Water damage and your insurance claim

What to do first

1. Make it safe — shut off the water at the main valve and keep power away from wet areas
2. Photograph everything before any cleanup — photos and video with timestamps
3. Report the loss to your insurer early
4. Get mitigation started — extraction and drying right away

What’s usually covered

• Sudden and accidental damage — burst pipes, appliance failures, a sudden roof leak
• Often NOT covered — slow leaks, deferred maintenance, and flood from rising water or storm surge, which needs separate flood insurance

What to document

Photos with timestamps, a list of damaged items with rough values, receipts for emergency repairs, and the drying logs and moisture readings the restoration crew produces. That paperwork is what your adjuster actually works from.

Florida timing

Florida shortened the claim notice deadline for newer policies — report early, and verify the current deadline that applies to your policy before assuming you have months.

Working with your adjuster

Keep copies of everything. Get written estimates. And let mitigation start immediately — insurers expect you to prevent further damage, and waiting can cost you part of the claim.

This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your own policy.