Your First Steps After a Disaster
6/8/2018 (Permalink)
It can be difficult to find your bearings after a disaster. We know there are a lot of questions running through your mind after disaster strikes; we’ve found the first question is usually: “What now?”
The most important step before continuing is to ensure your house is safe for reentry. Fire, water, and mold damage can all make your house inhabitable in the short-term. Contaminants in the air or structural damage can cause serious health risks if not addressed immediately.
If the house is safe to reenter you might think the next step is to begin cleaning. We recommend documenting—using a camera or cell phone—the damage done to your home first. Photographic evidence of the damage done to your home and possessions will help when filing your insurance claims.
If your house is unsafe to enter or you lost your camera in the disaster, the next step is to call a professional at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan. Our staff will be able to help document the damage if you are unable and give you an honest assessment of the damage done to your home.
After the assessment, the serviceperson at SERVPRO of Central Manhattan will be able to advise you of the next step. Depending on the cost of repairs, possible increases in deductibles, raises in monthly premiums, or threats of cancellation, it could mean it would actually be more beneficial to not go through your insurer. If you are going through an insurer it is important to note that insurance companies often have agreements in place with companies they call “preferred vendors”. They might try to lean you towards one of their preferred partners, but you should know that you always have the right to go with a company you already know and trust!
It can always be difficult to return to normality after a disaster; we hope you find comfort in knowing that SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is here to help make it easier. Turn a bad situation into a positive one by improving your home during the rebuilding process. We can help you add that extra bathroom you’ve always needed, or that laundry room you’ve always craved. SERVPRO of Central Manhattan is ready to help you turn your house into a dream home and repair it like it never happened!