Dealing with water damage is stressful enough without the added complexity of navigating an insurance claim. At ASAP Pro Services, we've helped hundreds of Oklahoma homeowners through this process. Here's the step-by-step approach that gets claims approved faster.
Step 1: Document Everything Immediately
Before you touch anything, grab your phone and start documenting. Take wide-angle photos of every affected room, then close-ups of specific damage. Record video walkthroughs with narration describing what you see. Note the date and approximate time the damage was discovered. This initial documentation is the foundation of your entire claim.
Step 2: Mitigate Further Damage
Your insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. This means turning off the water source if possible, moving valuables out of affected areas, and calling a professional restoration company. Important: mitigation costs are almost always covered by your policy, so don't hesitate to call for emergency help.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
File your claim as soon as possible, most Oklahoma policies require notification within a reasonable time frame. Have your policy number ready and be prepared to describe the damage, the cause, and what mitigation steps you've taken. Ask for your claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster.
Step 4: Get a Professional Assessment
Your restoration company should provide a detailed scope of work that includes moisture readings, affected square footage, and a room-by-room breakdown. At ASAP Pro, we use industry-standard software (Xactimate) that insurance companies trust, which means fewer disputes and faster approvals.
Step 5: Work With Your Adjuster
When the insurance adjuster visits, make sure your restoration company is present or has provided thorough documentation. Key items adjusters need: moisture maps showing readings before and after drying, photo documentation of all damage, an itemized estimate, and daily drying logs.
What's Typically Covered (and What Isn't)
Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, burst pipes, appliance failures, storm damage through the roof. They typically do not cover gradual damage from deferred maintenance, flooding from external sources (that requires separate flood insurance), or sewage backups unless you have a specific endorsement.
How ASAP Pro Helps With Your Claim
We provide direct insurance billing, meaning we work directly with your insurance company to handle paperwork, documentation, and payment. Our detailed moisture maps, daily drying logs, and Xactimate estimates give adjusters exactly what they need to process your claim quickly.
Call (405) 992-4111 for emergency water damage restoration with full insurance coordination.