What Business Owners Need to Know About Water Damage Commercial Services and Insurance

3/16/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO’s specialists explain the different types of water damage and when property insurance will and won’t cover the restoration process. 

From pipe leaks to widespread flooding, understanding what types of water damage commercial property insurance covers is vital to preventing unnecessary downtime and costs and is particularly useful before the damage has occurred.

SERVPRO of West Fort Worth, TX, is a local leading commercial restoration company. Their team is here not only to help business owners better understand the scope of their property insurance coverage but to offer fairly priced professional restoration services whether insurance covers the project or not. 

A Guide to Commercial Water Damage Services and Insurance Claims

Keeping comprehensive commercial property insurance is one of the most important steps a business owner can take to prepare for the unexpected, and that includes water damage.

Achieving that begins with evaluating the risk of water damage to the property and understanding what coverage is necessary to mitigate those risks. If the unexpected has already happened, determining if the damage will be covered is also crucial for budgeting purposes.

What Commercial Property Insurance Will Not Cover

Most types of water damage excluded from commercial property insurance policies fall under the same category—preventable damage. If the damage was gradual and could have been prevented by regular maintenance or timely action, insurance will not cover it. That includes damage caused by:

• Door or window seal leaks
• Unaddressed roof damage
• Poor plumbing system or appliance maintenance
• Pipe corrosion
• Mold and rot
• Groundwater seepage

Outside of this, commercial property insurance also won’t cover natural flooding or sewage backup damage. However, flood or water backup insurance can be purchased separately. 

Water Damage Covered by Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance will cover any water damage that is sudden or accidental. This includes the most common types of water damage, such as:

• Storm damage (but not flooding)
• Burst pipes or other sudden plumbing system failures
• Failed fire suppression systems
• Utility failures that result in plumbing damage (some exclusions apply)

Avoiding a Water Damage Claim Denial

Because coverage often hinges on whether the damage was preventable and gradual or sudden and accidental, properly documenting the water damage and its source is vital to claim approval. 

A commercial water damage restoration company will be invaluable in this regard, as they have the experience to understand what insurance adjusters are looking for to determine whether the damage was preventable.

Beginning the water damage restoration process as quickly as possible is also crucial to avoid additional damage, such as mold. Even if insurance covers the initial water damage, it may not cover any damage caused afterward by a failure to act in a timely manner. It only takes mold spores 24 – 48 hours to begin to reproduce in damp conditions. 

About SERVPRO of West Fort Worth

SERVPRO of West Fort Worth, TX, has provided comprehensive commercial water damage restoration services in North Texas for over half a century. With the resources of a major national franchise at their back, they can handle restoration projects of all sizes. 

In addition to water damage restoration, they also offer a range of other commercial services such as fire and storm damage restoration, mold remediation, and cleaning services. For more information, contact SERVPRO at (817) 560-3086 or follow them on Facebook for the latest industry news.

Contact Information:

SERVPRO of West Fort Worth

8008 Camp Bowie W Blvd

Ste #106

Fort Worth, TX 76116

www.SERVPROwestfortworth.com/