Insurance companies will want to work in steps.
Hopefully, you’re not in the middle of a disaster right now. If you are, stop reading this and call us right now! If not, can we just say that maybe this is the time to call your insurance company and talk with them about being prepared? Reading this article might help you know what questions to ask them.
In the event of a disaster, what should you do? What does the insurance company need to get started? In this article we’ll cover the steps we take, and your insurance takes, to provide a good solution. So consider printing this article, or bookmarking it, so you’ll know where to find it.
When there’s a flood, or you have water damage of another kind, or a fire, you’re going to have lots of questions. You’ll want to know if you are covered for the damage. And what about the rebuild – is that covered? You may want to take pictures. Whatever the situation, Restoration 1 of West Denver can help. But the more prepared you are, the smoother the clean up and rebuild process will happen.
Step by step. Insurance companies will want to work in steps. So the more info you have, the faster you can check off each step!
- Some initial assessment is helpful. The insurance company will do their own investigation, but if you can tell them what has happened and what you know, that will get things started. Give them your initial observations. While your first question to the insurance company is probably “Am I covered,” that’s not always easy to answer. Sometimes they have to get to the cause before giving you a firm answer. For example, there’s a difference between water damage and flood damage and whether or not your policy covers the problem.
- Taking photographs also helps. If you have a phone or camera handy, take photos. But even if you don’t, the insurance company will want their own photos.
- Your initial reaction may be to start cleaning up. Don’t do it! Your insurance company will want to document the disaster from the beginning, so let them take care of it. If, by cleaning up, you make the situation better, that can hurt your claim.
- Before you call your insurance company. You may want to call your local disaster restoration company BEFORE calling your insurance company. A disaster restoration company should be skilled in assessing the total damage. Armed with that information, you may decide that you don’t want to call your insurance company if you have a high deductible. A disaster restoration company can advise you of the need to call your insurance company.
- When should you call your insurance company? Once you’ve had a discussion with the disaster relief company, your call to the insurance company should be timely. From that point on, the disaster relief company should be able to handle everything for you. Restoration 1 of West Denver will clean up, gather the evidence that the insurance company needs, provide estimates for any work that has to be done and work with your insurance adjuster for you.
Take it easy. Working through Restoration 1 of West Denver can also relieve the stress and anxiety you feel.
Choosing your restoration company. Some of our clients ask if we work with their insurance company. The truth is you have the right to choose your own restoration company. That’s the law. While your insurance company may pressure you into using their own disaster relief company, in many cases it’s NOT in your best interest to go with their recommendation. While the pricing arrangements they have with the disaster company may be better than the estimate provided by your local restoration company, the quality of work and responsiveness may suffer.
What should you look for in a disaster relief company? Here’s a check list.
- Obviously, you want quick, 24/7 service and support.
- Be sure the technicians are certified.
- Check reviews to make sure they have a good reputation.
- A local business helps. They understand the environment and the materials needed for top-quality repair.
- A company that can provide value and direction in the clean up and rebuild process.
- Having both clean-up and rebuild under the same roof, also helps.
Finally, you’ll want to know how much coverage you have. Will your insurance company cover everything, or will the depreciated value mean you only get a percentage of the cost to rebuild? Restoration 1 of West Denver will act as your advocate and help you recover as much of the costs as possible.
Now that you know, put our information aside and make sure you have it when, and if, you need it. Give us a call at 720-573-2568. For more information and to learn about our services, visit our website.