Water Damage & Plumbing Failures

Turn to Florida Water Damage Attorney for Help with Your Claim 

For most Floridians, the thought of water damage to their home, condo, or business property is a nightmare. In a humid climate with frequent summer storms, we all understand how quickly a little water problem can become a massive issue requiring money, professional help, and inconvenience. When you file a claim for water damage, you expect your insurance company to offer a fair amount to get your property back in order, but as our Florida water damage attorney team can attest, that unfortunately isn’t always the case.

How Does Water Damage Happen?

Water damage can originate from many sources. Some of the most common water damage culprits Floridians face include issues with your roof, a broken dishwasher hose, flood waters, groundwater seepage, clogged toilets, foundation issues, leaking windows and doors, and, of course, broken pipes. In Florida, water damage can often be a result of wind damage. Wind can damage windows and doors, making them more likely to leak in the next rainstorm, for example.

Do Insurance Policies Cover Water Damage?

Yes, insurance companies often include coverage for water damage. However, it’s important to note this differs from water damage that stems from a flood. For example, if you’ve traced the source of water in your home to your leaking water heater, the damage is most likely covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy. 

If the leak is caused by flood damage, the insurance company will generally not cover the damages. Flood damage coverage has to be purchased separately because typical homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas may be required to obtain flood insurance. Let a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. help you interpret your policy and determine whether your water property damage claim is covered by your plan.

Examples of Florida Water Damage Claims

Generally speaking, in Florida, if the water damage in your home or business is caused by some type of sudden event, it’s likely covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.

• Flood Damage. Most Florida homeowners will need to purchase a separate flood damage insurance policy. Even if they have flood insurance, the homeowner’s policy may not provide the type of coverage they need. For example, mildew and mold damage are very common after flooding, but many flood insurance policies do not cover these types of damage.
• Water Damage Caused by Weather events: Wind, heavy rains, rising waters, and hurricanes commonly cause water damage. The damage may be due to leaks or water that’s made its way into the home’s structure; e.g., a broken window, or a leaky roof. The cause of damage will determine whether the damage is covered. s
• Water Damage in General: Most homeowners’ policies will cover water damage that is not weather-related, like plumbing issues.

Let a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. help you interpret your policy and determine whether your water property damage claim is covered.

Why Insurance Companies Deny Claims for Water Damage According to A Florida Water Damage Attorney

Insurance companies can be very creative when it comes to reasons for claim denials. Some of the most common reasons our Florida water damage attorney team sees include:

Denied Because The Damage Is Due to Flooding

Water damage due to erosion, runoff, and many other types of water damage are often considered to be flood damage. Why not get the help of a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. to help you interpret your policy to see if the damage is excluded or covered.

Denied Because the Damage Is Not Covered 

To cover their bases, insurance companies will often deny coverage on the grounds the damage is actually non-covered water damage. It’s important to study your policy and see what is excluded from the “water damage” list. Or, get the help of a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. to help you interpret your policy.

Denied Because of Bad Maintenance 

Many insurance companies deny claims because they claim that the water damage is long-term damage caused by the homeowner’s failure to properly maintain the property. For example, the insurance company may claim that water damage is from a leak that was not repaired in a timely fashion or that the homeowner’s failure to maintain the proper temperature inside the home caused mold damage or a burst pipe. Why not get the help of a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. to help you interpret your policy to see if the damage is excluded or covered.

Water Damage Statistics

Water damage can be as damaging as a house fire or even more damaging than a typical earthquake. According to IProperty Management, the average home insurance claim for water damage is $11,098. Other interesting facts about water damage in homes across the country include:

• 98% of basements experience some sort of water damage.
• 14.6 million U.S. homes are at risk of flooding.
• On any given day, home water damage emergencies affect 14,000 people.
• Nationwide, household water damage costs up to $20 billion annually.

• Nationwide, household leaks waste an estimated one (1) trillion gallons, or enough to supply 11 million homes with water for a year.
• 10% of homes with leaks waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• A leaky faucet can waste 3,000 gallons per year.
• A leak in an irrigation system can waste 6,300 gallons in a year.
• An average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year.
• Annual water wastage from a typical household leak is equivalent to the water used for:
  • 270 loads of laundry.
  • 600 showers.
  • 1,200 loads of dishes in a dishwasher.
  • 6,250 flushes of a standard toilet.
  • 12,800 flushes of a WaterSense toilet.
  • 80,000 servings of water.

Contact a Florida Water Damage Attorney at the First Sign of Water Damage

Contact a Florida water damage attorney from STRUBLE, P.A. online, email us at info@claimappeals.com, or call us at 321-283-5888 if you’re facing water damage. Insurance companies are less likely to deny or undervalue a claim when a policyholder works with an experienced property damage law firm.