How We Work With Your Insurance Company

Insurance is the part people worry about most. Not the water. The claim.

We have handled thousands of claims. Here is what we do, what we cannot do, and the things people get told that are simply not true.

Can we file your claim for you?

No. Only you can.

You are the policyholder. The insurance company will only take the claim from you. Anyone who tells you they will file it on your behalf is wrong.

What we can do is help you get ready for that call. We can tell you what we found and where. You make the call.

Do we talk to your adjuster?

Yes, once you have signed the work authorization.

We answer their questions. We send them photos, moisture readings and our report. If they want to know why we removed something, we can show them the numbers that say it was wet.

We try to keep you on those conversations too. It is your claim. You should hear what is said about it.

Can your insurance company make you use their company?

No. And this is the one we want you to hear clearly.

If someone tells you that you have to use a company from your insurer's list, that is not true. You choose who works on your home. It is your house.

There is a real difference between the two. A company your insurance company sends is under contract with your insurance company. They work for them. When you hire us, we are contracted by you. We work for you.

If anyone tells you that you have no choice, call us and we will help you sort it out.

Should you wait for an adjuster before we start?

No, and this one costs people money.

Some people are told to leave everything until an adjuster has seen it. Meanwhile the water keeps spreading and mold starts. Most policies actually ask you to stop the damage from getting worse as soon as you know about it.

Take photos first. Lots of them. Then let us start.

Can we tell you what your insurance will cover?

No. We are not allowed to and we would not want to guess.

Your insurance company decides what is covered. That is their call, based on your policy and your deductible.

What we can do is tell you how claims like yours have usually gone, out of the thousands we have seen. And we give you the paperwork your adjuster asks for. But we will never promise you an outcome that is not ours to promise.

How do we price the work so it matches your claim?

We bill for time and materials, following a standards manual called the IICRC S500. That is the rule book the industry uses for water jobs.

For pricing we use a tool called Xactimate. Most insurance companies use the same tool. So the numbers on our invoice come from the same price list your insurer already works from. We will give you a copy.

What if your insurance pays less than our invoice?

It happens sometimes. Usually it is a misunderstanding, and usually it gets fixed.

Tell us right away if it happens. We will get in touch with your adjuster, find out what they are questioning, and work it out with them.

What red flags should you watch for?

"We will file your claim for you." They cannot. Only you can.

"Your insurance company requires you to use us." Not true. You pick.

"We guarantee your insurance will cover this." Nobody can promise that.

"Wait for the adjuster before doing anything." Waiting usually makes the damage worse, and your policy may expect you to act.

"We will bill your insurance so you never see a bill." You are still the one responsible for the invoice. Anyone hiding that from you is not being straight with you.

Who do you call?

Us, any hour of any day. We will come look, tell you what we see, and tell you what to expect from the claim side based on what we have watched happen before.

Mitigation is the part carriers expect to happen quickly, which is why water extraction and mold remediation start before the paperwork is settled.