First time having to navigate a home insurance claim and I’m under pressure to make a decision as I’m on day 4 of no water in my home and they want me to sign a work order today if I’m moving ahead with a claim.
Had some septic issues and had a bunch of sewage water coming up through my basement floor drain. The septic company comes today to pump it out and do an inspection. In the meantime, my insurance sent out a contractor yesterday and determined:
-Emergency clean up and tear out of damaged flooring and walls was estimated to cost approximately $15,000
-I’m covered under comprehensive water but my deductible is $2,000
-This was poo poo water so I definitely want to make sure things are torn out and sanitized accordingly
Insurance says all work they do is guaranteed, unless I take the cash value for repairs. My questions are:
1) This is worth claiming, right? $2k deductible is high so I don’t know if $15k is a high enough quote to justify that.
2) Am I fucking myself over for a future hike in rates? Could they do the emergency clean out and then deny my claim if it turns out my septic tank was just full? (Wondering if that would be considered “maintenance” and thus denied)
3) Do people normally have insurance cover the repairs or take the cash and do it themselves? Would insurance really just cut me a cheque for $15,000 if that’s what was quoted? That seems too easy.
Thanks!
Posted by Dani_California