Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Repair

Q:  I have had damage to my property.  What should I do first?

A:  The first thing you should do once the unfortunate happens is contact your insurance agent.  Your insurance company is there to help you.  Call them at once and explain to them what has happened.  Don’t be afraid to ask for their assistance.  And always remember to keep your policy in a safe place.

Q:  After I have contacted my insurance company, what are my responsibilities?

A:  All insurance policies ask that you protect the damages to keep the losses to a minimum.  For example, if you have had a fire, it is important to make the remaining portion of the dwelling secure to prevent liability in the event someone is injured.  Acclaim Restoration can work with you immediately during an emergency to help protect you and your belongings.

Q:  Once I have suffered a property loss, am I required to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?

A:  No.  Because it is your property you have the right to use the contractor of choice for the repairs/restoration.

Q:  Do I have to pay a deductible?

A:  Yes.  Any insurance policy has a deductible which is your portion of any property loss.  The amount of your deductible is defined in your policy and was set by you and your insurance company when you bought the policy.

Q:  What is the difference between actual cash value (ACV) and replacement cost value (RCV)?

A:  Replacement cost coverage provides for a damaged item to be replaced for what it costs today, at a fair market price of like kind and quality, regardless of when it was purchased.

Actual cash value provides for the compensation of the balance of the life expectancy of a damaged item.  Your insurance company owes for only the unused portion of the balance of its life.

Q:  Who are the insurance adjusters?

A:  There are three different kinds of insurance adjusters.  The first is the company adjuster, who is the representative of your insurance company.  The second is the independent adjuster.  This adjuster is contracted by your insurance company to resolve the loss.  The third type of adjuster is the public adjuster.  A public adjuster assists you with inventories and estimates.  Their payment is not covered by the insurance company, so make sure that if you sign with them you are willing to pay for their services.

Q:  What is covered on my policy?

A:  Insurance coverage usually covers the damages resulting form an accidental and sudden event.  If you are not certain what damages are covered, then please contact your insurance company.  They will know for sure.

Q:  How do we get started?

A:  Once you call Acclaim Restoration we will immediately begin working with you to get your home or business back to normal in the quickest, most convenient way possible.  Acclaim Restoration will send a specialized project manager to walk the job with you to assess damages before any work begins.  Then we will make all necessary repairs according to the agreed upon scope of work.

Q:  What do I need to do about mortgage company endorsements?

A:  As a free service to you, Acclaim Restoration will work with you and your mortgage company to schedule inspections, affidavits, and all other necessary documents required by them.

Q:  What is a supplement?

A:  Damages caused by the same claim and covered by your insurance policy, but that were not discovered during the initial estimation process is called a supplement.  We will work with your adjuster to determine the additional damages that are covered and paid for by your insurance company.