Stop the source
Shut off the water, or wait for the fire department to clear the structure. Safety before property.
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 file the claim.
Most claims get reduced for one reason: the damage was disturbed before anyone documented it. This is the order that protects you.
Call us before you file
Call us first, not your insurer. We document the loss the way an adjuster needs to see it and start mitigating, so the claim you file already has its evidence attached. A slow start is its own reason for a reduced payout.
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 go.
What we actually provide
Adjusters work from evidence. Organized evidence means less friction now and no argument about scope six 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
Almost every policy requires you to stop the damage getting worse. Waiting days for an adjuster before anything starts can reduce your settlement. Starting promptly protects the claim.
What's usually covered
Water damage
Most policies cover sudden damage like a burst pipe, but not a slow leak. That one distinction is why most water claims get cut.
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 are a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster or an attorney, and none of this is legal advice. We document what we find. Coverage decisions belong to your carrier.
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 work, yes. Your policy expects you to stop the damage spreading. Rebuilding, no. That waits until the adjuster has seen it.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurer suggests?
Usually no. Carriers suggest a preferred vendor, but you can normally pick your own contractor. Ask your carrier to confirm.
What if my claim gets denied?
Ask for the denial in writing, with the policy wording it relies on. Good documentation is your strongest position, which is why we document the way we do. For a formal dispute, call a public adjuster or an attorney.
Let us do the paperwork.
You deal with your family. We'll deal with the moisture logs, the photographs and the adjuster.