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Should I Call Insurance or a Restoration Company First?
Hi everyone! Jarrett Dixon here, owner of Master Restoration. You’re standing in your hallway, water is soaking into your baseboards, and your heart is racing. You have your phone in your hand, but you’re staring at two different numbers: your insurance agent and a restoration professional. It’s the age-old dilemma for homeowners in Clearwater and across Central Florida: Should I call insurance or a restoration company first?
The short answer might surprise you: Call the restoration company first.
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t talk to your insurance company—you absolutely must file a claim. However, in the world of disaster recovery, the first hour is more important than the first day. Here is why making that restoration call your priority is the smartest move for your property.
- Mitigation is a Legal Requirement
Most homeowners don’t realize that nearly every insurance policy contains a “duty to mitigate” clause. This means the policyholder is legally responsible for taking immediate action to prevent further damage. If a pipe bursts and you wait three days for an adjuster to fly in or drive over before you start drying things out, the insurance company could actually deny part of your claim because you allowed mold to grow or wood to rot. By calling Master Restoration first, you are fulfilling your legal obligation to protect the property immediately.
- We Find the “Why” and the “Where”
An insurance agent is great at handling paperwork, but they aren’t on-site with a moisture meter. When we arrive, the first thing we do is a professional assessment. We use thermal imaging cameras to see exactly how far the water has traveled behind your walls. We can help you identify the source of the leak, which is a critical piece of information your insurance company will ask for the second you get them on the line. Knowing the “scope of work” before you file the claim helps ensure your claim is accurate from minute one.
- We Speak “Insurance”
When you do call your insurance company—which you should do right after you’ve secured a restoration team—it helps to have a professional standing next to you. We can help you describe the damage using the technical terms adjusters need to hear. We document everything: moisture readings, atmospheric conditions, and “before” photos. This documentation is the “evidence” that proves your loss. Having a pro help you navigate that initial conversation can prevent you from accidentally saying something that might lead to a wrongful claim denial.
- Adjusters Can Take Time
In Central Florida, especially after a big storm, adjusters are spread thin. It might take them 48 to 72 hours (or longer) to physically get to your front door. If you wait for them to arrive before starting the cleanup, your home will likely have a full-blown mold colony by the time they see it. We start the extraction and drying process immediately, and we work directly with your adjuster once they arrive to show them exactly what was done and why it was necessary.
- Your Choice, Your Home
Sometimes, if you call the insurance company first, they will push you toward one of their “preferred vendors.” As I’ve mentioned before, you have the legal right in Florida to choose your own contractor. By calling the team you trust first, you ensure that the people working on your home have your best interests at heart, not the insurance company’s bottom line.
In a crisis, the goal is to stop the bleeding. Stop the water, start the drying, and then handle the paperwork. Getting a professional crew on-site immediately is the best way to ensure your “bad day” doesn’t turn into a “bad year.”
Until next time, this is Jarrett Dixon reminding you: Got a disaster? Call the Master!