Residential Property Claims

Residential Property Claims

Residential property insurance can provide coverage for damage caused by fire, flooding, theft, weather, and other risks. The most common form of residential property insurance is homeowner’s insurance, which provides coverage for, among other things, your home and personal property. Other forms of residential property insurance include renters, mobile home, and landlord insurance.

We help homeowners and others to ensure that you are treated fairly and receive the benefits you paid for under the insurance contract. Please contact us today so we can review your case.

Flood Damage

Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage, making a separate flooding policy necessary for proper coverage. Flood damage can be quite complicated and it’s crucial to know exactly what’s covered is in your policy, to document the flood and any damage, and to stay as organized as possible. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flooding as “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from: Overflow of inland waters, unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, and mudflows.” Contact MGW if you need help navigating your flood damage claim.

Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common insurance claims. Most typical plans do not cover flooding and sewage damage, rather, they most often protect against sudden water damage inside of the home like pipes bursting. Your dwelling coverage protects against structural damage if it was inside the property. Other weather-related perils causing damage can also be covered under your policy. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your water damage claim.

Fire & Smoke Damage

Typically, coverage for smoke and fire damage are both included in basic homeowners insurance policies. The smoke doesn’t need to come from a fire within your house – smoke damage to your home from a neighbor’s fire is also covered. Your homeowners insurance will also typically cover you for damage caused by wildfires. Fires that damage but do not completely destroy a home create special insurance claim issues. These claims are often called “partial losses” because the home has only been partially destroyed. Things to watch out for with partial losses include hidden damage, inadequate or improper cleaning and repair methods and “matching repairs” which should return your property to a “uniform and consistent appearance” even if that means replacing undamaged items such as roof tiles or carpeting. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your fire or smoke damage claim.

Wind Damage

Are you facing a denied insurance claim for wind damage on your home or business? Some insurance companies will refuse to cover cosmetic damage, such as matching shingles or siding or outright denying the claim for a variety of reasons. This might be contrary to your insurance policy and Wisconsin law. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your wind damage claim.

Tornado Damage

Most homeowner policies cover damages from tornadoes, unlike some other natural disasters which require separate policies. However, the details of your coverage may vary greatly so we recommend you read through your policy to determine if there is a separate wind deductible that could include tornado damage. This separate deductible requires policyholders to pay a sum out of pocket before their insurance pays for the claim. In the event your home is unlivable after a tornado, relocation or temporary housing expenses may be covered under your insurance policy. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your tornado damage claim.

Hail Damage

Wisconsin is prone to severe weather and hail damage. The good news is that most homeowners insurance policies cover damage from hail. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your hail damage claim.

Storm Damage

Wisconsin storms can be truly detrimental to homes and businesses and can cause costly damage. Most homeowners policies cover damages from windstorms, tornadoes, ice storms, hail damage, lighting strikes, wildfires, fallen trees and power surges.  If you’ve been affected by storm damage, it’s crucial that you have a solid strategy for how to maximize your policy claim. Contact MGW if you need help navigating your storm damage claim.