Fire, Mold, Storm, & Water Damage Insurance Claims
At 24/7 Restoration, we demystify what adjusters want, how settlements are determined, and the steps to ensure your claim stays on track so you can restore your home fast and with confidence. If you’re dealing with a restoration insurance claim in Boulder, CO, we can help.
Insurance Claim Tips for Homeowners After Water, Fire, or Mold Damage
Know your rights. Protect your home. Navigate the claims process with confidence.
When disaster strikes, always get to safety first, then make 24-7 Restoration your first call. Before you reach out to insurance or anyone else, let us step in. Acting fast can prevent further damage, and we can contact your insurance company with you-or on your behalf. We’re experts in both restoration and insurance coordination, so you can focus on getting life back to normal while we handle the hard stuff.
Below are essential tips every homeowner should understand when filing a property insurance claim.
10 Insurance Claim Tips
Read these tips. Call us to discuss. Move forward with confidence.
Once you and your family are safe, call 24-7 Restoration first-before calling anyone else. Most insurance policies require you to take steps to prevent further damage, and we'll help you do that while protecting your claim.
No. You're not obligated to use your insurance provider's preferred contractor. You have the legal right to choose a licensed, insured, and trusted restoration contractor who works in your best interest.
Only the homeowner can authorize repairs. Your insurer may suggest vendors, but ultimately, you decide who restores your property.
No. Insurance companies must cover the reasonable cost of restoring your property to pre-loss condition. You're not required to accept the cheapest bid - especially if it compromises quality or completeness.
A solid contract includes a detailed scope of work, material specifications, pricing structure, and how change orders will be handled. Avoid vague terms like "repair as needed."
Unless you have an "actual cash value" policy, most homeowners are entitled to repairs that restore the home to like kind and quality - meaning similar materials and workmanship as before the damage.
Yes. Choose a contractor with proper licensing, insurance, and certifications like IICRC or RIA. These credentials matter - especially when dealing with water, mold, or fire damage repairs covered by insurance.
In many states, yes. That's why documenting your repairs with photos, invoices, and proof of completion is essential. It protects your home's value and resale process.
You have the right to request an insurance appraisal, a formal process built into many policies to resolve disagreements without going to court.
Look for established local businesses with experience in insurance restoration. Ask for references, check certifications, and confirm they handle documentation required for insurance reimbursement.
You're generally entitled to full restoration of your home to its pre-loss condition, minus your deductible. Policies vary, so review your coverage limits closely.
Most states require insurers to issue payment within 15-30 days after the claim is settled. Stay on top of deadlines and follow up if delays occur.
Choose 24-7 Restoration for the Best Restoration Services in Colorado
At 24-7 Restoration, we know that property emergencies can happen at any time of day or night, and we are always available to help with a variety of situations. From handling immediate needs to prevent further damage to repairing and rebuilding your home or business, our wide range of services make us a top choice for customers throughout Longmont, Boulder, and surrounding cities.
Our Restoration Process Is Quick and Convenient
We know that acting quickly is the most important step we can take to help our clients preserve as much of their homes and businesses as possible following any type of emergency. That’s why we’re committed to having a crew of our skilled team members at your residence or business within an hour of speaking to you on the phone at any time of day or night.
We won’t make you wait to hear back from your insurance company before handling immediate needs to prevent further damage. If your building experiences water, sewer, or fire damage or you find mold or asbestos, we are always here to help.
Restoration Services We Offer
Our team members are trained to handle a wide variety of types of property damage. Each category of restoration services begins by assessing the level of damage your home or business has experienced to determine the most appropriate next steps to take. No matter what type of emergency you experience, our restoration process involves dealing with the immediate threat and cleaning up your building, and making repairs as needed.
Water Damage
After a broken pipe, leaky roof, or flood, we work fast to dry your house, test for mold, and restore your property to like new.
- Learn More
Sewer Damage
After sewage removal, we disinfect, remove contaminated materials, and repair structures to fully restore safety.
- Learn More
Fire and Smoke Damage
After a fire, we secure property, restore belongings, and rebuild damaged areas for safe use.
- Learn More
Mold
We isolate affected areas, remove contaminated materials, eliminate mold with fungicide, restoring surfaces and structure.
- Learn More
Basics of Fire, Mold, Storm, and Water Damage Insurance Claims
Reviewing these 8 facts can be the difference between peace of mind and regret.
Most firms start with a line-item estimate and scope of repairs, factoring in material and labor costs and the deductible. When the policy includes replacement cost negotiation, the insurer typically pays an initial amount for actual cash value, and then pays recoverable depreciation after we provide documentation of repairs completed within the approved scope of work.
Ordinance and law or building code upgrades, if applicable, should be addressed with independent authorization and a supplemental estimate.
We gather photos and bills to request a supplement or re-inspection, enabling the adjuster to address line items and cost variances against market rates while correcting scope-of-work mistakes.
The chronological file should include photographs, bills for emergency mitigation, estimates, inspection reports, all correspondence and emails to the insurer, and permits and releases for final depreciation bills. Maintaining these documents electronically, with dates, accelerates approvals and streamlines dispute resolution.
Emergency repairs to avoid further loss are acceptable, provided we take accurate pictures, save receipts, and inform the insurer. Non-emergency repairs should not be completed until we receive written authorization to avoid coverage issues.
When there is an emergency need for repairs due to safety or habitability, we take before-and-after pictures so the adjuster can inspect the cost.
Prompt notice of loss, careful record-keeping, and timely response to requisitions keep the file moving. Delays are generally caused by a lack of evidence, scope problems, or supplements for hidden damage discovered during tear-out.
We suspend work in the affected area, document it by photographs and measurements, and submit an addendum estimate with modified scope items and pricing. This allows the insurer to inspect the damage before continuing, unless there is an immediate safety issue that must be addressed.
We can help with a full range of restoration insurance claims, including:
- Water damage insurance claims
- Fire damage insurance claims
- Flood damage insurance claims
- Mold damage insurance claims
- Smoke damage insurance claims
We complete the repairs within the approved limit, receive final bills and lien waivers, and document clear "after" photos of every line item. After that, we submit a depreciation release package under the claim number with any change-order approvals.
Simplify Your Claim and Get Your Home Back Faster
Move from estimate to completion without the runaround! Call (303) 485-1730 now or request help online, and we’ll get to work today.
Insurance Claims Checklist
This step-by-step checklist helps you navigate a property insurance claim with confidence. Print it. Save it. Share it.
- Ensure everyone is safe and out of harm's way
- Stop further damage if safe to do so (e.g., shut off water, secure property)
- Call 24-7 Restoration at 303-485-1730 for emergency response
- Speak with a 24-7 Restoration expert before calling your insurer-we'll help you take the right steps and limit further damage
- Then notify your insurance company-we can help you communicate with them from the very first call
- Write down your claim number and the adjuster's contact info
- Request a copy of your full policy and coverage details
- Take clear photos/videos of all damage before cleanup begins
- Note the date/time of the incident and your first contact with insurance
- Keep receipts for any temporary repairs or emergency services
- You can choose your own licensed restoration contractor
- You are NOT required to accept the lowest bid
- Ask for proof of licensing, insurance, and IICRC/RIA certifications
- Ensure scope of work, materials, and pricing are clearly detailed
- Avoid vague language like "repair as needed"
- Confirm how change orders will be handled
- Keep emails, voicemails, and notes from your adjuster
- Log key dates like inspections, approvals, and payments
- Back up all documentation in one secure place
- Understand your deductible and coverage limits
- If needed, request an appraisal to challenge an insurer's estimate
- Payment is typically due within 15-30 days of claim approval
- Make sure all work is completed per your contract
- Take "after" photos of the restored space
- Save all invoices, proof of payment, and warranties
- Keep a full paper trail of the loss and repairs
- These documents may be required during real estate disclosure
