Insurance Help: What to Do After Damage to Your Home

What to do first after water damage

1. Make it safe. Keep people away from electrical hazards and heavily damaged areas. If in doubt, stay out.
2. Stop the water if you safely can. Turn off the water to the leaking fixture, or the main shut-off, if you know where it is.
3. Document it. Take photos and short video of the damage and the source, before anything is moved or removed, if it is safe to do so.
4. Call RestorationsPro at 423.520.6653. Getting the water out and the area drying protects the home from further damage.
5. Contact your insurer or agent to report the damage and start a claim. Ask what they need from you and note your claim number.

How a claim generally works

In general terms: you report the damage, the insurer opens a claim and assigns an adjuster, the damage is documented and scoped, and the insurer decides what the policy covers. Our job in that process is the hands-on work and the documentation that goes with it – photos, readings and records of the work done – which we share so you and your adjuster can see what was found and what was done.

Common questions

Should I wait for the adjuster before calling for cleanup?

Do not let standing water sit while you wait. Water keeps causing damage the longer it stays. Document first with photos, then call – and keep your insurer informed. If you are unsure, call us and your agent and ask.

How long does drying take?

It depends on how much water there was, what materials got wet, and how long the water sat. Anyone who promises an exact timeframe before seeing the job is guessing. We check moisture as the job goes and tell you what we are finding.

What should I keep for my records?

Your claim number, the photos and video you took, any invoices or paperwork you receive, and notes of who you spoke with and when. Keep damaged items, or at least photos of them, until your insurer says otherwise.

Will my policy cover this?

Only your insurer can answer that, and the answer depends on your policy and what caused the damage. We will document the work clearly either way, and you can share those records with your adjuster.

Do you only do insurance work?

No. We also work directly for homeowners paying themselves. The process is the same: document, explain, and agree the scope first.

What if it is mold or a crawlspace problem?

Start the same way: document it, avoid disturbing it, and call us. See our Mold and Crawlspace pages for more guidance.