh-water line from a washing machine or dishwasher. This water will not immediately cause illness or any ill effects.
- Category 2: water that may cause illness through contact. It may have bacteria in it.
- Category 3: water that is highly contaminated. Contact can cause severe illness or death. Think sewage backup, an overflowing toilet or storm waters.
- Having a public adjuster help with water damage, on average, results in a 747% higher insurance payout. The OPPAGA Report from the State of Florida proves that homeowners who take advantage of public adjusting services receive far more money for their water damage claim than those who choose to go it alone.
Water Damage Often Creates Mold Damage
Water damage typically leads to mold damage, which can create numerous health hazards. With South Florida’s tropical climate and intense heat, a water damage claim left unmitigated by restoration companies can often turn into massive mold issues.
Homeowners’ insurance claims having to do with water damage typically involve a burst pipe, rain damage, storm and hurricane damage. When it comes to rain, Florida received an estimated 63 inches in 2016 alone. Another factor that can greatly influence the extent of water damage to your home is the age and condition of your home.
A water damage claim is made worse by the following characteristics of old homes:
- Older roofs or roofs that were built before major hurricane codes were put into place.
- Older or outdated plumbing and drainage systems.
- Outdated electrical systems.
- Insufficient hurricane protection such as shutters, hurricane windows or preparedness.
Understanding Your Covered Water Damage
Most homeowners will have a hard time accurately understanding what specifically insurance covers under their homeowners’ insurance policy and how to best handle a water damage insurance claim. Knowing how to get the insurance agent to sign off on your water damage claim isn’t always as simple as your insurance provider will make it seem.
Having a water damage claim adjuster from Sentry Public Adjusting assisting with your water damage claims can mean a significantly better claim payout.
What Our Water Damage Claim Service Looks Like
Our process begins with a FREE in-home inspection of the damage to your home and property. This can be fairly involved. Our in-home appraisals COST NOTHING up front, and we’re available at your convenience to inspect water damage.
Our water damage claim adjusting services will cover the following:
- Reviewing the existing homeowners’ insurance policies to figure out exactly what your insurance covers for the damages that have occurred.
- Evaluating all losses, including building damages, the contents of the building and any additional expenses incurred.
- Inspecting your home to estimate and substantiate all of the damages to your home. The estimator appointment is a vital part of the water damage claim process.
- Reopening a previously closed water damage claim if any issues are found after the water damage claim has been settled.
- Determining all costs for repair of damages.
- Calculating losses from any business interruptions and additional expense claims for businesses.
- Presenting all documentation along with the water damage claim to your insurance company.
- Negotiating with your insurance company on your behalf.
Sentry Public Adjusting understands that dealing with home damages is no easy task; we know the stress and worry that come with the financial burdens and the paperwork involved with a water damage claim.
We understand that your family is focused on picking up the pieces and may be focusing on living expenses and replacing personal property after facing flood or water damage. We believe that you are entitled to have your home or business property restored to its original condition, and we represent you to achieve that.
Let Sentry Public Adjusting help make your house a home once again.
Contact Us
560 Village Blvd, Suite 100,
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
