Understanding Your Coverage & Maximizing Your Claim
Navigating insurance claims can be overwhelming during an already stressful time. Approved Restorations has extensive experience working with all major insurance companies and will handle the entire claims process for you—from initial documentation to final settlement.
Complete Documentation
Detailed reports, photos, and estimates
Direct Billing Available
We can bill your insurance directly
Claims Advocacy
We fight for fair claim settlements
Adjuster Coordination
We handle all insurance communication
Coverage varies by policy, but most standard homeowner's insurance covers sudden and accidental damage:
Understanding the claims process helps reduce stress and ensures proper compensation:
What You Do: Call us immediately at 1-833-REST0RE. We'll assess damage and begin emergency mitigation.
What We Do: Document everything with photos, videos, and detailed notes. Start damage mitigation to prevent further loss.
Timing: First 24 hours
What You Do: Call your insurance company's claims department within 24-48 hours. Provide basic incident details.
What We Do: We can make this call for you or be present during the call to provide professional input.
Timing: Within 24-48 hours
What We Do: Create comprehensive documentation including detailed scope of work, itemized estimates, and supporting evidence.
Insurance Does: Assigns a claims adjuster to review your case.
Timing: 2-5 days
What Happens: Insurance adjuster inspects the damage. We coordinate this visit and are present to ensure accurate assessment.
What We Do: Point out all damage, explain restoration needs, and advocate for comprehensive coverage.
Timing: 3-10 days from claim filing
Insurance Does: Reviews adjuster's report and approves claim amount. Issues initial payment (less your deductible).
What We Do: Review settlement to ensure it covers all necessary work. Negotiate if needed.
Timing: 1-3 weeks from inspection
What We Do: Complete all approved restoration work to the highest standards.
Payment: We can bill insurance directly, or work with your payment arrangement.
Timing: Varies by project scope
Insurance Does: Releases final payment after work completion verification.
What We Do: Provide final documentation and ensure your complete satisfaction.
Timing: Upon project completion
Key terms and concepts that affect your claim payout
ACV policies pay the depreciated value of damaged items. This means insurance deducts for age and wear, paying what your 10-year-old roof was worth at time of loss—not what a new roof costs.
Example: A roof with 20-year shingles that's 10 years old might only receive 50% of replacement cost.
RCV policies pay the full cost to replace damaged items with new ones of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation.
Example: That same 10-year-old roof would receive full payment for brand new shingles.
The amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage kicks in. Common deductibles range from $500 to $2,500. Higher deductibles = lower premiums.
Tip: If damage is close to your deductible amount, it may not be worth filing a claim.
If your home is uninhabitable during restoration, ALE covers hotel stays, meals, and extra expenses beyond your normal living costs.
Keep receipts! You'll need documentation for all ALE expenses.
Maximum amounts your policy will pay for different types of claims. Mold coverage is often limited to $10,000-$25,000 unless you have an endorsement.
Review annually to ensure limits match your home's current value.
Additional coverage you can add to your policy. Common endorsements include sewer backup, sump pump failure, overland flooding, and increased mold coverage.
Ask your broker about endorsements before you need them!
We create professional, comprehensive documentation that insurance companies trust. Our detailed estimates and reports ensure nothing is missed and your claim is properly valued.
We handle all communication with your insurance company, adjuster meetings, and follow-up. You won't need to navigate confusing insurance jargon or processes alone.
If an initial settlement is inadequate, we'll advocate for you. With years of experience, we know what's fair and will fight to ensure proper coverage.
In most cases, we can bill your insurance company directly. You only pay your deductible upfront, removing financial stress during restoration.
If hidden damage is discovered during restoration, we'll file supplemental claims to ensure all work is covered. We make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
You focus on getting back to normal life. We handle the insurance complexity, paperwork, and negotiations so you don't have to.
We have established relationships with all major insurance providers in Ontario
Don't see your insurance company? Don't worry—we work with ALL insurance providers across Canada.
Take extensive photos and videos before any cleanup. Document all damage, water levels, affected items, and structural issues. More documentation is always better than not enough.
You're required to prevent further damage. Emergency mitigation (water extraction, tarping) is almost always covered and protects your claim. Don't wait for adjuster approval for emergency work.
Save receipts for temporary repairs, hotels, meals, replacement items, and all expenses related to the damage. These may be reimbursable under your policy.
Keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them or approves disposal. Your insurance needs to verify the damage and may require damaged items as evidence.
Request written confirmation of all conversations, agreements, and approvals from your insurance company. Email is acceptable—just get it documented.
Most policies require prompt notification. File your claim within the timeframe specified in your policy—usually within 60 days of discovery.
You pay your deductible; insurance covers the rest. If repairs cost less than your deductible, insurance won't pay. Know your deductible amount before filing.
Make sure your coverage limits are adequate for your property value and contents. Consider endorsements for sewer backup, sump pump failure, and increased mold coverage.
Our insurance specialists are here to guide you through every step of the claims process.