How to File a Water Damage Insurance Claim in New Orleans

Filing an insurance claim after water damage can feel like a second job on top of dealing with the damage itself. Here is a straightforward breakdown of the process for New Orleans homeowners.

1. Stop the Damage First

Shut off the water source if possible and call a restoration company before you call your insurance company in most cases - the sooner mitigation starts, the less damage there is to document and pay to repair.

2. Document Everything

Photos and video of the damage, before anything is moved or cleaned up, are the foundation of a strong claim. A restoration company that provides insurance claims assistance will typically handle this as part of the job.

3. Understand What Your Policy Covers

Standard homeowners insurance usually covers sudden, accidental water damage like a burst pipe, but excludes flood damage from rising water - that requires separate NFIP flood insurance. Knowing which situation applies shapes how you file.

4. File the Claim

Contact your insurance company to open the claim, and provide the documentation gathered in step two. An adjuster will typically be assigned to inspect the damage.

5. Work With Your Adjuster

Having your restoration company available to walk the adjuster through the damage and the scope of work helps keep the claim accurate and moving.

We Can Help

Between drying out your property and understanding paperwork, this is a lot to manage at once. See our insurance claims assistance page for how we support New Orleans homeowners through this process.