Important Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company

Understanding your deductible upfront helps you plan your finances. Ask whether the deductible is per-occurrence or per-year, and whether it applies to mitigation costs, reconstruction costs, or both.

If your home is uninhabitable, most policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. Ask how much is available, for how long, and what documentation you need to submit for reimbursement.

Most carriers will work directly with Allied Restoration, allowing us to submit Xactimate estimates and documentation on your behalf. This often speeds up the process significantly. Ask your adjuster to provide the contact information for direct billing.

Ask for a complete list of documentation required for your claim — photos, moisture readings, estimates, receipts for emergency purchases, list of damaged contents, etc. Allied Restoration provides all technical documentation related to the mitigation work.

Some carriers have preferred vendor lists. Ask about this, but also know that in California you have the right to choose your own licensed restoration contractor. Allied Restoration works with all carriers regardless of preferred vendor status.

Structure (Coverage A) covers the building itself — walls, floors, cabinets, built-ins. Contents (Coverage C) covers your personal property — furniture, clothing, electronics. Understanding the distinction helps you document losses in the right category.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays for the depreciated value of damaged items. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays what it actually costs to replace them. RCV policies typically pay more. Know which you have — it significantly affects your settlement.

Ask when an adjuster will inspect, when you can expect an initial estimate, and what the typical timeline is from first notice to settlement. Keep all communications in writing and follow up by email to create a paper trail.