Water damage
Damage from burst pipes, appliance leaks, plumbing failures, and backups, including affected walls, floors, cabinets, and belongings.
Delaware service area
Delaware public adjusters for homes and businesses.
Caretake handles property insurance claims for homes and businesses across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. We help with fire, smoke, water, storm, roof, theft, vandalism, large losses, and business interruption, including denied or underpaid claims.
As your public adjuster, we document the damage, prepare the estimate, and handle negotiations with your insurer. We represent you through the claim.
Public adjusting services
What property claims do we handle in Delaware?
We handle claims for homes, rental properties, and commercial buildings, including disputes over coverage or repair costs. Your policy and the cause of damage determine what can be claimed.
Fire and smoke
Damage from fire, smoke, soot, odor, and firefighting water, including belongings and covered temporary living expenses.
Storm, wind, and hail
Wind and hail damage to siding, windows, fences, and detached buildings, along with resulting interior damage.
Roof damage
Damaged shingles, flashing, and decking, including disputes over repair methods, replacement costs, and deductions for age or wear.
Mold after a covered loss
Mold cleanup and related repairs after covered water damage, subject to the policy’s limits and exclusions.
Theft and vandalism
Stolen belongings, break-in damage, and vandalized interiors, doors, windows, or building systems.
Large and complex losses
Extensive losses involving several damaged areas, contractors, or policies, with building and contents claims to coordinate.
Commercial property and business interruption
Damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, and tenant improvements, plus covered lost income and continuing expenses while operations are interrupted.
Denied or underpaid claims
Coverage denials, delayed claims, damage missing from the insurer’s estimate, incomplete repair estimates, and payments that leave covered work unaccounted for.
Local claim considerations
How does location affect a Delaware property claim?
The building’s materials, location, and use can change what needs to go into a claim. We account for those details when inspecting and estimating the damage.
New Castle County: older homes and repair details
In older Wilmington homes, we document plaster, wood trim, masonry, and flooring so the estimate reflects the materials already there. We also account for the work needed to reach concealed damage, including opening and restoring walls or ceilings.
For homes in the City Historic and Neighborhood Conservation districts, we review written city guidance alongside the proposed exterior repairs. We use that information to support the materials and repair methods in the claim and check which costs the policy covers.
Kent County: inland homes and the Delaware Bay shore
After a storm in Kent County, we inspect roof, interior, and outbuilding damage and establish how water entered. A Dover roof leak and rising water at a Bowers Beach home need different supporting evidence. We document entry points, water marks, and the reported timing of damage.
On properties around Harrington and Felton, we include damaged garages, sheds, and fences in the inspection. We document the repairs for each structure and check its coverage limits, including whether business use affects the claim.
Sussex County: beach homes, Inland Bays, and inland properties
For homes along the Atlantic beaches and Inland Bays, we separate evidence of roof and siding damage from water that entered at ground level. We trace the damage through affected rooms so an estimate accounts for repairs inside the home as well as outside.
For seasonal and rental homes, we use inspection reports, occupancy records, and property-manager communications to establish when damage occurred. We review which coverage may apply to repairs, damaged belongings, and lost rental income. We also handle claims for year-round homes in inland communities such as Seaford and Georgetown.
Our process
What happens after you request a claim review?
We start by understanding what happened and what your insurer has done so far. You do not need a completed repair estimate to contact us.
- 01
Review the claim with you
We discuss what happened, review the policy and the insurer’s response, and explain where we may be able to help. If you choose to work with us, we agree on the next steps.
- 02
Inspect and assess the damage
If you hire us, we arrange an inspection, photograph and measure the affected areas, and identify repairs to include in the estimate. We also assess whether reports from specialists are needed to explain damage that is not readily visible.
- 03
Build the claim estimate
We price the repairs, value damaged belongings, and calculate covered extra living expenses or business losses. We compare our findings with the insurer’s estimate and identify missing work or differences in cost.
- 04
Present the claim and follow through
We submit the supporting documents, coordinate insurer inspections, and negotiate disputed items. You receive updates on what has been submitted, what remains in question, and what information is still needed.
Delaware counties and communities
Which Delaware counties and communities do we serve?
We serve homes and businesses throughout Delaware, from larger cities to small towns and rural communities.
New Castle County
- Bear
- Claymont
- Clayton
- Delaware City
- Elsmere
- Glasgow
- Hockessin
- Middletown
- New Castle
- Newark
- Newport
- Odessa
- Pike Creek
- Smyrna
- Townsend
- Wilmington
Kent County
- Bowers Beach
- Camden
- Cheswold
- Clayton
- Dover
- Felton
- Frederica
- Harrington
- Little Creek
- Magnolia
- Milford
- Smyrna
- Wyoming
Sussex County
- Bethany Beach
- Bridgeville
- Dagsboro
- Delmar
- Dewey Beach
- Fenwick Island
- Frankford
- Georgetown
- Laurel
- Lewes
- Milford
- Millsboro
- Millville
- Milton
- Ocean View
- Rehoboth Beach
- Seaford
- Selbyville
- Slaughter Beach
- South Bethany
Smyrna and Clayton extend into both New Castle and Kent counties. Milford extends into both Kent and Sussex counties.
Our commitment to you
Know what to expect before you sign
We explain how we will inspect the property, document the damage, and communicate with your insurer. You receive a written agreement to review, and we answer your questions before you sign.
Policyholder resources
Help with coverage and repair estimates
The cause of damage and your property’s materials can affect coverage and repair costs.
Water damage claims in Delaware
Wind-driven rain, rising floodwater, and sewer backups can fall under different parts of a policy.
Read guide →When a standard estimate misses your home’s details
Repair estimates should account for your home’s existing materials, finishes, and craftsmanship.
Read article →Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Delaware property claims
Does Caretake serve all three Delaware counties?
Yes. Caretake serves New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties, including inland, bayside, and beach communities.
Can you help before I file or after my claim is denied?
Yes. We can review a loss before filing or assess an open, delayed, denied, or underpaid claim. A denial or closed file does not always end your options, though policy deadlines can limit what can be done.
Does Delaware homeowners insurance cover coastal flooding?
Standard homeowners insurance generally excludes rising floodwater and storm surge; separate flood insurance is usually needed. Wind damage and rain entering through a storm-created opening may be covered, depending on the policy.
Can you review a claim for a seasonal or rental home?
Yes. A seasonal home, short-term rental, and year-round residence can have different policy terms. We review how the property was insured and used at the time of the loss. Coverage for lost rent is separate from an owner’s temporary living expenses.
Can you help with lost business income after property damage?
Yes. If covered property damage interrupts operations, we assess the business-interruption coverage and calculate lost income using your business records. The claim may include lost income and continuing expenses during the covered period. A drop in revenue by itself does not establish coverage.
What should I have ready for a claim review?
Start with your policy, photos of the damage, and any letters, estimates, or payments from your insurer. Include emergency repair receipts and contractor estimates if you have them. If you are missing records, we can help identify what to gather next.
Is Caretake licensed to handle Delaware claims?
Yes. Caretake holds Delaware Public Adjuster Firm License #3004316926. A public adjuster represents the policyholder in the property claim; the insurance company’s adjuster represents the insurer.
Can I change my mind after hiring Caretake?
Yes. For home and commercial property claims, Caretake gives you until midnight on the third business day after the day you sign to cancel in writing. No special form is needed.
Talk to Caretake
Get a clear next step for your property claim.
Tell us where the property is, what was damaged, and where the claim stands. Caretake will review the information with you at no cost.
No upfront fee; paid only when we recover money for you.