Water Damage Insurance Claim Was Denied in San Diego? What to Do Next
You wake up to water all over your Mission Valley home. Your pipe burst overnight, soaking your hardwood floors and ruining your furniture. You think, “Thank goodness I have insurance!”
But then the bad news comes. Your insurance company sends you a letter saying they won’t pay for the damage. They’re denying your claim.
If this sounds like your story, you’re not alone. Many San Diego homeowners get their water damage claims denied, even when the damage seems obvious and covered.
At A/S General Contracting, we’ve helped hundreds of families in neighborhoods like Chula Vista, National City, and College Area fight back against unfair claim denials. We know exactly why insurance companies say “no” and how to turn that into a “yes.”
In this guide, we’ll show you the real reasons claims get denied and give you a step-by-step plan to get the coverage you deserve.
The Big Problem: Why So Many Claims Get Denied in San Diego
Here’s something that might surprise you: insurance companies deny about 30% of all water damage claims. That’s almost 1 out of every 3 people who file a claim!
In San Diego County, we see even more denials because of our unique weather patterns and the 2024 flooding that hit areas like Southcrest (ZIP codes 92113 and 92114). Insurance companies got overwhelmed with claims and started looking for any reason to say no.
The truth is, insurance companies make money by collecting your monthly payments and paying out as little as possible. They have whole teams of people whose job is to find reasons to deny claims.
But don’t worry – we’re going to help you fight back.
The Top 5 Reasons Water Damage Claims Get Denied
1. They Say It's "Flood Damage," Not Water Damage
This is the sneakiest trick insurance companies use. They’ll look at your burst pipe damage and try to call it “flood damage” because most policies don’t cover floods.
Here’s the difference:
- Water damage = water coming from inside your house (like broken pipes, overflowing toilets, or washing machine leaks)
- Flood damage = water coming from outside (like heavy rain, storm surge, or overflowing rivers)
If your damage came from inside your home, don’t let them call it a flood!
2. "You Waited Too Long to Report It"
Insurance companies love this excuse. They’ll say you should have called them the minute you found the water damage.
But here’s what’s fair: Most policies give you a “reasonable” amount of time to report damage. That usually means a few days or even weeks, not hours.
3. "This Damage Is From Normal Wear and Tear"
Sometimes insurance adjusters will look at water damage and claim it happened slowly over time from “normal wear and tear” instead of from a sudden accident.
This is where having good documentation really helps your case.
4. "You Didn't Maintain Your Property"
Insurance companies might say the damage happened because you didn’t take care of your home properly. For example, they might claim your pipes were old and you should have replaced them.
But the truth is, even well-maintained homes can have sudden pipe bursts or appliance failures.
5. "Your Policy Doesn't Cover This Type of Water"
Some policies have weird exclusions for certain types of water damage. They might not cover water that comes from your sewer line or water that seeps up from the ground.
This is why it’s super important to read your policy carefully – or have us help you understand it.
What the 2024 San Diego Flooding Taught Us About Insurance
The Storm Hit Hard
- Over 3 inches of rain fell in just a few hours
- Neighborhoods in Southcrest, Logan Heights, and parts of National City got flooded
- Hundreds of families had water damage in their homes
Insurance Companies Started Denying Claims
The Lesson
Just because there was a big storm doesn’t mean your damage isn’t covered. If water got into your house because a pipe burst during the storm, that’s still covered water damage!
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Claim Gets Denied
Step 1: Read the Denial Letter Carefully
Your insurance company has to tell you exactly why they’re denying your claim. Look for these key things:
- What specific reason they’re giving
- What part of your policy they’re referring to
- If they’re asking for more information
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Get together all the proof you have about your water damage:
- Photos and videos of the damage
- Receipts for any emergency repairs you made
- Documentation of when you first noticed the damage
- Any professional estimates or reports
Step 3: Get a Professional Assessment
This is where A/S General Contracting comes in. We can:
- Inspect your damage and write a detailed report
- Take professional photos that show the extent of damage
- Explain exactly what caused the water damage
- Give you a written estimate for repairs
Step 4: File an Appeal
Most insurance companies let you appeal their decision. When you appeal, include:
- Your original claim information
- The professional assessment from A/S General Contracting
- Any new evidence you’ve gathered
- A clear explanation of why you think the denial was wrong
Step 5: Know When to Get Extra Help
Sometimes you need more than just an appeal. If your insurance company still says no, you might need to:
- File a complaint with the California Department of Insurance
- Contact a public adjuster
- Talk to an attorney who specializes in insurance claims
How A/S General Contracting Helps You Win Your Appeal
Professional Documentation
We create detailed reports that insurance companies can’t ignore. Our reports include:
- Exact cause of the water damage
- Professional photos showing all affected areas
- Detailed estimates for proper restoration
- Timeline showing when damage occurred
Direct Communication with Adjusters
We’ll talk directly to your insurance adjuster to explain:
- Why the damage is covered under your policy
- What needs to be done to fix everything properly
- How much the restoration should cost
Insurance Claim Support
Our team knows exactly how insurance companies think and what they’re looking for. We help you present your claim in the strongest possible way.
Learn more about our comprehensive insurance claim support services.
What Makes San Diego Water Damage Claims Different
Older Homes in Established Neighborhoods
Clay Soil Issues
Coastal Moisture
HOA Properties
Real Warning Signs Your Claim Might Get Denied
Watch out for these red flags that suggest your insurance company might deny your claim:
- The adjuster asks lots of questions about how long you’ve lived in the home
- They want to know about any previous water damage or repairs
- They’re taking a long time to respond to your claim
- They ask for receipts proving recent maintenance on your plumbing
- They send a “specialist” to investigate instead of approving the claim quickly
If you see any of these warning signs, call A/S General Contracting right away. We can help you prepare for a potential denial.
Know Your Rights as a San Diego Homeowner
Right to a Reasonable Investigation
Your insurance company has to actually investigate your claim, not just automatically deny it.
Right to Know Why They're Denying
They have to give you specific reasons for any denial, not just vague explanations.
Right to Appeal
Right to File Complaints
You can report unfair treatment to the California Department of Insurance.
For more information about what insurance should cover, check out our guide on whether home insurance covers water damage.
Emergency Steps: What to Do Right After Water Damage
Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)
- Turn off the water source if possible
- Call your insurance company to report the claim
- Take photos and videos of everything
- Remove valuable items from the affected area
Call A/S General Contracting for emergency water damage restoration
Next Steps (First Week)
- Get a professional assessment from our team
- Start documenting all your communications with insurance
- Keep receipts for any emergency expenses
- Don’t throw away damaged items until insurance says it’s okay
Ongoing Steps
- Follow up regularly with your insurance adjuster
- Work with A/S to prepare detailed estimates
- Keep your home as dry as possible to prevent more damage
The Cost of Waiting: Why Quick Action Matters
Evidence Disappears
Insurance Companies Get Less Cooperative
Your Rights Have Time Limits
More Damage Can Occur
San Diego Resources for Homeowners
If you’re dealing with water damage and insurance issues, these local resources can help:
San Diego County Flood Information
The county provides flood preparedness and insurance guidance for residents.
Flood Prevention Resources
After the 2024 flooding, the city created new resources to help residents prepare for and prevent flood damage.
Community Support
Many San Diego neighborhoods have community groups that share experiences with insurance claims and restoration companies.
Don't Let Insurance Companies Win
Getting your water damage claim denied feels awful. You’re already stressed about damage to your home, and then insurance makes it worse by refusing to help.
But remember this: insurance companies deny claims because they hope you’ll just give up and pay for everything yourself. They count on people not knowing their rights or not fighting back.
Don’t let them win.
You pay for insurance to protect you when bad things happen. When they deny a valid claim, they’re not keeping their part of the deal.
Take Action Today: Get Your Claim Approved
If your water damage insurance claim was denied in San Diego, don’t wait another day. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting the coverage you deserve.
Don’t fight the insurance company alone. Let A/S General Contracting be your advocate and help you get the coverage you paid for.
