Restoration VS Replacement

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

Who should be First on the Job?

To reduce claims costs in a fire or water damage situation, timely response is crucial. In most cases, the first person who makes contact with the customer be a restoration vendor rather than a contractor. A restoration vendor’s focus is restoration and a contractor’s focus is replacement. Most contractors do not have the expertise or training to determine if a surface can be restored to preloss condition. Since they can not make this determination, contractors may recommend replacement. Once an insured hears replacement, they are often not receptive to restoration.

SERVPRO of South Orange County Professionals will demonstrate to the insured the restorability of an item. Our technicians never commit the insurance company to replacement. Even if it is obvious during pretesting that an item cannot be cleaned or restored, SERVPRO of South Orange County technicians will not imply the insurance company is responsible for replacement. We cannot interpret the policy. Adjusters adjust, SERVPRO of South Orange County cleans and restores. If it is determined that an item cannot be cleaned or restores, the adjuster will be contacted so that he/she can make a determination as to what the policy will allow.

By responding to claims quickly and professionally, SERVPRO of South Orange County professionals can save insurance companies money that may have been spent on replacement.