| A flood can be a homeowners worst nightmare, | | | | they are willing and able to compensate you for the |
| especially if it engulfs almost the entire house like | | | | loss of your property and help determine just how |
| many of the homes that were made uninhabitable by | | | | extensive the water damage is. |
| Hurricane Katrina a few years ago. | | | | If your contact information changes in any way, let |
| In case you ever have to face this catastrophe, here | | | | your insurance adjuster know as soon as possible. If |
| are a few tips on how to deal with it and file the | | | | you are in a shelter of some kind or staying with a |
| insurance claim. Depending on the amount of water | | | | relative or friend, give your adjuster the name of |
| damage to your home, it may be salvageable and it | | | | someone who has the ability to reach you. |
| may not, but the first step is getting your claim filed. | | | | If you can not get home, it is best to make a list of |
| The first thing you should do after the water has | | | | as many items as you can think of that may need to |
| been cleared from your home, call your insurance | | | | be replaced or repaired in your home. |
| agent or company as soon as you can. | | | | Computers, television sets, clothing, expensive |
| If you can, have your name, policy number, and a | | | | electronic equipment, books, and etcetera should be |
| phone number or e-mail address that you can be | | | | listed here. List anything of value that could have |
| reached at handy when you call. This will speed up | | | | been water damaged or lost. |
| the process more than you think. | | | | If you can return home, you should separate the |
| When you are filing your claim, request a time frame | | | | damaged items from the undamaged items and take |
| for when your adjuster will be sent to your home. | | | | pictures of your property to give the adjuster a |
| Try to be patient, especially if you live in an area that | | | | good idea of the kind of loss you have endured. |
| has withstood extensive damage due to a river | | | | Even if this event has never happened to you or if |
| flowing over its banks or a dam that has burst. The | | | | you are not expecting any water damage like this to |
| water damage to your home depends upon just how | | | | your home any time soon (and who really is), one of |
| high the water rose in and around it. | | | | the best things that you can do for your home is to |
| Once the adjuster has become available and is able | | | | take a video every year of your home and its |
| to reach you and your home. | | | | contents. |
| He or she will help you determine just how much | | | | |