Steps to handle
water damage claims.

Most Florida homeowners only deal with a water damage claim once or twice in a lifetime. The order in which you do things determines whether you get full coverage, partial coverage, or denied. Here's the exact step-by-step workflow our customers follow for the strongest possible outcome.

Step 1: Stop the source (Hour 0)

Shut off water at the main valve. Stop any active leak. Document the source before you fix it — photo and video evidence of what failed.

Step 2: Photo & video everything BEFORE moving items (Hour 0-1)

Take 30-50 photos of the affected area. Wide shots showing the whole room. Close-ups of damage. Photos of standing water levels. Photo before moving any item — once you move it, you can't prove where it was. Take video walking through the affected area. Save copies to cloud storage.

Step 3: Call a remediation company FIRST, then your carrier (Hour 1-2)

This is the step most homeowners get wrong. They call insurance first. Call (407) 616-1860 first. Here's why:

• We arrive within 2 hours and document the damage with insurance-grade equipment (moisture meters, thermal cameras, proper photo metadata)
• We identify the true scope BEFORE you talk to your carrier — preventing low initial offers
• Our written scope of work uses insurance-industry standard codes the carrier recognizes
• We handle direct communication with your adjuster, freeing you from back-and-forth

Then call your carrier with our documentation in hand. The conversation is much shorter and more accurate.

Step 4: Move items only after documentation

Once everything is photographed, you can move items to a dry area. Lift wet rugs. Open cabinet doors. Place towels on standing water. Don't throw anything away yet — your carrier may want to see damaged items before you dispose of them.

Step 5: Authorize emergency mitigation (Hour 2-24)

You don't need to wait for the carrier's approval to start emergency mitigation. Florida law and insurance policies require homeowners to mitigate further damage immediately. Failing to mitigate can REDUCE your coverage. Real Mold Remediation begins immediate water extraction, drying, and HEPA air filtration the same day.

Step 6: Carrier sends an adjuster (Day 1-7)

Most major Florida carriers send an adjuster within 1-7 days. Our team meets with the adjuster on your behalf — we walk them through the documented scope, show them the affected materials, and answer their technical questions. Most disputes resolve in this meeting.

Step 7: Adjuster issues the loss estimate (Week 1-2)

The adjuster's estimate is usually based on Xactimate (industry-standard pricing software). Compare line-by-line with our scope of work. If items are missing or pricing is low, we negotiate with the adjuster — often resulting in supplemental coverage approvals.

Step 8: Sign the contract & remediation begins (Week 1-2)

Once carrier approval is in hand, sign the contract for remediation work. Real Mold Remediation begins the IICRC 4-phase protocol immediately — typically completed in 3-7 days.

Step 9: Lab clearance & final documentation (Week 2-3)

After remediation, independent lab clearance verifies NO DETECTABLE MOLD. You receive the lab certificate, complete photo log, moisture mapping documentation, and the 1-year written warranty.

Step 10: Final claim payment (Week 3-4)

With completion documentation, the carrier issues final payment. We bill direct — you typically pay only your deductible.