Frequently Asked Questions

RestorationCompanion (Restoration Companion) is a free platform that helps homeowners, contractors, and adjusters track and manage property damage insurance claims from start to finish. We provide step-by-step claim tracking, water damage calculators, scope tools, educational guides, and a professional network — all in one place.

Yes. Core tools including claim tracking, the water mitigation calculator, dry logs, and educational resources are free. Premium features for professionals (contractors, adjusters, carriers) are in development. No credit card is required to get started.

You can access most educational content and tools without an account. Creating a free account lets you save your claim progress, access your dashboard, and use the full claim journey tracker across sessions and devices.

No. We are an independent platform and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or employed by any insurance carrier, adjuster firm, or government agency. Our goal is to help property owners navigate claims as informed, empowered participants.

File as soon as reasonably possible after a loss event. Most policies require prompt notice — delays can give the insurer grounds to dispute coverage. Notify your insurer within 24–72 hours of discovering damage, even if you haven't fully assessed the extent yet.

You'll need: photos and videos of all damage (taken before cleanup), a written inventory of damaged items with estimated values, your policy number and declarations page, any police or fire incident reports, and receipts for emergency mitigation costs. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim.

Mitigation means taking reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after a loss — extracting water, tarping a roof, boarding up windows. Most policies require it. Keep all receipts for mitigation expenses; insurers are typically required to reimburse reasonable emergency costs.

Yes. You are not required to accept the first offer. If the settlement seems low, get independent contractor estimates, identify missing line items, and submit a supplement with supporting documentation. If negotiations stall, you can invoke the appraisal clause in your policy or hire a public adjuster.

If you have replacement cost value (RCV) coverage, your insurer typically pays actual cash value (ACV) first — which subtracts depreciation. Once repairs are completed, you can claim the 'held back' depreciation amount. This is called recoverable depreciation, and many homeowners miss it by not following up after repairs.

It depends on the cause. Sudden, accidental water damage (burst pipe, appliance overflow, roof leak from a storm) is typically covered. Gradual leaks, flooding from outside, and maintenance neglect are generally excluded. Flood damage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy.

Structural drying typically takes 3–5 days, though heavily saturated materials can take longer. Full restoration (demolition + reconstruction) can take 2–8 weeks depending on the scope. Use our Water Mitigation Calculator to estimate drying timelines and equipment needs based on your job's specifics.

Mold can begin growing within 24–72 hours of a water event under the right conditions. This is why rapid water extraction and structural drying are critical. If drying is delayed or incomplete, mold remediation may be needed before reconstruction can begin.

Yes. Contractors can use our scope tool, water calculation tools, dry log tracking, and QR Connect feature to share documentation with clients and adjusters. We also have a professional directory and storefront listings for restoration companies. Visit /for-adjusters or /join-network to get listed.

Our professional network connects licensed contractors, public adjusters, restoration companies, and other service providers with homeowners navigating property damage claims. Professionals can create a profile, list services, and receive referrals. Network enrollment is currently in early access.

Yes. The CRM and organization tools (currently in development) are designed for restoration companies and adjusters managing multiple active claims. These features allow team collaboration, shared dashboards, and centralized document management.

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We welcome it. Send suggestions to admin@RestorationCompanion.com. If you're an industry professional with expertise in claims, restoration, or insurance law, we're especially interested in content partnerships and contributions.

No. RestorationCompanion provides general educational information only. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice, insurance advice, or a professional consultation. For advice specific to your claim or policy, consult a licensed public adjuster, insurance attorney, or your insurance agent.