As if dealing with water damage in your home isn’t stressful enough, filing an insurance claim adds even more complexity to the situation. One crucial aspect of the claims process is how the water damage is categorized by the water mitigation company. This so called “Category of Water” is an indication of how much work it will be to mitigate the damage.
- Category 1: Clean Water
- This is water from a sanitary source, such as a broken supply line, that poses no immediate health risks if addressed promptly.
- Category 2: Significantly Contaminated Water
- This water has the potential to cause illness if ingested or if there is prolonged exposure. It can come from sources like washing machine overflows, dishwashers, or toilet overflows (without feces).
- Category 3: Grossly Contaminated Water
- This category includes sewage backups, flooding from natural disasters, and any water containing harmful bacteria or pathogens that pose serious health risks.
Changing categories when not taking action
If a kitchen sink supply line breaks and the water is cleaned up within a couple of days, it will typically be classified as Category 1, because the water originated form a sanitary source. However, if the water sits for too long, allowing for contamination or microbial growth to take place, it could escalate to Category 2 or even 3.
This is important to understand: The most common reason we see a claim change from Category 1 to Category 2 or 3 is due to delays in mitigation efforts, whether foreseen or unforeseen.
Mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and under the right conditions, a Category 1 water loss can turn into a Category 3 water loss within 72 hours due to extensive microbial growth.
A Category 1 water loss generally requires minimal cleaning, and most materials can be salvaged unless they are highly absorbent and thoroughly soaked. In contrast, Category 2 and 3 water losses require more extensive cleaning and sanitation, the use of personal protective equipment, and the removal of affected materials to prevent health hazards.
How insurance looks at all of this
Insurance adjusters scrutinize claims, especially when a Category 1 water loss escalates to a Category 2 or 3. They may question whether you as the property owner acted fast enough to mitigate the damage, and when they suspect you failed to do so this can be seen as negligence and could impact claim coverage.
Key takeaways for homeowners
- Act Quickly
- Promptly address water damage and do not wait to take action. This prevents escalation from Category 1 to higher categories.
- Document everything
- Take photos, keep receipts, and maintain a timeline of mitigation efforts. When you hire us to do mitigation work for you, we will be documenting every single step of the restoration process, but some photos and /or videos taken by you while you were waiting for us to arrive could still come in handy.
- Understand your policy
- Be aware of coverage limits and responsibilities to avoid disputes with your insurer or remediator.
- Work with professionals
- Hire certified water mitigation experts to properly assess and categorize the damage. Take note of how they are classifying the water damage and ensure you agree with their assessment to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
- Dry the materials completely
- A common mistake that DIY homeowners make is attempting to dry extensive water damage without realizing that moisture has seeped under flooring or between floors. Surface water may be cleaned up, but subflooring, ceiling joists, or hidden spaces may still be wet, allowing microbial growth to develop unnoticed. Once the microbial growth is identified, you may be limited in your ability to file a claim because you're either outside the notification window to insurance, or because it will be treated as a pre-existing condition by the insurance company.
Don't wait, call Flood & Flame
Water damage restoration is a time-sensitive process, and being proactive can make a significant difference in both the extent of damage and your insurance claim outcome. By staying informed and taking immediate action, you can help ensure that your claim is processed smoothly and that you receive the coverage you need.