Start with what a claim is
A water damage claim is a request to your insurer to pay for a loss your policy covers. The insurer decides whether the loss is covered, what the policy limits are and how much is owed. A restoration company cannot decide that for you, and a good one will not pretend it can.
What a restoration company can do is document the damage, the cause and the work. Clear records speed up the claim, and mistakes in the first 48 hours are the ones most people regret.
The order of operations
Stop the water
Shut the main valve or the fixture valve. Insurers expect you to prevent further damage.
Call your insurer
Report the loss quickly and follow their instructions for stopping the leak.
Document everything
Photograph and video the source, the water and the damaged items before you move or throw anything away.
Start mitigation
Water extraction and drying are the part of the job that cannot wait for an adjuster.
Keep a written log
Dates, names, claim numbers and what each person told you.
Review the scope
Compare the insurer's estimate to the written scope of the work.
Need documentation for a claim?
Call the 24/7 line. We record the damage, readings and scope in writing.
What the state says about timelines
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner says your insurer has 30 days from the date you filed the claim to inspect the damage and that the insurer is not required to send an adjuster. It also says the insurer should accept, deny or send a written delay notice within 30 days of starting a claim, and then update you every 30 days.
If your policy requires mitigation, the commissioner says insurers have five business days to approve a mitigation scope. That is a reason to start drying right away and to keep the scope in writing.
What the state says about your rights
- You may choose your own contractor.
- You may hire a public adjuster, who must be licensed in Washington.
- You may request an appraisal if you disagree about the amount of the loss.
- You can contact the commissioner's consumer advocacy line at 800-562-6900.
What is usually covered and what is not
| Event | State guidance |
|---|---|
| Sudden pipe burst. | Usually covered if reported quickly and the insurer's recommendations are followed. |
| Frozen pipe. | Covered as long as you heat your home properly. |
| Gradual leak. | Most policies do not cover leaks that continue for long. |
| Groundwater seepage. | Usually not covered. |
| Flood. | A typical home policy does not cover flooding. |
| Damage left unrepaired. | Not covered if you delay repairs. |
These are general statements from the state. Your policy controls, so read it and ask your insurer about your situation.
Common mistakes that hurt claims
Waiting to report
Delay lets damage grow, and policies expect prompt notice. Call the insurer the day you find the loss.
Throwing things away early
Keep damaged materials and take photos until the adjuster has looked, or until your insurer says otherwise.
Skipping the drying
Skipping water mitigation lets a covered loss become a mold problem.
Verbal-only agreements
Get the scope, price and schedule in writing before work starts.
How we help
We explain the scope and price before work starts. We photograph the damage, record moisture readings and write down the work so that you have a record to give your insurer. We do not promise approval and we do not state what any insurer will pay.
If the water is still standing, start with emergency water removal. Documentation can begin the same hour.
What a good written scope looks like
A written scope lists each room, the materials affected, the water category and the work to be done. It gives moisture readings before and after drying. It names the equipment placed and the days it ran.
A vague scope that says only water damage restoration gives an adjuster nothing to compare. A detailed one saves arguments later. Ask for it before work starts and keep a copy with your claim number.
If you disagree with the insurer's decision
- Ask for the denial or the reduced estimate in writing, with the policy language the insurer relied on.
- Compare the insurer's estimate to your contractor's written scope line by line.
- Ask whether the policy offers an appraisal process, which the state lists as an option if you disagree about the amount of the loss.
- Consider a licensed public adjuster, and read the contract carefully before signing.
- Contact the commissioner's consumer advocacy line at 800-562-6900 for help understanding your options.
None of this is legal advice. If the dispute is large, a lawyer who handles insurance matters can tell you more about your rights.
Getting the loss on paper
Documentation starts on the first visit, with extraction under emergency water removal and readings during water damage cleanup.
Homeowners in Woodinville and Kenmore can call the same line, and the same written scope applies.
Common questions
The state says insurers have 30 days from the date you file to inspect the damage and should accept, deny or send a written delay notice within 30 days of starting a claim. Rules and timelines are updated, so check the commissioner's site.
Yes. The Washington commissioner says you may choose your own contractor.
We document the loss and the work in writing. Your claim is between you and your insurer, and we do not promise any outcome.
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner runs a consumer advocacy line at 800-562-6900. The Bothell address makes no difference, because the state regulates insurers statewide.