How to save the deductible after getting water damage

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Water obeys the law of gravity. Therefore, look down when looking for water damage.

Water damage payment may include work you can do yourself

If you incur water damage and get reimbursed by your insurance company, you can avoid paying the deductible. Hire yourself as a contractor.

Unpleasant return home

Elmer and his family went on vacation for a week. When they returned, they saw the upstairs bathtub had overflown. This created water damage both upstairs and downstairs. Water soaked the floor and drained to the kitchen downstairs. Apparently someone left the drain closed and the faucet had a slow leak.

Elmer called SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County and his insurance company, which was the right thing to do. SERVPRO came out, assessed the water damage and presented Elmer with an estimate. $12,000. Elmer has a $1,000 deductible on his homeowners’ insurance.

Scope of work

The water damage remediation work includes removing soiled drywall, studs, flooring and ceiling materials. The project second phase involves removing airborne mold particles and getting mold counts down to a healthy level. The third phase involves installing new studs, drywall, flooring and ceiling materials. The fourth and final phase involves painting the new drywall.

SERVPRO did the water damage remediation work he and the SERVPRO Office Manager agreed they should do. This includes all work listed above, except for the painting. Elmer felt he could do that himself. Upon completion, Elmer’s insurance company paid him $12,000. He paid SERVPRO $11,000. The remaining $1,000, which is his deductible, covers his cost for painting the new drywall.

He does some of the work

Elmer is an honest man. He buys the paint and paints the new drywall. He is also a businessman. He wants to reduce spending every chance he can get. Pocketing the deductible and doing some work himself helps Elmer get his house back in order and save some cash.

If you incur water damage from a storm event, do not delay. Your top priority is finding and stopping the leak. You can work with the insurance company and water damage remediation experts to create the scope of work and arrange payment. You can save the deductible by doing some of the work yourself.