Guide
Water damage and insurance in Ohio
This site doesn't handle claims and can't tell you what your policy covers. What it can do is point you to what the Ohio Department of Insurance and Ohio law say, so you know what to ask your insurer and your contractor.
What the Ohio Department of Insurance says
Sewer backup is an add-on
Coverage for sewer and drain backup is not included or is limited in a typical policy and must be added (severe weather toolkit).
Flood is separate
Flood insurance comes through the National Flood Insurance Program, and there is a 30-day waiting period before it starts (homeowners guide).
Prevent more damage
Make the temporary repairs needed to protect the home and keep the receipts.
Keep damaged items
Keep damaged property until the insurer says you can dispose of it, and get that in writing.
Who can negotiate your claim
The Ohio Department of Insurance warns homeowners not to give a contractor power of attorney or let it negotiate or settle an insurance claim, not to sign a contract before an adjuster has seen the damage, and not to pay the full amount upfront or sign over the insurance payment (severe weather toolkit).
Ohio law requires anyone who negotiates a property claim for a homeowner for pay to hold a public adjuster certificate from the Superintendent of Insurance (ORC 3951.02). According to the ODI guide, apart from attorneys and the broker of record, licensed public adjusters are the only adjusters who can represent you, and they can't do the repairs themselves.
Signing a contract at home
Under Ohio's Home Solicitation Sales Act, when you sign up for work at your home, the contract must tell you that you may cancel before midnight of the third business day after the sale (ORC 1345.23).
There is an exception for genuine emergencies: if you called the contractor because of an immediate emergency threatening your property, you can waive the three-day right, but only with a separate, dated and signed statement in your own handwriting describing the emergency (ORC 1345.21). Read before you sign it.
Before you sign
Ask the contractor
- What exactly will be removed, dried and replaced?
- How will moisture be measured, and will I get the log?
- Who pulls any permits the repairs need?
- What is the price, and how is extra work priced?
- What is the payment schedule? (Avoid paying everything upfront.)
- Is the drying and the rebuild one contract or two?
Water, smoke or mold?
Talk to a Columbus restoration contractor
One call connects you with an independent restoration contractor serving Columbus and nearby suburbs. Tell them what happened, where the water came from and how long it has been wet.
Water in the house? Talk to a restoration contractor now.
You are connected with an independent water damage restoration contractor that serves your part of central Ohio.
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