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Imagine this: one day your house is full of water after a storm or a burst pipe. You clean everything, call the insurer, and an adjuster comes to check what got damaged. Later, the insurer gives you some money to fix everything, and you think it’s all sorted.

But not so fast — there are plenty of things your policy may NOT cover, even if it seems like they should.

In this article, we’ll explain the tricks insurers use and how to avoid being left with surprise costs.

What the Insurer Sees… and What They Ignore

When the adjuster visits, they seem thorough. They check the walls, furniture, and appliances, take notes, and even smile saying, “This is covered.”

But they often only focus on what’s immediately visible.

What about things that aren’t obvious yet?

Damp stains that appear months later and ruin your walls

Appliances that start failing because water damaged their circuits

Pipes that get blocked or break later due to trapped water

If you don’t mention these issues upfront, the insurer might say: “That wasn’t part of the original claim,” and refuse to pay.

The Fine Print Traps

Insurance policies have “exclusion clauses” — things they won’t cover.

Examples:

If a pipe was already slightly damaged before the incident, they won’t pay to fix it.

If an appliance breaks months later, they say it’s not related.

Special humidity-proof paint? Not included.

These small-print tricks often leave you paying out of pocket.

Why Did the Fridge Stop Working?

A common situation: after the water damage, your fridge, microwave, or TV still work… for a while. Months later, they fail due to hidden damage.

The insurer then says: “That happened later — not covered.”

This is why it’s crucial to have everything inspected thoroughly right away, even if it still works.

Pipes and Hidden Moisture Problems

Water damage doesn’t just affect what you see — it also harms what’s hidden, like pipes and foundations.

Sometimes, you won’t notice problems until months or years later.

The insurer will likely argue that it’s unrelated to the original claim, leaving you to cover the costs.

How to Make Sure the Insurer Doesn’t Leave You Hanging

Follow these steps:

Review your policy carefully: Know what is and isn’t covered. If you don’t understand it, ask for help.

Hire an independent adjuster: The insurer’s adjuster works for them, not you. A second opinion can save you money.

Take photos and videos: Document everything from day one — stains, broken furniture, malfunctioning items.

Get professional help: Companies like MataSeguros can manage the entire process and only charge if they win you a higher payout.

Surprise Costs Nobody Mentions

Repairing visible damage is only the start. Other costs can include:

Special treatments to eliminate moisture from walls

Electrical inspections to prevent future short circuits

Replacing hidden pipes or damaged infrastructure

If the insurer doesn’t cover these, you could pay far more than you expected.

The Key: Be Prepared

Insurers don’t always play fair — but with the right information and support, you can make sure they pay what they should.

At MataSeguros, we handle the entire claim process for you, from reviewing your case to negotiating with the insurer. We only get paid if you get paid.