The specific event that created the damage, such as a storm, leak, fire, or burst pipe. Correct identification protects you from unnecessary denials.

An itemized breakdown of the total claim value including materials, labor, mitigation, reconstruction, contents, and textile. It provides a clear overview of what the insurance company is paying for and why.

Authorization to Communicate with the Insurance Carrier and to perform the repairs as agreed with the carrier.

A Direction of Pay allows the homeowner to authorize the insurance carrier to issue payment directly to the contractor for the repairs being completed. It helps streamline the payment process and reduces delays, but it does not change who controls the claim or who makes the decisions. The homeowner stays fully in charge.

The detailed outline, also known as estimate, that explains exactly what needs to be repaired or replaced in your home.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification is an organization that creates recognized standards for evaluating water damage, fire impact, structural conditions, and material performance. These standards guide how professionals assess damage and document conditions so information is clear, consistent, and reliable during the claim and repair process.

Overhead and Profit (O&P) represent the true cost of having a professional company take responsibility for the work, protect you as the homeowner, and keep the project on track.

A third party service that analyzes samples of materials such as flooring, siding, or roofing to identify the exact prodcut and its market value. This protects you and ensures the LKQ of the replacement.

Repairs must use materials that match the original in appearance and performance. This protects you from cheap or mismatched replacements.

These are industry programs used to create insurance estimates. They set the pricing and standards that most carriers follow.

The amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance company contributes to the loss.

The amount your insurance company removes from the payout due to the age or condition of materials.

The portion of depreciation you can receive back once repairs are completed and when the Certificate of Completion is received by your insurance company. Nonrecoverable Depreciation is not payable.

Replacement Cost Value is the full cost to restore your property to its original condition using materials of like kind and quality.

Actual Cash Value is the depreciated value of the damages. It is often the first payment an insurance company issues to help ‘get things started’.

When your home is financed, your lender shares a financial interest in the property. Because of that, insurance checks for structural damage are usually made out to both you and the mortgage company. Before the funds can be used for repairs, the lender must review the loss documents and endorse the check. This approval protects their investment, but it can also slow the process if details are unclear. With a well supported estimate and proper documentation, the endorsement moves faster and your project stays on track.

An additional estimate submitted when hidden damages or missed items are discovered. This helps ensure you receive everything required for a complete restoration.

The initial phase of restoration process that prevents further damage. This may include drying, tarping, water extraction, or securing areas of your home.

The controlled removal of hazardous materials such as asbestos, mold, or lead based paint. This work requires licensed professionals and must be completed before reconstruction can continue.

The phase that comes after Mitigation. This is where your home is repaired or rebuilt to its pre-loss condition.

Your personal belongings like furniture, electronics, and household items. These are evaluated separately from the other categories aforementioned.

Soft goods such as clothing, bedding, curtains, and fabric based items. Textiles are often cleaned, restored, stored, or replaced separately from other contents.