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The process typically takes 30-60 days, depending on the job size. Factors like homeowner availability, insurance communication, and material availability can also impact the timeline.

In the State of California, it is illegal for an insurance company to require you to work with any vendor. In your home you are permitted to hire or fire any contractor, whether preferred vendor or not. Additionally, insurance companies are not legally allowed to refer you to any contractor unless you request them to do so and they must inform you, in writing, that you have the right to choose your contractor(s).

California Code of Regulations, title 10, Section 2695.9 states:

(b) No insurer shall require that the insured have the property repaired by a specific individual or entity.
(c) No insurer shall suggest or recommend that the insured have the property repaired by a specific individual or entity unless:
     (1) the referral is expressly requested by the claimant; or
     (2) the claimant has been informed in writing of the right to select a repair individual or entity and, if the claimant accepts the suggestion or recommendation, the insurer shall cause the damaged property to be restored to no less than its condition prior to the loss and repaired in a manner which meets accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction at no additional cost to the claimant other than as stated in the policy or as otherwise allowed by these regulations.”

In most cases, no. Policies usually require you to mitigate damage right away. This can include shutting off water, removing standing water, or placing a dehumidifier. Always confirm with your adjuster before starting major repairs to see what needs to happen first. If you start early, take photos and keep receipts! Submit everything promptly to your adjuster so they’re up-to-date on the status of the repairs. SOS will handle much of this documentation for you.

You’re responsible for your deductible and the cost to repair the issue that caused the damage (plumbing, roofing, etc.). Insurance often doesn’t cover the actual part that caused the damage. Upgrades or changes beyond your policy coverage will also be an out-of-pocket expense.

The first step is typically filing a claim with your insurance company. However, you may choose not to go through insurance, whether the damage is too minimal to justify a claim or if you’re dealing with long-term damage (which insurance often doesn’t cover).

You want to repair the cause of the damage quickly to prevent recurrence. Next, remediation is done to remove damaged materials and dry the affected areas. Finally, you’ll work with a contractor to rebuild and restore your home.

Stick to the facts. For example: “I noticed water damage on [date] at [time], which affected these areas of my home. I called a plumber and hired a water mitigation team.”

If you don’t know how to answer something, it’s acceptable for you to refer them to us or your plumber. Your insurance company should not expect you to be an expert in the industry or have all the answers.

Possibly.

Save all receipts and electrical bills. At the end of the claim, some expenses may be eligible for reimbursement by your insurance. If you go to the laundromat because you are unable to use your washer or dryer, save the receipts. If you need to stay in a hotel or eat out, save the receipts.

The insurance company may cover up to 100% of all out-of-pocket expenses beyond your normal expenditures, including a change in your electrical bill. However, you will want to verify this with your adjuster.

There are many reasons not to file an insurance claim. Maybe you don’t have insurance, your damage isn’t considered a recoverable loss, the damage is too minimal to justify a claim, or you simply don’t want to. Whatever your reason, that’s perfectly fine and you can pay out of pocket.

We accept payments through credit card, cash, or check. We also offer flexible payment plans through Hearth Financing to help manage the cost. Ask us for more information if you are interested in using this option.

Generally, repairs take 30-60 days. However, many factors can have major effects on the timeline including the size of the loss, type of materials to be removed/replaced, contractor availability, and how long insurance takes to make a coverage determination.

Our standard operating procedure is as follows:

• Extract any standing water and set a dehumidifier to begin mitigating any potential secondary damages

• Call in a testing company for hazardous materials if needed

• Set up a text thread with you and our team

• Schedule a second assessment and begin prep work (flooring protection, dust barrier, etc.)

• Schedule the remediation and demolition

• Perform a structural dry down of remaining materials like wood studs, sub-floor, etc.

• Remove equipment after 3-5 days or when the structure has sufficiently dried

• Schedule for a reconstruction expert to repair your home and get you back to normal