What to Say to Your Adjuster
Stick to dated facts with your adjuster: when you found the water, what happened, and what you did first. Do not guess at cause or cost, do not agree to a scope you do not understand, and keep copies of every note, photo, and paper. No wording on its own guarantees a payout.
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What should you say first to an adjuster?
Start with the plain facts in order: the date and time you found the water, where it was, and what you did first. Say whether you turned off water, moved items, or called for help, and give the time for each step if you know it. Short, dated facts are easier to record than a long account with no dates. If you are not sure about a detail, say you are not sure. Guessing at a time or a cause can create a record that does not match your photos or receipts later. It is fine to say you will check a receipt or a photo and send the detail in writing after the call.
What not to say to an insurance adjuster after water damage?
Do not guess at the cause, the cost, or how long the damage has been there. Phrases that sound like a guess, such as a firm cause you did not see or a price you have not been quoted, can be written down as fact. Do not say the damage is minor before the walls and floors have been checked, since damp material can hide behind a dry-looking surface. Do not agree on the spot to a scope of work or a settlement figure you have not read in full. Ask for the scope in writing, take time to read it, and ask what each line covers. You can also ask what happens if more damage is found once a wall is opened.
How do you describe the damage without guessing?
Describe only what you saw, heard, or smelled, and where it was. Point to rooms, walls, and floors by name, and say which items got wet and how high the water reached. Photos taken at the time help here, since they show the water line and the spread without you having to estimate it from memory. If our team took moisture readings, share those readings as they were given to you, with dates. Do not turn a reading into a claim about the whole house. A reading for one wall is a reading for one wall, and an adjuster can ask for more readings if more rooms need checking.
What papers should you have ready for the visit?
Have your photos, your timeline, receipts, and any past repair papers in one folder before the visit. Add a list of damaged items with the room each item was in, and note which items you kept and which you had to throw out. If you threw anything out, keep a photo of it first, where it is safe to do so. Keep a copy of everything you hand over, and note the date you gave it. After the visit, write down what was discussed and send a short note back to confirm it. That written trail helps if a later question comes up about what was seen or agreed.
What do you do if you do not understand the scope?
Ask the adjuster or our team to walk through the scope line by line, in plain words. Ask which walls will be opened, which floors will come up, and what drying steps come before any rebuild. If a line is still unclear, ask for it to be put in writing before you sign. Do not sign a scope you do not understand, even if work is due to start that day. Ask for time to read it at home, and get independent advice if the money or the work is large. A signed scope can set what is done and what is paid for, so reading it first is worth the wait.
Why do Wichita storms make good records hard to keep?
Wichita storms can soak many homes at once and leave humid air that slows drying. In June 2026, KSN TV reported up to 6 inches of rain overnight across the Wichita area, with 911 taking more than 100 flooded-vehicle calls, and Wichita Fire ran 180 calls in 10 hours, with 60% water-related. The National Weather Service in Wichita also recorded a storm event on 25-26 June 2026, and an earlier event on 3 June 2025. When many homes are affected at once, dated photos and a short timeline set your claim apart from a general storm story. Take photos as soon as it is safe, note the date on each batch, and keep receipts in one place. For help with the drying side and its records, call our team at ICT Water Pros at (316) 205-2900.
How do you follow up after the adjuster visit?
After the visit, write down what was discussed while it is fresh: which rooms were looked at, what readings were taken, and what the adjuster said would happen next. Send a short note back that confirms those points, and ask for a correction if any point is wrong. The notes you made about what to say to your adjuster before the visit will help you check that note against what actually happened. If the adjuster asked for more papers, list each one in your note and give the date you will send it, or the date you sent it. Send photos and receipts as a single batch where you can, with a short line for each item saying what it shows. A tidy batch is easier to file than a stream of single photos with no labels. If you hear nothing back after a reasonable wait, send a short written follow-up that refers to your earlier note and asks for a status update. Keep the tone plain and factual, and keep a copy. A written trail of follow-ups shows you stayed on top of the claim, even when the process moved slowly.
Adjuster talk: say this, not that
| Situation | Say this | Avoid saying this |
|---|---|---|
| First finding | I found water in the kitchen on Tuesday morning, near the hot water tank. | It must have been leaking for months. |
| Cause | I saw water coming from under the sink; I did not see the pipe break. | The pipe was old, so it was bound to fail. |
| Cost | I have not had a written quote yet; I will send it when I do. | It will cost about ten thousand dollars. |
| Scope | Please send the scope in writing so I can read each line. | Just do whatever you think is needed. |
| Damage extent | The carpet and the bottom of the wall in this room got wet. | Only a little water got in, so it should be fine. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I record my call with an adjuster?
Check the rules that apply to your call first, and tell the other person if you plan to record. A written note sent after the call to confirm what was discussed is a simpler record in most cases.
Can I send more photos after the adjuster visit?
Yes, you can send dated photos and receipts after the visit, with a short note saying what each one shows. Ask for written confirmation that the new items were added to your file.
What if the adjuster and our team disagree?
Ask each side to put the point in writing, with the readings or photos behind it. A written point can then be compared line by line, instead of argued from memory.
Do I have to accept the first scope offered?
No, you can ask for time to read it and ask questions about any line you do not understand. Do not sign until the work, the rooms, and the terms are clear to you.
Who can help with drying records in Wichita?
Our own team at ICT Water Pros does the drying work and keeps the drying records — moisture readings, dry logs, and photos. Call (316) 205-2900.
Sources
- Kansas Insurance Department — storm and flood consumer page. https://www.insurance.kansas.gov/consumers/storm-and-flood — General consumer information on storm and flood claims.
- National Weather Service Wichita — 25-26 June 2026 event. https://www.weather.gov/ict/event_20260625 — Dated Wichita storm event.
- National Weather Service Wichita — 3 June 2025 event. https://www.weather.gov/index.php/ict/event_20250603 — Earlier dated Wichita storm event.
- KSN TV — heavy rain and flash flood emergency in Wichita. https://www.ksn.com/weather/weather-stories/heavy-rain-leads-to-flash-flood-emergency-in-wichita-several-cars-submerged/ — June 2026 report of up to 6 inches of rain overnight and 100+ flooded-vehicle calls.
- Audacy KNSS — flash flood emergency in Wichita. https://audacy.com/knss/news/local/flash-flood-emergency-wichita — Local coverage of the Wichita flash flood emergency.
Service area: ICT Water Pros serves the Wichita metro across 27 ZIP codes: 67202–67220, 67223, 67226, 67227, 67228, 67230, 67232, 67235, 67260. Location line: Downtown Wichita Area · Wichita, KS 67202. No street address is claimed.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-26
Related pages: Home · How It Works · Water Damage Cost in Wichita · Water Damage Insurance Guide for Kansas · Claim Denied: What Next
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