Water Damage Claims in Cincinnati
A water damage incident’s aftermath can feel overwhelming—and battling with insurance companies over coverage only adds to that stress. That’s why having an experienced property damage and casualty lawyer by your side for the claims process is invaluable. At Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC, our attorneys have 20 years of experience helping Ohio and Kentucky residents receive fair compensation for their losses. Call (513) 434-6698 in Ohio or (859) 251-3591 in Kentucky for a free consultation, and let us help your family recover with peace of mind.
table of contents
- Common Sources of Water Damage and the Issues They Cause
- Steps to Take After a Burst Pipe
- Why Hire an Insurance Dispute Lawyer for a Water Damage Claim?
- What is Insurance Bad Faith for Water Damage Claims?
- What is the Time Limit to File a Water Damage Claim?
- Why Choose Lawrence & Associates for Your Water Damage Claim?
- Contact Our Water Damage Insurance Dispute Lawyers Serving Cincinnati, Ohio & Northern Kentucky
Common Sources of Water Damage and the Issues They Cause
Water damage claims are among the most complicated property claims from both a claimant’s and an insurer’s perspective. Most insurance policies cover damage from weather-related incidents, roof leaks, or plumbing issues. However, many do not cover flood damage or damage from frozen or burst pipes. Every homeowner’s insurance policy is different, but some common water damage issues that may be covered in your policy include the following.
Burst or Leaking Pipe Damage
Burst and leaking pipes typically result from freezing temperatures, corrosion, or plumbing and water pressure issues. They can cause flooding between walls, beneath floors, and in ceilings, which can cause mold growth and structural damage.
Roof Leak Damage
Roof leaks typically result from aging materials or storm damage. They can also cause ceiling leaks, drywall deterioration, insulation damage, and mold buildup.
Flooding Damage from Severe Weather
Severe weather, such as heavy rain, flash floods, or hurricanes, can cause flood damage. These hazards can also instigate structural instability and electrical hazards.
Sewer Backup Damage
Blocked sewer systems, broken pipes, or overgrown tree roots can cause unsanitary water flooding, precipitating irreplaceable damage inside the home.
Appliance Malfunctions
Leaks caused by faulty washing machines, dishwashers, or refrigerators can damage ceilings, subflooring, and cabinetry and trigger electrical issues.
HVAC System Issues
Improper HVAC system maintenance can cause leaks from clogged drains and condensation buildup. These issues can spawn ceiling and wall leaks, mold growth, and eventual HVAC failure.
Gutters with Clogs or Poor Drainage
Clogged gutters caused by debris buildup can block water flow and drainage, causing flooding in basements and crawl spaces and foundation cracks.
Steps to Take After a Burst Pipe
Besides contacting your insurance company immediately after a pipe bursts, there are numerous steps you can take to prevent further damage to your property and recover fair compensation for your losses.
- Seek a second opinion. You can contact a public adjuster in your area or an independent remediation contractor. If the carrier isn’t providing the coverage necessary to fully repair your home, having a second estimate may help justify your claim.
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Insurance companies are for-profit entities that make money by not paying large claims. They may offer less than your claim is worth or intimidate you into taking a lower offer. You can use the documentation you gathered about the extent of the damage and ask for a higher amount.
- Require justification for the offer. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate for a higher claim settlement, ask them how they arrived at the claim total. This is where your independent estimate may come in handy.
- Prove you kept your house in good repair. The carrier may try to justify a lower amount by claiming that you failed to properly maintain your home’s plumbing system and prevent leaks. If you have regular drain cleaning services or added insulation to your pipes, then you can use the documentation from these services to prove that you took reasonable steps to keep the plumbing system in good repair.
- Call a lawyer. An insurance carrier may take you more seriously when you have a lawyer on your side. An attorney who is familiar with the average insurance claim for burst pipes in your city and insurers’ tactics to avoid higher payouts can help you demand the full amount you need to repair the damage and move on.
Meagan Tate
Partner, Lawrence & Associates
“Insurance companies are in the business of evaluating and balancing risk. If your insurance company is not fairly evaluating your claim, you should hire an aggressive attorney with a winning record that can demonstrate to the insurance company that the financial risk of litigation outweighs the potential financial reward of undervaluing your claim.”
Why Hire an Insurance Dispute Lawyer for a Water Damage Claim?
When handling a water damage claim, an experienced lawyer with local knowledge of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky can help maximize and accelerate settlements by dismissing undervalued settlement offers, combatting claim denials, and spotting an insurer’s bad faith practices. If a claims adjuster or your insurance company denies coverage or has undervalued your claim, the team of attorneys at Lawrence & Associates can help.
What is Insurance Bad Faith for Water Damage Claims?
It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to devise delay tactics to avoid paying valid water damage claims. However, each state has laws designed to regulate insurers and how they handle policyholders’ claims. If your insurer has acted in bad faith by denying, delaying, or underpaying a valid water damage claim, you have legal options. You may be able to renegotiate your claim with the help of an attorney, file a complaint with your state’s insurance department, or even file an insurance bad faith.
What is the Time Limit to File a Water Damage Claim?
How long you have to file an Ohio or Kentucky insurance claim for storm damage varies by policy, but it’s always good practice to file a claim promptly after the storm. Most Kentucky policies require storm damage claims to be filed within one year of the disaster date. If your property damage is severe, it may take as long as 18 to 24 months to repair or rebuild your home and replace your possessions. Your insurance claim will stay open until the insurer has made all payments you’re owed under your policy.
Why Choose Lawrence & Associates for Your Water Damage Claim?
At Lawrence & Associates, we value our clients—that’s why we guarantee a set of outlined rights for everyone we work with in our Client Bill of Rights. We have the knowledge and experience to successfully handle your water damage claim in Cincinnati or northern Kentucky. However, what sets us apart from other firms is the level of respect we show our clients. Some of the rights our clients are guaranteed include:
- The Right to Full Analysis: At the beginning of your case, meet with a specialist who can evaluate the facts and ensure you’re filing the right claim
- The Right to Efficiency: Lawsuits are not short but should be resolved as quickly as possible. We endeavor to resolve your case more speedily than our competition would do.
- The Right to Updates: Your attorney will provide regular updates. This way, you’ll know what’s happening when it happens and that everything is moving forward normally, even during less active times.
- The Right to Specialization: At Lawrence & Associates, our attorneys limit themselves to a maximum of two practice areas to avoid becoming a jack of all trades but a master of none.
- The Right to Authority: Your legal team understands you call the shots when settling or filing your case. The case belongs to you, and every decision is yours.
Taking Property Damage Insurance Claims Personally
A partner at Lawrence & Associates and the leader of the firm’s Property and Casualty Insurance Claim Team, Meagan Tate joined the firm in 2021 after working in insurance defense for nearly a decade. This experience gave Meagan a deep knowledge of the tactics insurance companies may employ to deny valid claims. Having made the switch to represent injured people, Meagan now uses this unique perspective to resolve cases for those in need.
“Insurance companies are in the business of evaluating and balancing risk. If your insurance company is not fairly evaluating your claim, you should hire an aggressive attorney with a winning record that can demonstrate to the insurance company that the financial risk of litigation outweighs the potential financial reward of undervaluing your claim.” – Meagan Tate, Partner, Lawrence & Associates
Our compassionate and experienced trial attorneys are here to give you a measure of justice and financial relief for what you’ve been through.
Our Case Results
Contact Our Water Damage Insurance Dispute Lawyers Serving Cincinnati, Ohio & Northern Kentucky
When water damage disrupts your home, you don’t have to face the insurance process alone. Let the experienced and compassionate team of insurance dispute attorneys at Lawrence & Associates in Cincinnati and Northern KY fight for the settlement you deserve so you can focus on rebuilding what matters most. Call (513) 434-6698 in Ohio or (859) 251-3591 in Kentucky for a free consultation, and let us help your family recover with peace of mind. Lawrence & Associates can help answer all of your questions about property and casualty claims.
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