Insurance Claims Help for New Jersey Homeowners
Need help right now? Call MaxClean Restoration at 732-539-2942
Open 24/7 and usually on site within about an hour in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.
After a burst pipe, a fire or a sewage backup, the cleanup is only half the stress. The other half is the insurance claim. This page explains, in plain English, how a property damage claim usually works in New Jersey, what to look for in your policy, and what MaxClean Restoration handles for you. It's general information, not legal advice. Your policy and your adjuster decide what's covered.
How we work with your insurance
We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.
In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented and covered, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.
What to check in your policy
Every policy is different, so the best first step is to read your declarations page or call your agent. These are the questions that usually matter most:
| What happened | What to look for in your policy |
|---|---|
| Burst or frozen pipe, appliance or water heater leak | How the policy treats sudden water damage versus slow leaks, and any conditions for homes left vacant or unheated |
| Sump pump failure, sewer or drain backup | Whether you have a water backup endorsement, and its limit |
| Water coming in from outside (storm surge, rising rivers, surface water) | Whether you have a separate flood insurance policy, and its basement limits |
| Fire, smoke and water used to put out a fire | Fire is usually covered under most homeowner policies. Also check additional living expenses if you can't stay home |
| Oil burner puff-back | How the policy words smoke and soot damage |
| Tree on the house after a storm | Debris and tree removal limits |
| Mold | Any mold limit or exclusion, and how quickly water damage must be reported |
Flood insurance is a separate policy
Water that rises from outside, like storm surge along Raritan Bay or Barnegat Bay or an overflowing river, is generally handled under flood insurance, which is a separate policy from homeowners insurance. Most flood policies come through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. A few things to know:
- Waiting period: a new NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, with some exceptions. Don't wait for a storm forecast to buy one.
- Basement limits: NFIP policies limit what's covered in a basement. Check your policy for the details.
- Proof of loss: the NFIP generally requires a signed proof of loss within 60 days of the loss.
- Shore and river towns: in places like Toms River, Long Branch, Point Pleasant and Woodbridge, one storm can cause both outside flooding and inside damage, like wind-driven rain through a damaged roof. We document each kind of damage separately so your adjusters can see what came from where.
What New Jersey requires of your insurance company
New Jersey's unfair claims settlement practices rules (N.J.A.C. 11:2-17) set timelines for insurers. In general, the insurer must:
- acknowledge your claim within 10 working days of being notified, unless it pays within that time;
- begin its investigation within 10 working days of notice; and
- pay or deny a property claim within 30 calendar days after receiving a properly completed proof of loss, or tell you in writing why it needs more time and update you every 45 days.
If you have a problem with a claim, the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance consumer hotline is 1-800-446-7467, and you can file a complaint at nj.gov/dobi.
Your responsibilities after a loss
Most policies ask you to:
- report the loss promptly to your insurance company;
- protect the property from more damage, for example by stopping the water, starting the drying and tarping a damaged roof (this is why emergency work usually can't wait for the adjuster);
- document the damage with photos, video and a list of damaged items; and
- keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or says you can throw them away, when it's safe to do so.
How a claim works with MaxClean
- Call us and your insurance company. Call 732-539-2942 any time, and report the loss to your carrier.
- Emergency work. We're usually on site within about an hour to stop the damage: water extraction, drying, board-up, roof tarping or tree removal.
- Documentation. We photograph every affected area, map moisture with thermal imaging and moisture meters, and keep daily drying logs.
- Invoice to your carrier. We send our itemized invoice to your insurance company on your behalf and answer the adjuster's questions about the scope of work. The invoice itself remains your responsibility as the homeowner, so if the carrier pays less than the invoice, you owe the balance.
- Repairs. Our reconstruction team rebuilds what was removed. You pay your deductible and anything your policy doesn't cover.
Tips that make claims go smoother
- Take photos before anything is moved or thrown away, including the source: the failed hose, the burst pipe, the water line on the wall.
- Write down dates, times and the name of everyone you speak with.
- Keep receipts for emergency costs such as hotels, tarps or meals out.
- Read your declarations page for your deductible, any water backup or mold limits, and additional living expense coverage.
- Store your policy number, agent and shutoff locations in our free home emergency plan before anything happens.
Step-by-step help for specific situations is in our Resource Center, including the insurance claim process guide, burst pipe guide and after a house fire guide.
Insurance claim FAQs
Do you bill my insurance company directly? We send the invoice to your insurance carrier on your behalf, but the invoice is still the homeowner's responsibility. That includes your deductible and anything your carrier doesn't pay.
Do I have to use the restoration company my insurer recommends? In New Jersey, homeowners usually have the right to choose their own restoration contractor. We specialize in working with both homeowners and insurance companies to make sure the work is properly documented and covered, so your home gets back to its pre-loss condition.
Should I wait for the adjuster before starting cleanup? Usually not. Most policies require you to prevent further damage, so emergency water extraction, drying and board-up should start right away. We photograph and record conditions before and during the work so the adjuster can see what happened.
Is fire damage covered? Fire is usually covered under most homeowner policies. Your deductible and policy limits still apply, so check your declarations page or ask your agent about your specific coverage, including additional living expenses.
Is my flooded basement covered? It depends on where the water came from and what your policy includes. A burst pipe, a sump pump or drain backup, and outside flooding are often treated differently, so check your policy or ask your agent. We document the source either way.
What if my claim is delayed or denied? Ask the insurance company for the reason in writing and for the policy language it relied on. New Jersey rules set timelines for insurers, and the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance consumer hotline (1-800-446-7467) can help.
Talk to us
Questions about a claim, or damage happening right now? Call 732-539-2942, 24/7, or send an estimate request.
MaxClean Restoration, 11 Bannard Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 · 732-539-2942
· IICRC Certified Firm #70028169 · NJ HIC #13VH12188600
Open 24/7 · 4.9 stars from 91 Google reviews · Serving Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.
