FAQ

If you actually have damage and your insurance carrier does not approve your claim, there are several options. Negotiations can be a long process, but if your home is damaged, we can help.

It depends. The longest part of the process is rarely the actual restoration; the insurance approval process takes the longest. Once we have your insurance company’s approval, it can take as few as five days from start to finish, though it really depends on the scope of damage.

No problem – we appreciate loyalty. Just let us know who the contractor is, and once we confirm they are properly licensed, we will gladly get them on the job!

Having your mortgage company on the check is very normal.

With SMART restoration you will have a project manager assigned to your claim that will be your contact through the entire process.  From the time the claim is filed until the all the work is complete, your project manager can answer any questions you may have.

Insurance companies use estimating software called Xactimate. This software provides the most current pricing for material and labor in your specific area. SMART project managers are trained to use the same Xactimate software to help expedite your claim. You may find contractors who provide a lower quote for your repairs, but their estimates will not be as detailed and they may be cutting corners.

No. Insurance companies created a system of checks and balances to make sure that you don’t. Besides the fact that it is against the law for you and your contractor, you will also need your contractor to write a phony final invoice that is different from their initial bid. Some people will see their insurance company is estimating $18,000 for repairs and feel by getting multiple quotes they will be able to pocket the difference. In reality, the insurance company requires that a final invoice be submitted in order to release any money initially withheld. If that final invoice is $15,500 instead of the approved estimate for $18,000, they will release a final payment equal to that final invoice. By finding a contractor who has a lower quote, you will be saving the insurance company $2,500. Also, in order to complete repairs at a lower cost, you may be hiring a contractor who uses substandard products or poor labor quality. The use of Xactimate estimating software lets you focus on choosing the contractor you feel most comfortable with, not the one who has the lowest pricing.