How to Claim Compensation for Water Damage?

Home insurance is one of the best protections you can have when the unexpected happens. A burst pipe or an indoor flood can quickly turn into a stressful situation, so it helps to know exactly what to do if water enters your home.

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What does home insurance cover?

In general, multi-risk home insurance includes a predefined set of coverages designed to protect your property and the people who live in it.

At first glance, the purpose of this product may seem obvious. But are you familiar with all the advantages of Caravela Lar?

You do not need to memorise more than 40 coverages, of course. Even so, it is common for homeowners to be unaware of everything a policy can do. When the scope of protection is not fully understood, it becomes harder to take full advantage of the insurance you already have.

What should you do if a leak or flood starts inside your home?

• The first step to stop a water leak is to shut off the water supply.

The shut-off valve immediately cuts off the water supply to the whole house. It is usually located in the kitchen or bathroom.

Leaks can happen in places that are easy to access, such as dishwashers, washing machines, taps, and toilets. These areas should have a shut-off valve along the hose or pipe. Turning it clockwise will stop the water flow.

In the event of a major leak, it is advisable to switch off the electricity, provided it is safe to do so. You should also turn off the gas supply until the situation has been resolved.

• Try to identify where the water is coming from, although this is not always easy;
• Remove any standing water, because the longer it remains, the worse the damage may become.

Mould can begin to develop within 24 to 48 hours, so drying must start as quickly as possible. Dry appliances and sockets, move away cupboards and rugs, remove plasterboard if needed, and open windows to let out moisture.

Contact your insurer so the damage can be assessed.

• Check your home carefully to make sure there is no structural damage;
• If you have wooden flooring or plaster walls, make sure all the water has been drained away. Any remaining moisture could damage the materials;
• Any food that has come into contact with water should be thrown away to prevent food poisoning;
• Wash floors, carpets, and rugs thoroughly to reduce the risk of disease spreading.

Once these immediate steps have been taken to reduce material damage, the next question is who to call after a flood. In this case, it is important to know how to proceed with your insurer.

How do you make a home insurance claim for water damage?

Staying calm at the time of the incident makes it easier to handle the situation. Try to remain composed and follow these steps with Caravela Seguros:

Fill in the form

Complete the friendly water damage claim form. This helps ensure that no important information is left out when the claim is being processed.

Send it to Caravela

Once the claim form has been completed, use the contact form to send it in. You can also submit it through the MyCaravela Client Area, by email at sinistrosnaoauto@caravelaseguros.pt, via WhatsApp at +351 965 965 313, through Caravela agents, or at Caravela branches in Lisbon, Porto, Leiria, and Faro.

Do you know how long you have to report the claim? The notice must be sent to Caravela within 8 days of the accident at the latest.

Documentation

When reporting the claim, and throughout the handling of the case, include all the documentation you have. This helps speed up the settlement process and gives you evidence of the water damage in your home.

Any information may be relevant, including photographs, police reports, technical damage assessments, quotations, and more.

Home insurance inspection

Caravela may send an expert to inspect the damage. Cooperate fully during the assessment and provide any additional information requested.

This article has covered practical tips on what to do when your home floods. Unexpected events can happen, and while it is important to be ready to act immediately, it is just as important to know that you have an insurer supporting you. We also looked at how to activate your insurance so the process can move forward more quickly and normal life can be restored.