Floods are terrifying, havoc-wreaking, and all too common in Houston, TX. But, as they’re a part of life in the region, you need to be prepared to handle one when it strikes. With that in mind, Memorial Insurance Agency is here to give you the three-step process of filing a flood claim.
Contact
The basics of first contact will require you to provide the name of your insurance company (plenty of agents represent multiple insurers), your policy number and a way to contact you. That third item can be deceptively tricky. Flood damage is usually accompanied by displacement, so you might be harder to reach than normal. Additionally, most flood events hit a lot of people at one time, so your insurance company might be scrambling to meet needs. Make a contact plan when you talk to your agent to ensure you can get them what they need so they can take care of you.
Document
Documentation is the backbone of all insurance claims; floods are no exception. The first part of the process is photographing all of the damage, but floods come with some inherent danger. When it’s safe, take pictures of everything from structural damage to ruined items that you plan to trash. Also, don’t trash anything yet. You’ll want to make a complete list to pair with your pictures and provide as much proof of value as you can (think receipts). Once your adjuster tells you it’s ok, you can throw away ruined items. In some cases, they might want to hang on to damaged stuff.
Proof of Loss
This is the major paperwork step. Usually, your adjuster will help. Basically, this is where you get all of the documentation together and certified by the insurance company so they can process the claim. It can feel like a headache, but it’s a vital step. By and large, you want to follow the advice of your adjustor for this part.
While the process can feel monotonous, having a clear picture from the start can help you avoid situations that will cost you time and money. Regardless, Memorial Insurance Agency will be here the next time floods strike the Houston, TX, area.