Stop the source
Shut off the water, or wait for the fire department to clear the structure. Safety before property, always.
Insurance claim support
The part everyone dreads. We'll handle it.
We can document the damage, provide estimates, and communicate with your adjuster. You have enough going on without also becoming an expert in claim documentation.
The first hour
What to do before you call the insurer.
Most claims get reduced for one reason: the damage wasn't documented before it was disturbed. This is the order that protects you.
Photograph everything
Before you move a single item. Wide shots of each room, then close-ups. Timestamps matter.
Don't throw anything out
Damaged contents are evidence. Your adjuster may need to see them before they're disposed of.
Call us, then them
We can be documenting and mitigating while your claim is opened. Delayed mitigation is itself a reason claims get reduced.
What we actually provide
Adjusters work from evidence. The more complete and better organized that evidence is, the less friction there is in the claim, and the less likely you are to be arguing about scope weeks later.
- Photographic documentation of every affected area, before anything is moved or removed
- Moisture readings logged daily throughout the drying process, showing the drying curve
- Written estimates in the format carriers expect
- Direct communication with your adjuster so you're not relaying technical detail between two parties
- Coverage review: we'll look at your declarations page with you and explain what it appears to cover
- A complete file at the end, so if anything is queried later the record exists
Mitigation is your responsibility under the policy
Nearly every homeowner policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Waiting several days for an adjuster to visit before starting mitigation can itself become a reason for a reduced settlement. Documenting and starting work promptly protects the claim. It doesn't jeopardize it.
What's usually covered
Water damage
Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, like burst pipes, but not long-term leaks or neglect. The distinction is the single most common reason water claims get reduced or denied.
Fire and smoke
Covered on virtually every homeowner policy, including the water damage caused by firefighting, and usually including additional living expense while the home is uninhabitable.
Mold
The most restricted line in most policies. Often covered only when it results directly from a covered sudden loss, and frequently capped at a low limit.
Sewer and drain backup
Usually a separate endorsement rather than base coverage. Worth checking your declarations page for "water backup": many people find they have it and didn't know.
Flood
Water rising from outside the building is generally not covered by a homeowner policy and requires separate flood insurance.
Questions worth asking your carrier
- What's my deductible on this type of loss?
- Does my policy include additional living expense, and what's the limit?
- Is there a sub-limit or cap on mold remediation?
- Do I have water backup coverage?
- Is my coverage replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Am I required to use a particular contractor?
On that last one: in most cases you can choose your own restoration contractor. Carriers frequently suggest a preferred vendor, and you're generally free to use someone else.
One honest caveat
We're a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster or an attorney, and nothing here is legal or insurance advice. We document what we find accurately and communicate it clearly: coverage decisions are your carrier's to make, and your policy is the document that governs them.
Common questions
Claims FAQ
Will you help me file a claim?
Absolutely. We can document the damage, provide estimates, and communicate with your adjuster.
Will my insurance cover water damage?
Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, like burst pipes, but not long-term leaks or neglect. We can help review your claim.
Should I start work before the adjuster visits?
Emergency mitigation, yes. Your policy generally requires you to prevent further damage, and waiting can hurt the claim. Full reconstruction, no. Document thoroughly first, and we'll coordinate the scope with your adjuster before rebuilding.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurer suggests?
In most cases, no. Carriers often recommend a preferred vendor, but you're generally free to choose your own restoration contractor. Check your policy and ask your carrier directly.
What if my claim gets denied?
Ask for the denial in writing with the specific policy language it relies on. Thorough documentation of what happened and when is your strongest position, which is a large part of why we document the way we do. For a formal dispute, a public adjuster or an attorney is the right next call.
Let us do the paperwork.
You deal with your family. We'll deal with the moisture logs, the photographs and the adjuster.