As a homeowner, you invest a great deal of time, money, love, imagination, and hard work into your house and property.
Of course, you hope nothing will go seriously wrong. Still, you purchase homeowner’s insurance to give you peace of mind and to ensure you’re financially protected if your home and belongings are damaged by unpredictable events such as fire, vandalism, theft, or storms.
Today, climate change is causing increasingly erratic weather patterns. Natural disasters, including severe storms and wildfires, are becoming more frequent and devastating.
In 2023, nine “atmospheric rivers” pummeled the western United States, dumping record amounts of rain and snow. According to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, more than 32 trillion gallons of water drenched California, racking up $4.6 billion in damages.
Early in 2024, torrential “Pineapple Express” storms soaked Southern California, depositing more than a foot of rain in less than two days. This new wave of atmospheric rivers triggered life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas with vulnerable burn scars. February’s rainfall came just one inch short of the area’s record set in 1998. More rain has already arrived throughout the waterlogged region in early March — and the season isn’t over yet.
Due to skyrocketing costs and the increasing difficulty of acquiring and keeping homeowner’s insurance in a state prone to various natural disasters, many homeowners are taking a significant risk and simply going without. Several major carriers have pulled back or out of the California homeowner’s insurance market recently.
But even insurance holders often find out at the worst possible moment that the standard homeowner’s policy does not include coverage for flooding — damage to property from water, mud, debris, fallen rocks, downed trees, and so forth. Less than 2% of California homeowners have flood insurance — yet close to a quarter of Californians live in areas now at high risk for flooding.
What If Your home Is Damaged by Flood?
Severe flood damage can be extremely upsetting, even traumatic. It’s essential to act swiftly but try not to panic.
First, prioritize safety! Stay away from the impacted area. Floodwaters can be harmful to your health in numerous ways. Depending on the source, they may be contaminated, contain hidden debris, electrical hazards, or other dangerous conditions. Contact emergency services immediately if you believe there is a safety risk.
Next, contact a public insurance adjuster. When there’s damage to the home, most homeowners’ first impulse is to call their insurance company. Remember, though, that while your insurance carrier has adjusters to assess your property damage, they work for the company, which typically wants to make the minimum possible payout.
Whether or not you believe your homeowner’s insurance policy covers the type of damage you are experiencing, it’s wise to contact a qualified public insurance adjuster before calling your insurer or beginning a claim.
A public insurance adjuster is a licensed independent professional with expertise in the insurance industry. Many also specialize in a related field, such as construction — which gives them a firm grasp of the repairing and rebuilding process, the associated costs, how to mitigate further damage, and so on.
How a Public Insurance Adjuster Can Help
Dealing with an insurance company over flood damage claims can be a complex, frustrating, and overwhelming process — especially in the aftermath of a distressing event.
An experienced and reputable public insurance adjuster will help you navigate all necessary steps, streamline the claims process, ensure smooth communication on both ends and receive fair compensation while avoiding litigation.
A public insurance adjuster will:
- Evaluate the extent of loss or damage.
- Document damage with reports, photos, videos, etc.
- Calculate the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.
- Interpret and explain your policy; help you understand your coverage’s fine print, complex language, and nuances.
- Prepare and organize everything you need to make a claim (gather evidence, fill out forms, provide detailed estimates).
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Advocate for the client; negotiate with the insurer.
- Resolve disputes, arranging alternative resolution methods (arbitration, mediation) to avoid a legal battle.
A skilled public insurance adjuster can help navigate a complex, often emotional process and ultimately make your claim more effective and help you get a fair payout.
John Petrov is a contractor and public insurance adjuster with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry.
