Natural disasters can cause widespread damage to homes and properties, leaving people struggling to pick up the pieces. Floods can be especially devastating, causing extensive damage to homes, personal property, and assets. If you’ve been affected by a flood, it’s important to document the damage so you can receive the full policy entitlement from your insurance company.
Here are five tips to help you document flood damage following a natural disaster:
- Take photos and videos
As soon as it’s safe to do so, take photos and videos of the damage to your home and property. Make sure to document the extent of the damage, including close-ups and wide shots of the affected areas. This will provide visual evidence for your insurance claim. - Keep a list of damaged item
Create a detailed list of all the items that were damaged in the flood, including (where possible) their make, model, serial number, and a description of the damage. This will help provide proof of ownership for your insurance claim.
- Document the source of the water
If possible, determine the source of the flood water and document it with photos or videos. This will help your insurance company determine if the damage was caused by a natural disaster or another source. - Save receipts and invoices
Keep all receipts and invoices related to the flood damage, such as those for temporary housing, food, and supplies used during the clean-up process. These will be necessary to support your insurance claim. - Contact your insurance company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process so you can receive your entitlement under the policy so you can recover from the flood. Provide them with all the documentation you have gathered, including photos, videos, receipts, and invoices.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you have full documentation of your flood damage. This will help you receive the full entitlement under your insurance policy and allow you to begin the process of replacing items, rebuilding and recovering from the flood.
Shine Lawyers – we’re here to help
Shine Lawyers has a team of expert insurance lawyers who have successfully helped hundreds of homeowners to achieve the best outcomes with their general insurance claims.
Our team will investigate your claim, explain all the options available to you and provide advice on securing the best outcome for your home.
Get in touch today to book an obligation-free consultation.
