You have worked hard for your home and dealing with damage to it can be stressful, emotional and overwhelming. When your home is damaged due to water, fire, mold or trauma, you may be stuck wondering how you should proceed.
You may have a million questions running through your head, including:
- Who can help me fix this damage?
- Should I call my insurance company?
- Does my insurance cover this disaster?
- Do I need to take pictures?
- Will my insurance cover the cost to rebuild or repair the damage?
Dealing with a disaster – and an insurance company – is a process. Let Sage Restoration take over and handle the stress for you. We work WITH insurance companies to make sure you are getting the most out of your claim.
BEST PRACTICES FOR WORKING ON DISASTER CLAIMS
- Call Your Restoration Company First
Qualified restoration experts possess the ability to assess the damage and help you decide whether to go through the insurance company or not. At Sage Restoration, we provide peace of mind, offering you guidance every step of the way.
If we are not on your insurance companies’ preferred provider list, that’s okay. Sage can file a claim with any insurance carrier. We want you to choose the company that YOU think will best represent your interests. Do your research, make an informed choice, and call the restoration or disaster relief company you trust first.
- Begin Processing Your Disaster Right Away
When you experience a disaster, you may be tempted to step away from the situation for a while to avoid the stress. However, you must act right away to prevent further damage and to avoid the risk of your insurance company not covering the claim.
Sage Restoration is available 24/7 and aims to be at your home within 90 minutes (depending on travel distance and time). The sooner you call, the sooner you can contact your insurance company with the appropriate information.
- Evidence Is Key
The key to getting the most out of your insurance claim is the evidence you provide. The right evidence will allow you to provide proof of the source of the damage, the extent of the damage, and the cost of repairs. An experienced team, like Sage Restoration, will know how to document evidence of your disaster. The most valuable evidence is pictures. You can never have enough pictures, and we understand the importance of documenting the entire cleanup process with pictures to provide to the insurance company.
- Be Aggressive
You can’t be passive when dealing with insurance. Insurance companies typically try to offer the lowest amount possible for a claim. When dealing with insurance, you want a restoration company who can act aggressively and be your advocate. After all, the insurance company is looking out for their best interests – who’s looking out for yours?
- Be Patient
Dealing with insurance is a game of ‘hurry up and wait.’ It can be a long and frustrating process, but you have to follow all the steps and remain patient if you want the best possible results. Our team will keep you updated every step of the way, but patience is the key….to your sanity.
TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR A DISASTER-RELATED INSURANCE CLAIM
Dealing with an insurance company on a disaster-related claim can be overwhelming. If you haven’t had to file a claim yet – or if you have but you would like to be more prepared in case there is a next time – there are a few steps you can follow.
- Research & Choose a Trustworthy Restoration Company
There are many reasons why you don’t want to default to the insurance company’s ‘preferred provider.’ However, in the case of a disaster emergency, you may not feel like you have the proper time to research and choose the right company. You can solve this problem by taking some time to research when you are not in a stressful situation. Check out Sage Restoration and learn how we can help you!
- Review Your Insurance Policy
Many people get insurance because they have to but they don’t really consider all the details. Before disaster strikes, review your policy to know exactly what coverage is included. The policy itself can be difficult to understand, but if you have a knowledgeable agent you can sit down and get the information you need.
- Keep Records
Saving receipts (especially for your most expensive purchases) will allow you to document the exact price and the exact time you bought the item (used in assessing depreciation value). Because your paper records may be lost in a fire or flood, you should also consider keeping digital files. Take pictures and store in a safety deposit box. This will ensure that your records are preserved in the worst case scenario.
At Sage Restoration, we can take you through every step of the insurance claims process and advocate to get you the most payout possible. We are a family company that treats our customers like family. Because we have been through countless disasters, we are experts in the process. When you choose Sage Restoration, you choose service with compassion!
