Burst pipe, how to deal with loss adjuster

shopsmile

Hope this is the right forum for this, please move if wrong!

My mum had a burst pipe a few days ago flooding one room and damaging others. The loss adjuster is coming tomorrow and i wondered if the wise heads on this board had any advice in how I should deal with the visit. I'm sure there is damage we haven't yet noticed or water getting into things we hadn't looked at.

Any pointers would be gratefully received. My mum is 76 and anything anyone can tell me to make this hassle go more smoothly would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

mikey72

I've have dealings with two recently, (I've been out to stop the flood, and fix the leak) and the insurance people have been excellent. They have been out to assess the damage, dry out the property, and repair/replace anything that has got even damp.
They have not quibbled over anything, in fact the only thing they won't pay is me, and any cost to repair/replace the leaking items. (one was hot water tank, the other a cold tank)

Airwolf1

Generally, the problem (eg the pipe itself) isn't covered.

rhiwfield

Try to mitigate damage.

Be honest, dont try to hype up damage, assume they will be fair but tight with insurers money.

Be thorough on all known and possible damage to flooring, furniture etc including mold contamination if any

You'll probably have to pay for repair of leak but not consequential loss.

Loss could fall under both building and contents so you may face 2 excess deductions

You may need a firm of flood recovery specialists to dry property before reinstatement can take place. You can claim for their electricity costs. If they are needed remedial work wont start until they issue a drying cert.

Clarify who is to undertake repairs and the process for expense approval.

Keep a photographic record of damage and remedial action.

Quotes for remedial action are useful in negotiating settlements.

Be prepared for it to take some time and stay on the case, the only people who want it to be dealt with yesterday are you and your mum.

My sympathies are with you and your mum, we spent 3 months this autumn recovering from a major leak.

shopsmile

Thank you all for your comments.

I have taken photos. The buildings insurers dealt with the plumber to stop the leak and also sent an electrician when I expressed concern about water coming out of plug sockets and light fittings.

The assesor coming tomorrow is for the contents only. The burst pipe was the one going into the water tank in the loft, it brought the ceiling down in one bedroom and seeped through the floor into several rooms below. The living room carpet was wet in an area of about 1 metre x 2 metres. Is it reasonable to expect this to be replaced? We don't want to fleece the insurers but I don't want my mum to be left out of pocket or with stained carpets.

Where there are water marks or bubbling wall paper on other walls is it reasonable for them to patch it up/ignore it/do the whole room?

Also should I be concerned about the tiles in the kitchen where water was running down the walls and onto the tiles? If tiles are likely to dry back to their solid state then i'm happy, but i'm worried that they may start to come away in a few weeks time.

Sorry to be a nuisance, thanks again for your help!