What to Do After a Pipe Break in Your Home or Business

Residential homes and businesses throughout Florida can suffer from catastrophic water damage after a pipe break. Nationwide, studies show that water mains are breaking by increasing numbers in the US and Canada over recent years, and Florida is not exempt from this exposure. 

Protect yourself and ensure you get the compensation you deserve by acting quickly. The information below reveals what you need to do if you have experienced a pipe break.

Does Insurance cover Water Damage from a Pipe Break?

Nearly all homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage caused by a pipe break because these incidents occur suddenly and unexpectedly. However, the insurance company sees its job as paying out as little as possible. Therefore, they will do everything in their power to find a way to exclude coverage for these types of losses.

Signs of a Broken Water Pipe

Identifying a broken water pipe quickly and acting immediately is crucial for limiting the extent of the damages

Signs of a Busted Water Pipe May Include:

• Inconsistent Water Pressure
• Back-ups through toilets, showers, drains
• Smelly, Contaminated Water
• The leaking of water from any part of the plumbing system or flooding
• Hot spots in certain parts of your floor
• An abnormal spike in your water bill

Over time, you may also notice other damages, including mold or watermarks,. At this point, extensive damages have likely occurred.

Act Immediately After a Pipe Break

Immediately do the following if you believe you may have experienced a pipe break.

1.) Turn off the Water Main or Water Source

The first thing that you must do is turn off the water main or water source.

2.) Document the Scene

Take photos and video evidence of all the damaged areas, including the actual water leak, if you witness the loss occurring. Please don't throw away any items.

3.) File a Claim with the Insurance Company

File a claim as soon as possible with the insurance company. 

4.) Contact a Pipe Break Attorney Like Cernitz Law

Contact a pipe break attorney immediately to help navigate the claims process, as the insurance companies may play games, deliberately delay investigating your claim and making a decision, and other tactics.   

5.) Prevent Further Damage

Understandably, you may need to dry up the water, mitigate damages and/or make temporary repairs to your plumbing system. Save all receipts as evidence of incurred losses.

Contact a Top Property Insurance Claim Attorney to Review Your Policy

Obtain a copy of your homeowners’ policy and contact a property insurance claim attorney to review the extent of your coverage. Each policy is unique in variances and the extent of coverage provided. The insurance company intentionally uses complex and confusing language to complicate the claims process further.

Your attorney can help you review your policy and coverages, gather evidence, and file a claim.

Never Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company

The biggest issue with property damage claims is the insurance company is likely to approve a claim but for far less than its worth. You deserve to be compensated for 100% of the resulting losses. Only accept an offer from the insurance company after first speaking with a legal professional to determine what your case is worth.

A Pipe Break Lawyer Can Help if Your Claim is Denied

The insurance company may attempt to deny your claim. A pipe break lawyer can help you file a lawsuit to fight if the insurance company, even if your claim has been denied.

Contact an Experienced Pipe Break Attorney Today

Reach out to an experienced pipe break attorney today to get the compensation you are due for your water damage claim. Allow our team of experienced property damage lawyers to deal with the insurance company. At Cernitz Law, we spent years working for insurance companies. We know their games and how to beat them.

Let our team fight for you. Reach out to Cernitz Law if you have been impacted by a pipe break, leak, or other event and have issues recovering your justified compensation. Don’t let the insurance company dominate. Don't hesitate to contact Cernitz Law at 305-370-3255 or visit online to schedule a free consultation.