Insurance claims

Coverage depends on the cause of loss, not the contractor

We document the damage and explain our scope. Your insurer and policy determine what is covered, how much is paid, and which deductible or limits apply.

Claim process

What usually happens after property damage

01
Protect people and prevent more damage
Handle life-safety issues first. Take reasonable temporary steps to prevent additional damage when it is safe to do so, and photograph conditions before cleanup when practical.
02
Report the loss
Contact your carrier when you intend to make a claim. For urgent mitigation, do not create avoidable additional damage solely while waiting for an inspection; ask the carrier how it wants emergency work documented.
03
We document from the first visit
Photographs, moisture readings, affected materials, and a written scope create a record of what we found before removal changes the scene.
04
The adjuster evaluates the claim
The insurer determines whether the cause of loss is covered, applies policy limits and deductibles, and evaluates the repair scope. We answer questions about our documentation and work.
05
Mitigation and reconstruction proceed
When work is authorized, we keep mitigation records and reconstruction scope connected. If the carrier changes or denies part of the claim, you still receive a clear description of the work being proposed.

Common coverage patterns

Which restoration services are typically insurance-related?

These are general patterns, not coverage promises. Two customers can need the same drying or reconstruction work and receive different claim decisions because the source of the damage, endorsements, exclusions, limits, deductible, and policy form are different.

Fire and smoke

Fire and smoke are commonly covered perils in standard homeowners policies. Necessary cleanup and reconstruction after a covered fire are therefore often claim-related, subject to policy terms.

Sudden interior water loss

A sudden accidental plumbing or appliance loss is often treated more favorably than deterioration or long-term leakage. The failed component itself and the resulting damage may also be treated differently.

Sewer or drain backup

Backup through sewers or drains is commonly excluded from standard homeowners coverage. A separate water-backup endorsement can change that result.

Surface or groundwater flood

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes flood. Separate flood insurance is generally required for rising surface water and similar flood events.

Mold remediation

Mold coverage is conditional and often limited. Some policies provide coverage when mold directly results from a covered sudden loss, while long-term moisture or policy exclusions may remove coverage.

Reconstruction and upgrades

Eligible reconstruction after a covered loss may be paid according to the policy. Elective upgrades, remodeling, and improvements beyond the covered repair scope are normally owner-paid.

What we can tell you, and what we can’t

We can explain what we found, what materials are affected, what work we recommend, and how that work is documented. We can also separate mitigation, reconstruction, and elective upgrades in the estimate.

We cannot promise that your insurer will pay a claim, guarantee a claim amount, waive a deductible, or decide that a cause of loss is covered. Those decisions belong to the policy and the insurer.

Questions people ask

Should I wait for the adjuster before anything is done?

Protect people first and take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage when safe. For non-urgent permanent repairs, coordinate with the carrier before changing conditions that it may need to inspect.

Do I have to use the insurer’s preferred vendor?

Preferred-vendor programs and contractor-choice rules can depend on the policy and claim. Ask the carrier whether you can use a contractor you choose and how it handles price differences before signing a repair contract.

What if part of the loss is not covered?

We can separate direct-pay work from claim-related work so you can see the cost before deciding. A coverage denial does not automatically mean the property does not need repair; it changes who pays for it.

Not sure where to start?

Call and describe what happened. We can explain the restoration steps without promising what an insurer will pay.

Call (555) 555-5555