Insurance claims
You own your claim. Here's how the process usually works, what policies tend to cover, and the documentation that helps an adjuster make a decision.
First 24 hours
Shut off the water and cut power to wet rooms. Your policy expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Wide shots of each room, close-ups of damage, the source, and damaged belongings. Before anything is moved or thrown out.
Call your insurer or agent and get a claim number. Florida generally requires notice of a new property claim within one year of the date of loss, but sooner is always better.
Extraction and drying are mitigation, the work that keeps the loss from growing. It does not need to wait for the adjuster.
Hotel stays, meals, equipment rental, and damaged items. Keep everything that was removed until the adjuster says otherwise, or photograph it thoroughly.
Insurance companies
We have handled water, mold, storm, and fire claims for policyholders of these carriers, so we know what their adjusters ask for. Don't see yours? We work with your insurer either way.
Names are listed to show experience only. Restoration USA is not affiliated with or endorsed by these companies. We work for you, the property owner, and your insurer makes all coverage decisions.
Coverage
Usually covers
Usually covers sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst supply line or an appliance overflow.
Watch for
Gradual leaks, wear and tear, and rising floodwater are typically excluded. Some policies cap or exclude mold.
Usually covers
Covers what the unit owner is responsible for under the association's documents, typically interior finishes, cabinets, appliances, and contents.
Watch for
Under Florida's condo statute, the association's master policy generally covers the building itself. Which policy pays depends on where the leak started and the declaration.
Usually covers
Covers damage from rising water: storm surge, overflowing canals, and street flooding.
Watch for
Homeowners policies almost never cover flood. NFIP policies generally have a 30-day waiting period after purchase, so buy before you need it.
Usually covers
Covers the building and business property under the terms of the policy; some include business interruption.
Watch for
Documentation of downtime and the timeline of work matters for business interruption claims.
Documentation
Adjusters approve what they can verify. Our job records make the loss easy to verify: where the water came from, what it reached, how wet each material was, and how it was dried.
We are a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster. We don't interpret your policy or negotiate your settlement. We make sure the facts are clear.
How a job runs
Respond
Stop the damage from spreading.
We answer 24/7. We walk you through shutting off the water and power to wet areas, then schedule a crew.
Meters and thermal imaging show where the water went, including inside walls and under flooring. Starting conditions are photographed.
Recover
Get the water out and the structure dry.
Extraction removes the bulk of the water fast, which shortens drying time more than anything else.
Air movers and dehumidifiers are set for the space. We take readings every day and adjust until materials reach the dry standard.
Restore
Return the property to pre-loss condition.
Affected areas are cleaned and treated. Materials that could not be saved are replaced.
You get the photos, moisture logs, and itemized scope your adjuster needs, so the claim is supported by records.
FAQ
No. Mitigation, meaning extraction and drying, is how you prevent further damage, which your policy expects. We document the conditions before and during the work so the adjuster can see what we found even if they inspect after drying has started.
Generally, yes. Some Florida policies include optional managed repair programs with their own rules, so read your policy or ask your agent. For emergency mitigation, you can call us right away either way.
Yes. For covered claims, we bill your insurance company directly. You pay your deductible and anything your policy does not cover. We provide the itemized scope, photos, and moisture documentation the adjuster uses to evaluate the claim, and we explain the paperwork before work starts so there are no surprises.
Assignment of benefits (AOB) transferred a policyholder's claim rights to a contractor. Florida no longer allows AOB agreements for property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023. You stay in control of your claim.
Florida policies usually have a separate hurricane deductible, commonly 2, 5, or 10 percent of the dwelling coverage, that applies to losses from a named hurricane. It is often much higher than the regular deductible. Your declarations page lists it.
No. We are a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster or an attorney. We document the damage and the work; the coverage decision and the settlement are between you and your insurer.
Don't wait. Go with the pros.
Call the 24/7 line. We will help you stop the source, tell you what to move, and get a crew scheduled. Not urgent? Send a request and we will call you back.
Call 24/7 (954) 289-0566On call 24/7
Schedule a no-cost on-site inspection. A restoration specialist will contact you within a few minutes to confirm the details.
Request received
Thank you. A restoration specialist will contact you at the number provided to confirm the details. If water is still coming in, call now and we'll walk you through shutting it off.
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