One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make happens before the claim even begins. You call the insurance company to report a leak, and the customer service representative tells you, “I’m sorry, that type of damage isn’t covered.”
Don’t fall for that crap.
The people taking your call are not adjusters; they are customer service agents. They do not have the authority or the information to deny your claim over the phone. If they give you pushback, your response should be: “I don’t care; I want to file the formal claim.” By law, they have to investigate it.
how insurance engineers trick you
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Who Am I?
My name is Mike Keeler. I’m a licensed Public Adjuster in the State of Florida. My job is to represent you, the homeowner—not the insurance company. We help people from the very beginning of a claim, in the middle when things start feeling “off,” or after a claim has been unfairly denied.
Also check out:Â The Denial Pie: 3 Sneaky Ways Insurance Companies Try to Reject Your Water Damage Claim
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The “Gold Standard” of Water Coverage
For water damage to be covered under a standard Homeowners Insurance Policy, the event must meet two specific criteria. These are the “gold standard” terms in the industry:
Sudden
Accidental
If a pipe bursts or a fitting fails unexpectedly, you are generally in the clear for coverage.
Common Types of Covered Water Claims:
Pipe Breaks: Copper, cast iron, or PVC—it doesn’t matter.
AC Leaks: Very common in Florida, though these can be tricky.
Appliance Lines: Leaks from refrigerators, dishwashers, or washing machines.
Slab Leaks: Breaks in the pipes running under your home’s foundation.
Fittings & Valves: Issues with plumbing clamps, valves, and under-sink fittings.
The “Denial Pie”: Most Common Excuses to Reject Your Claim
Insurance companies have a “way out” for almost every claim. They use specific terminology designed to shift the blame onto the homeowner.
“The Long-Term Leak”: This is their favorite weapon. If they see a speck of black mold, they will claim the leak has been happening for weeks or months and deny it based on “constant or repeated seepage.”
“Wear and Tear”: They claim the item was simply old and reached its natural end of life, therefore it isn’t an “accidental” event.
“Failure to Maintain”: If a line clogs or a drain backs up because it wasn’t cleaned, they may blame you for the damage.
“Improper Installation”: They may send an engineer to claim a pipe was installed incorrectly years ago, even if you’ve had zero issues until now.
Beware the “Claim Denial Specialist” (The Insurance Engineer)
When an insurance company sends an Engineer to your house, they aren’t there to help you. In my opinion, many of these guys are “Claim Denial Specialists.”
I’ve seen engineers spend an hour on a roof and take only three photos, intentionally ignoring clear wind damage or uplifted tiles. They write “cheap” reports designed to give the insurance company exactly what they need to deny your claim.
The Reality: These engineers are there to protect the insurance company’s bottom line, not to get to the bottom of your problem. They are often paid $1,500 to $2,500 per visit to find a reason not to pay you.
Here is the “Red Flag Checklist” to keep on hand when an insurance company sends an engineer to your property.
🚩 The Insurance Engineer Red Flag Checklist
If an insurance company sends an engineer to “investigate” your water damage, use this checklist to ensure they are doing a thorough job. If they miss these steps, they are likely building a case for a denial.
1. The Physical Inspection
[ ] The “Three-Photo” Trap: Did they take photos of the entire affected area, or just one or two close-ups of a small corner?
[ ] Moisture Mapping: Did they use a moisture meter or infrared camera to see how far the water traveled behind walls or under floors?
[ ] Duration vs. Reality: Are they claiming the damage is “long-term” without actually looking for the source of the leak?
2. Behavioral Red Flags
[ ] Leading Questions: Are they asking things like, “How long has this been looking like this?” or “Have you had problems here before?” (They are looking for you to admit to a “long-term” issue).
[ ] The “Quick Visit”: Did they spend less than 30 minutes at your property for a major claim?
[ ] Vague Explanations: Do they refuse to tell you what they are seeing during the inspection?
3. The Final Report (What to look for later)
[ ] Missing Evidence: Does the report ignore the wet materials you pointed out?
[ ] The “Wear and Tear” Conclusion: Does the report use generic language to blame age rather than the sudden accident?
[ ] Lack of Testing: Did they conclude the pipe was “improperly installed” without actually pressure-testing the line or looking at the fittings?
What to do if you see these Red Flags:
If you notice the engineer is taking shortcuts or acting like a “Denial Specialist,” do not sign anything. Your best move is to contact a Public Adjuster immediately to perform a counter-inspection. We use our own engineers who actually look for the truth, not just a way out for the insurance company.
Don’t Fight the Insurance Devil Alone
Insurance companies have an army of adjusters, engineers, and lawyers on their side. You deserve professional representation too. Whether you are just starting a claim or have already received a denial letter, I can help you navigate the process and fight for the settlement you actually deserve.
Contact Mike Keeler:
Phone: 754-252-5438
Email: [email protected]
