From the Insurance Commissioner
- Flood is excluded
- A typical home policy doesn't cover flooding; flood insurance through the NFIP starts 30 days after the policy is written, with exceptions such as mortgage-required policies (OIC flood).
- Sewer backup is an add-on
- Sewer backup isn't covered by a standard home policy and can be added as optional coverage.
- Mitigation approval
- When your policy requires you to protect the property from more damage, insurers have five business days to approve a mitigation scope (OIC claims).
- Claim timelines
- The insurer has 30 days from filing to inspect, and within 30 days should accept, deny or send written notice of a delay, repeated every 30 days.
- Keep records
- Have receipts and photos ready to prove the loss, and keep copies of everything.
- Help line
- OIC consumer advocacy: 800-562-6900, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Who can negotiate your claim
In Washington, acting as an adjuster requires a license from the Insurance Commissioner (RCW 48.17.060). Public adjusters are licensed to negotiate claim settlements for policyholders (RCW 48.17.410); the OIC tells consumers to make sure a public adjuster is licensed in Washington before hiring one.
A restoration contractor can talk to the insurer's adjuster about the damage and the work, but negotiating your settlement is an adjuster's job, not a contractor's.
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