This is the attempt for blog #2.

Goal: have 1 to 5 people read/interact with it

Topic: Flood Risk – Natural Disaster, Hard Rain or Operational Failure (water escape)

What To Do If a Major Rain is coming…

• If you have a basement, check to make sure your sump pump is working
  • The purpose of a sump pump is to detect when water level is rising in the water table (the wet dirt level is rising and getting closer to the surface); ground is saturated – sump pump pit is filling, so sump pump will pump water out to a drainage pipe on your property below the surface
  • Consider having a back up sump pump that runs off a battery (can be found at local hardware stores or ask a plumber)
    • It is best to have it installed by a plumber or someone who knows what they are doing – example: Comber Plumbing: Ron Lanoue
    • Insurance companies prefer that it has been installed by a professional
    • Tell your insurance broker when you have had this done and state that it has been professionally installed, as this can result in DISCOUNT
    • For those homes without a basement, there will be a crawl space where a sump pump pit can be installed – contact a plumber or local contractor

Tips for Preventing Water Escape (Operational Failure causing flood or leak)

• Check all water hoses – look for leaks, wear & tear, replace plastic hoses with more durable options, inspect pipe fittings (plastic fittings breakdown faster than metal ones)
  • Water hose locations: dishwasher, ice maker, water on fridge, behind toilet, under sink, water pipes in basement or garage
  • Check for foundation cracks and have them repaired

What to do when you find water where it doesn’t belong

• Determine where the water is coming from so the source can be stopped, if able
  • If it’s coming from a pipe – turn off water
  • If its coming from sewer system (coming up the drains) – wait it out
    • NOTE: this is why we are not supposed to have showers, run dishwasher, flush toilets or do laundry during rain storms – stop the sewer system from being overloaded and thus less likely to cause a sewage backup – you DO NOT want this
    • Call your broker to determine if you have coverage
      • They will ask how much water, what kind of water – clear water (slower to grow mold) OR grey water (sewage water)
    • Insurance Broker will review your coverage with you and ask if you want to submit a claim
      • If YES, the broker will contact the insurance company who will contact a restoration company to setup a visit for assessment and start the water removal and repair process
        • If you can help start the process that’s better – help get water out, move some of the furniture or items impacted
        • If you call your own restoration company while waiting on the insurance company contacted ones to arrive, it will have to be communicated with the insurance company so it can be determined if it will be covered under/approved by insurance company – for example, don’t throw everything out – insurance company needs proof of what has happened
          • This is why having a local and knowledgeable broker, like those at REM Insurance is key – they can help walk you through the steps to take – they have the experience and knowledge of how the insurance companies and restoration companies work
  • As the impacted client, you would only be responsible for your deductible and paying for anything over and above the restoration to prior setup
• If NO, your broker can make recommendations on the best steps to take on your own
  • It is not always beneficial to put a water claim through insurance because the damage cost might not be enough to make it worth it
    • Cost to repair may be cheaper to pay than the deductible
    • Would also lose claim free discount – the insurance company may withhold it anywhere from 3 to 5 or more years
  • If you choose to not go through insurance, make sure to handle it properly
    • Issues may arise later if not properly repaired
    • For example, if mould growth is found at a later date when a claim is put through insurance, insurance companies can test the mould to see how old it is – may not be related to current claim and they will not repair and pay for it, if that is the case

Overall, unwanted water in your residence or business is an unfortunate situation and needs to be handled properly. Your Insurance Brokers at REM are there to help guide you through the claims process and be a helpful middle person with your communication with the insurance company and restoration companies. REM Brokers offer a significant amount of knowledge and know who to contact when they themselves don’t know the answer. There was even the instance when one of our Brokers conducted a client visit to aid in the initial process of getting the water out of a flooded basement – fans and a pump! The client was in a situation where help was needed and the start time from the restoration company wasn’t soon enough.