by Guest » Sat Aug 06, 2011 09:24 pm
We put in a claim to our insurance company (AAA) this past week for the first time ever. After multiple heavy rains with incredible winds (i.e. 60-80mph) recently in what has been the worst summer season for storms ever in our area, we have recently had water leaking through a wall in our family room.
We first noticed it as it leaked through the corner of one of our windows (and when I say leak, I mean pouring through it to the inside of our house!). You can see dried water marks all over our blinds and water damage to the trim around the inside of the window as well as to the wall behind the trim. We tried to caulk outside around the window, but when we used a moisture meter we purchased at the hardware store, we realized there is water elsewhere in the wall. We had our window guy out as he installed the windows 4 years ago, and he says it is NOT a window issue - that it has to do with water getting behind the siding, roof, or flashing.
I can visibly see some pieces of siding have moved in that general area, one specifically hanging off and you can see the plastic lining underneath it and a rusted nail. In addition, the whole wall of siding on the side of our garage is visibly buckling or now looks "wavy." Have not been on our roof b/c I can't get up there, but I can see some shingles lifted up in some spots. And it appears that there are hail dents to our gutters that come down on the side of the house.
We have no idea why the wall is getting wet - if it's due to damaged siding, roof, or the flashing, but we know it's not pipe-related as it coincided with these freakish storms.
The insurance adjuster/assessor is coming out Monday morning to look around. Will he get up on the roof and will he help us figure out how the water is leaking in? Will he pull off the trim around our window inside to see more damage (I do have pictures of this, too)? Our siding is aluminum, so if we do need new siding due to wind/storm damage, will they just try to replace those pieces that are moved/hanging/buckled?
I have no idea how this process goes, what to expect, and whether or not any of this may be approved in the claim, so just trying to learn more upfront.
Thanks in advance!
We first noticed it as it leaked through the corner of one of our windows (and when I say leak, I mean pouring through it to the inside of our house!). You can see dried water marks all over our blinds and water damage to the trim around the inside of the window as well as to the wall behind the trim. We tried to caulk outside around the window, but when we used a moisture meter we purchased at the hardware store, we realized there is water elsewhere in the wall. We had our window guy out as he installed the windows 4 years ago, and he says it is NOT a window issue - that it has to do with water getting behind the siding, roof, or flashing.
I can visibly see some pieces of siding have moved in that general area, one specifically hanging off and you can see the plastic lining underneath it and a rusted nail. In addition, the whole wall of siding on the side of our garage is visibly buckling or now looks "wavy." Have not been on our roof b/c I can't get up there, but I can see some shingles lifted up in some spots. And it appears that there are hail dents to our gutters that come down on the side of the house.
We have no idea why the wall is getting wet - if it's due to damaged siding, roof, or the flashing, but we know it's not pipe-related as it coincided with these freakish storms.
The insurance adjuster/assessor is coming out Monday morning to look around. Will he get up on the roof and will he help us figure out how the water is leaking in? Will he pull off the trim around our window inside to see more damage (I do have pictures of this, too)? Our siding is aluminum, so if we do need new siding due to wind/storm damage, will they just try to replace those pieces that are moved/hanging/buckled?
I have no idea how this process goes, what to expect, and whether or not any of this may be approved in the claim, so just trying to learn more upfront.
Thanks in advance!
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 09:59 pm Post Subject:
If he has experience in these matters and if it's even possible to see what is causing the damage he might know. He certainly won't tear anything off the home or anything like that. There is a good possibility that he will take photos of the damages and note this but then he will ask you to hire someone to see what is causing the issue. If it turns out to be a covered loss then they will pay for the expense. If it's not a covered loss, than you will need to pay for it.
As a home owner you have the obligation to address the issue even if not covered by insurance.
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 10:57 pm Post Subject:
Should I have had a roof/siding company out to figure out the problem first and point out the problems?
Right after we put the claim in, I called a siding company I know of to explain to him the water issue and he also thought it was due to a damaged roof/flashing issue or else damaged siding. He said to put the claim in first and then call them to come out depending on what the adjuster's outcome was.
I will be the one home and dealing with the adjuster. I have read others saying something about offering money on the spot instead of submitting the claim. What is that about and how do you handle that, especially if you don't feel the amount is adequate?
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 04:18 pm Post Subject:
I would highly suggest you contact a couple contractors prior to the adjustors visit. Have them determine the cause and put together a rough bid. Pick one and make sure they can make it out when the adjustor comes. The whole process goes much smoother if your contractor and adjustor can just hash out the claim on the spot. Then the adjustor will head out, write up the claim based on what he and the contractor discussed and you get a check in 7 to 10 days. I'm unaware of a check being issued on site.
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 04:19 pm Post Subject:
Oops just reread, and I'd imagine this will be a done deal by the time you see my message. Hope all went well!
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 07:50 pm Post Subject:
Thanks for your input Max....
The adjuster came today and unfortunately couldn't find a cause for the water leaking. He will send an estimate/check for interior damage done by water leaking inside though. I have a roofer/siding company or two planning on coming by to figure out the issue and the adjuster did say if those guys found a reason why it was weather related, to call him back.
He did put in the estimate dented gutters though and a panel or two of siding I think - from hail damage. And he said if we found more inside damage as we have a contractor fix the inside damage, we can call and have them add that on as well.
So on we go trying to figure out what caused the leak!
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 02:02 pm Post Subject:
My experience has taught me that most of these adjustors are pretty good folks that "like to give away money", as one told me recently. In my case, there is a disconnect between the boots on the ground and the guys who sign the checks. However, I don't think it's the norm. I believe these meetings and claims typically go off without a hitch. My suggestion was more of a time saver than anything. Regardless, hope you find your leak, and I hope you get things fixed up quickly.
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:20 am Post Subject:
After the filing of your claim an adjuster will want to visit your property. Sometimes an adjuster may be late.some insurance companies have a policy of taking a recorded statement. If you are interviewed then simply answer the
questions.
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