A property disaster can be a stressful and overwhelming situation, to say the least. Whether you’re faced with a fire, hurricane, or burst pipe, where do you even begin with the cleanup and restoration? Our best advice is first to contact your local Restoration 1 to visit your damaged property and assess the situation.
We will then evaluate the damage and help you plan your next step, which is contacting your insurance company. We believe our advice, along with confirmation on what your insurance covers, will bring you some relief.
There are many processes the insurance company will require you to adhere to before they can approve and pay your claim. The sooner they can have your claim approved, the sooner restoration can begin, and your life can get back to normal. Restoration 1 will work with you and your insurance carrier to ensure that processes are handled properly.
In this article, we look at how to deal with your insurance company after a disaster.
The Process for Claiming from Your Insurance Company
- Respond to the emergency: If you experience a disaster in your home or business, the first thing to do is call emergency services like the fire department, police, or plumber, depending on the circumstances of your disaster. You will then need to contact a professional to start taking the proper restoration steps to repair and restore your home back to normal and prevent additional damage.
- Assess the damage: Once emergency services have done their job and the threat is handled, it’s time to assess your situation and the property damage you’re dealing with. Remember, don’t enter a home if there is a chance the structure is compromised.
- Call your insurer: Now it’s time to call your insurance company. They will know all about your policy and be able to tell you what damage is covered. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at and assess the damage and determine if it is a covered loss. And if you are displaced from your home, your insurance should cover lodging and possibly even living expenses. Unfortunately, the insurance claim process can be lengthy, with claims only being resolved within six weeks, sometimes longer.
- Call your local restoration company: Restoration 1 will be able to give you a good assessment of the damage and start the restoration process. Our team will be in communication with your insurance representative, but our first priority is our true customer – the property owner.Restoration 1 can handle everything for you. From the initial assessment, providing estimates, communicating with the insurer, to performing the restoration process and possible repair and reconstruction of the damaged property – depending on services offered by location.
- Document the damage: Once you know it is safe to enter, it’s time to document the damage. Your restoration company may offer to do this for you, or you can do it yourself. Take photographs of everything. The more evidence you have, the better your chances at proving the circumstances of your disaster and receiving approval of your claim from your insurer. However, the source or cause of the damage will also play a significant role in determining your claim approval and amount. Discuss the full scope of the loss with your insurer and restoration company.
What to expect once your insurer is called
- Meeting your adjuster: An insurance adjuster will come out and investigate your claim. They will be the person to decide if you are covered and how much their company will pay. Their inspection will be of the damage or cleanup and determine the damage’s cause or source. The adjuster will interview the home or business owner and witnesses if necessary. They will also research the police reports, your evidence collected, estimates recommended by the restoration company, and other documents.
- Claims negotiations: Once the investigation is done, the adjuster will recommend an amount the insurance company should pay. And this amount is typically negotiated. Negotiation is an integral part of the process. Your insurer will begin the process to directly pay the homeowner or restoration company for restoration and repairs.
Restoration 1 Works With All Insurance Companies
Property restoration requires a certain level of training and education. It also means working with outside elements for the benefit of your home or business. To that end, Restoration 1 will work directly with your insurance company to discuss our restoration services. We make ourselves available to the insurance adjuster for any questions regarding the extent of the damage, the services you require, or how we operate.
With years of industry experience, Restoration 1 can better address even the most severe property damage. We are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). When combined with our experience, these certifications make us quite attractive to insurance companies across the nation. These insurance providers, who are reimbursing owners for home repairs and restoration daily, want a highly skilled and competent company.
When your home or business has suffered from water, fire, or mold damage, give us a call. We will gladly work with your insurance company to provide exceptional restoration services. Find a Restoration 1 location in your area today!
