Restore-it Restoration and Cleaning offers content cleaning and restoration services that El Dorado residents can trust. A fire damage disaster, catastrophic water damage, or storm damage disaster can affect most or all the contents of a home or business. Fire damage may be minimal, but the smoke and soot damage may impact every surface, including walls, ceilings, countertops, flooring, appliances, furniture, upholstery, electronics, artwork, books, personal documents, and clothing. The HVAC system and ductwork may need extensive cleaning, restoration, or replacement.
Homeowners often operate on inaccurate assumptions that can be financially devastating if acted upon. A widely held misconception is that water or fire-damaged contents cannot be restored but must be replaced. Some homeowners think replacement is the first option and assume that replacement is automatic. In contrast, homeowners believe they have the option to cash out without input from the insurance carrier. When a homeowner takes action without first consulting the policy and the agent, a financial disaster may occur. Premature action on the part of the homeowner can result in higher claim costs, negative customer service complaints, and possible loss of customers.
Misconception #1: It is preferable to purchase new items than to restore the original contents.
Some homeowners are willing and eager to spend the time and effort to search out replacement items for what was lost or damaged in a property damage disaster. However, a shopping trip of that magnitude requires time, and the chore of finding a replacement for every piece of clothing and furniture can be daunting.
Also, some items cannot truly be replaced. Insurance industry experts at Claims Journal explain: “Soft contents tend to hold more sentimental value than any other content category because they are often seasonal, purchased for a special occasion, gifted, or hold a special meaning. A homeowner may have an outfit worn to a daughter’s wedding or other memorable events, a flag symbolizing military service, or a quilt that grandma hand-stitched. These sentimental items are often irreplaceable.”
These items may be original, unique, rare, and irreplaceable because of what they are and the intrinsic and economic value they hold. In these cases, restoration is well worth the effort.
Misconception #2: Attempts to restore an item are not necessary for a replacement to be approved.
The replacement does not depend on a determination from the policyholder; instead, efforts to restore the item must come first. Restoration may be waived under two circumstances:
- The contents have sustained structural damage.
- A restoration professional has determined that the contents cannot be salvaged.
Cost savings are a benefit to the homeowner. The typical homeowner, and some carriers, are unaware that there is no charge if the efforts to clean an item fail. The homeowner is not at risk if restoration is unsuccessful or incomplete.
The homeowner has much to gain when cleanup and restoration are successful. Restoration costs are consistently less expensive than replacement costs and usually total about 15 to 25 percent of an item’s value.
Regrettably, many homeowners are underinsured with regard to content coverage. They may have failed to increase the limits of the coverage, or they may have decided to settle for less coverage to reduce monthly policy payments. Everything is fine until a loss occurs. At that point, the policy limitations can be devastating. Since restoration is much less expensive than replacement, some of the difference can be recouped by choosing to restore the damaged items.
Misconception #3: It is a good idea to cash out a content claim rather than wait on restoration.
Sometimes a homeowner may decide to accept a cash settlement from the carrier instead of waiting for the restoration to be completed. This cash-out of the claim does not enable a homeowner to cover the replacement costs of the damaged items. In too many cases, the homeowner underestimates the replacement cost, making the cash settlement look enticing. Unfortunately, the insufficient cash-out amount may only become apparent when the home’s contents need to be replaced but the money has run out. The resulting frustration is often vented on by the insurance carrier or the insurance agent.
The homeowner can avoid the traps associated with these misconceptions by taking the following steps:
- Accurately estimate the full replacement cost of the damaged items.
- Wait on the insurance company to evaluate the extent of the contents damage and present its breakdown of what items the company will seek to restore and what items will be immediately replaced.
- Obtain a guaranteed cash-out amount from the insurance carrier.
- Evaluate and compare each option.
- Choose the one that best meets the needs of the situation.
The Restore-it Restoration and Cleaning team is certified, skilled, and experienced in content cleaning. Utilizing industry-standard equipment, techniques, and cleaning products, the content cleaning and damage restoration specialists can restore most items to their original, pre-damage condition, saving potentially thousands of dollars for the customer or insurance company. Fast, thorough, and professional, Restore-it Restoration and Cleaning is a top choice for content cleaning services in El Dorado, AR.
