Restoring Your Sacramento Commercial Property After A Fire or Water Damage Event

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Technicians in PPE

At SERVPRO of North Sacramento, we understand storms and inclement weather can bring wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding that can devastate any business in a matter of minutes.  Disasters don’t just strike during regular business hours which is why SERVPRO of North Sacramento offers 24-hour emergency service 365 days per year with highly skilled disaster professionals.

Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity.  When an emergency situation arises in your business, call SERVPRO of North Sacramento.  Our technicians are trained and know what to do in any unpredictable disaster which is critical in mitigating any further loss or damage to your property and your contents.  We are faster to any size disaster!

As a business owner, if you've never experienced a disaster, here are some tips to help you move forward and take control of your loss.  If you don't take control, the insurance company will and that could cost you thousands!

Step I – Locate Your Insurance Policies

• It is very important that you carefully read your insurance policy and know your coverages.  Obtain a COMPLETE COPY of your current policy not just the "Declarations Page".  Read the fine print and understand the coverages you have and how much you are entitled to by coverage.
• If your policies are lost/destroyed, contact your agent/broker or insurer.
• If you can’t remember who the agent or insurer is, look at bank/payment records.  Your mortgage company may also have records.

Step II – Contact Your Insurer

• Contact your broker or agent immediately and let them know about your loss.  If you don’t have a broker or agent, contact your insurer directly to file a claim.
• Ask your insurer for an advance to cover immediate expenses, such as the cost to board up/fence and/or dry out your business property to prevent vandalism, additional destruction, and removal of debris.   You have a duty to mitigate any further damage after a loss.  If you operate your business in a rental property, you should still seek an advance for costs necessary to protect your business's personal property and inventory.
• If your insurance provides coverage for loss of business income, you may also be entitled to the costs you incur to avoid or minimize the suspension of your operations. 

Step III – Documenting Your Loss

Make notes and lists as you remember the property that was lost. 

• Don’t worry about trying to value all items at this stage.  Final valuations will be worked out later.  It is likely that your property loss will be resolved sooner than your business income loss, which will vary depending on the length of the suspension.  You may need to involve your accountant to help document the loss.
• Keep receipts for everything you buy and what you spend on repair/replacement of property/inventory and business continuity expenses.
• Keep track of how much the insurance company gives you and what it’s for.
• DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.  Create a folder or binder with expenditures due to the fire, repair estimates, claim reports, and all communications with and submissions to your insurance company.
• Cooperate with all reasonable requests from your insurance company, allow them to fully inspect, and keep them informed. Clear and frequent communications and a diary will help with disputes.

SERVPRO of North Sacramento has the training, experience, and equipment to manage commercial fire, water, mold and flooding damage. We will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion... "Like it never even happened."