When you work with the Disaster Insurance Claims team at Long & Long Attorneys at Law, you’ll be paired with an experienced water damage insurance claims attorney dedicated to seeking the settlement you deserve. With our extensive experience and proven expertise on your side, you’ll be in a much better position to combat any pushback the insurance company may give you as you’re trying to recover your losses. Water damage is incredibly destructive, and you deserve to be covered for the full extent of the damages.
A Trusted Ally
When the insurance company denies your right to compensation, you can rest assured knowing you have a trusted ally on your side fighting for what’s right.
Results That Matter
When your life is turned upside-down, you need results that matter. We’ve helped policyowners collect more than $950 million in compensation, and we want to help you, too.
Free Policy Review
If you aren’t sure what to expect from your insurance company, call us right now, and we’ll review your policy, sharing our expert legal advice, at no cost to you.
Water Damage Is Surprisingly Destructive
Homeowners often underestimate just how damaging water can be. Once it seeps through your walls and insulation, entire sections of your property can be damaged beyond repair and require replacement. This is a stressful and costly process, so our team strives to make it as easy as possible for you. We’ll deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on rebuilding.
We Have Collected Over$950 Million for Policyholders
At Long & Long we’ve secured more than $950 million in settlements for policyholders. With extensive experience and knowledge of the insurance industry, our legal team excels at navigating the claims process and putting forth the evidence necessary to get you the settlement you deserve — even if it means fighting in court.
What Comes Next?
Whether your claim has been denied and you are seeking to appeal or your policy is so confusing that you are unsure where to even begin with filing a claim, the first step is a free policy review. Our experienced water damage insurance claims attorneys will go over your policy at no cost to determine the best way to get your maximum compensation.
When you file a water damage insurance claim with your insurance company, the insurance adjuster will be sent out to your home or business to assess the damages. Often, these assessments do not reflect the true extent of the water damage, and they are done with your least possible payout in mind. When Long & Long is on your case, we conduct our own expert investigation to provide as evidence to the insurance company that you deserve more.
You have the right to a fair settlement, and insurance companies will seek to deny you that right by offering to underpay for your claim. They know you are needing compensation for your damages as soon as possible, so they expect you to accept less than what your claim is worth. Let our team of dedicated insurance claims attorneys handle all the negotiations while you and your family focus on recovering from this disaster.
If your insurance company is not willing to offer a fair settlement through negotiations, we are willing to fight tirelessly for you in court to maximize your claim.
Our attorneys know that there is no time to waste in these situations. You have to pay for costly repairs, replace broken or damaged appliances, maybe even hire pest control or mold removal services to deal with the effects of the water damage. That is why we don’t stop until the check gets to you, and you don’t owe a thing unless we win. Contact us today, and let’s begin rebuilding together.
The Insurance Adjuster is Not Your Friend
After you file an insurance claim for water damage, an insurance adjuster will likely conduct an investigation. The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company, and it is his job to underpay your claim. To maximize your claim, call a water damage insurance claims attorney immediately. Unlike a public adjuster, an insurance claims attorney has the legal knowledge and the ability to follow through on your recovery. Not only will an attorney conduct a more accurate assessment of the damage, but public adjusters often pass the case on to a lawyer themselves. If this happens, you’ll be paying for the assessment twice. Don’t wait. Contact Long & Long today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water damage can vary quite a bit. It can be centered in an isolated area or spread out more extensively. It can seep into a property for days or remain flooded in a property for weeks. The extent of the damage depends on what the water touched, and for how long it was there for.
Unfortunately, water damage can be a bit more impactful than you might think. Discoloration on walls and ceilings is just the beginning. Water damage can allow for the growth of mildew and mold, the latter of which can be dangerous to your health. It can also attract pests like termites. Structural damage may also occur. Depending on the extent of the water damage, the integrity of your home as a whole could be compromised. That’s why it’s so important to hire a competent water damage insurance claims attorney.
Strictly speaking, flood damage and water damage fall under two different types of coverage. Water damage coverage is fairly typical in the average homeowners policy, while flood damage is something extra and usually requires a separate policy. In order to qualify as flood damage, at least 2 acres of land that’s normally dry has to be submerged in water, or two or more adjacent properties.
Sewer and drain backups can cause extensive water damage, and these backups are often covered in many homeowners insurance policies. Make sure to read through your policy to determine where you stand on the matter, and consult with an insurance claims attorney to determine how your claim should be presented to the insurance company.
Broken appliances like dishwashers or washing machines can cause significant water damage if they malfunction. Fortunately, this is often covered under most homeowners insurance policies. There are conditions, however, as the appliance must actually be broken rather than just installed incorrectly.
At Long & Long, we won’t charge you a penny until we’ve won your case. Because of that, you can always count on us to fight for your best interests.
If your home or business sustains damage:
Follow these steps to get the most out of your claim.
DOCUMENT YOUR DAMAGED PROPERTY
Take photographs of the property, making sure to showcase all areas with water damage.
DON’T SUBMIT A CONTRACTOR BID
Wait until after work has begun before submitting contractor bids.
BEWARE OF UNDERINSURANCE PENALTIES
Under-insurance penalties can mean you may receive much less than what you need.
CONSULT AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY
Reach out to your water damage insurance claims attorneys at Long & Long as soon as you can. Oftentimes, public adjusters will hand claims over to attorneys anyway, meaning you could get charged twice.
Common Water Damage Claims Insurance Companies Deny
The most common cause for the denial of water damage claims is gradual damage. Most insurers won’t cover gradual water damage, alleging that you should’ve taken precautions to prevent the damage from getting too severe. While that can genuinely be the case, a lot of gradual damage goes unseen until it’s too late.
Just about every homeowners insurance policy contains exceptions for wear and tear damage. Essentially, insurers expect you to keep up with that kind of damage yourself and take the proper precautions. Regular maintenance on your home is a great way to stay prepared.
Flood damage is treated as something separate from general water damage for insurance companies. Your typical homeowners insurance policy will likely contain coverage for water damage, but flood insurance will have to be purchased separately. There are specific rules for what qualifies as flood damage, so be sure to consult with a lawyer if an insurer denies you compensation on those grounds.
Call Long & Long, Attorneys on Your Side
If your home or property has suffered water damage, and you are in need of compensation from your insurer, don’t wait to find out what you’re truly owed. An insurance adjuster will try everything they can to keep from paying you for your damages. At Long & Long, we are your ally in your fight to get compensated. We offer free policy reviews and work on a contingency fee-basis, so you don’t have to worry about paying any fees unless we win for you! Call or fill out our online form today.