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Insurance claims help

Water and Fire Damage Insurance Claims: A Plain-English Guide

What to do, what to document and what to ask. We're a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster, so this is practical guidance, not legal advice.

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Last updated · Written by the Elite Restoration Services of Iowa team

How do I file a homeowners insurance claim for water or fire damage?

Make the property safe, stop the damage from spreading, and photograph everything. Then call your insurer or agent to open a claim and get a claim number. Keep receipts for emergency costs, get a written scope from your restoration company, and don't throw out damaged items until your adjuster says it's okay.

What records make a claim stronger?

Clear, dated facts. Adjusters decide claims on documentation, so the more organized it is, the fewer questions there are.

  • Photos and video of the damage before, during and after cleanup
  • The cause and date of the loss, like a burst pipe, storm or appliance failure
  • Daily moisture readings and drying logs for water losses
  • A written scope of work from your restoration company
  • An itemized inventory of damaged belongings
  • Receipts for emergency repairs and extra living expenses

Want someone to come look at it?

The on-site inspection is free, with no obligation, within our service area. Call any hour, or send a short request and our office will call you back.

Call 515-216-4293 Request a free inspection

Free, no-obligation inspection within our service area. Work is billed only if you approve it in a signed work authorization.

What can a restoration contractor do for my claim, and what can't it do?

We hand over photos, moisture logs and a scope of the work. We're a restoration contractor, not a public adjuster, so we can't represent you or negotiate or settle your claim.

Elite can

  • Inspect for free within our service area and explain what we see
  • Answer the phone any hour
  • Hand over photos, moisture logs and a scope of the work
  • Hand the file to whichever repair contractor you choose

Elite can't

  • Represent you with your insurance company
  • Negotiate, adjust or settle your claim
  • Tell you what your policy covers; only your insurer can

What questions should I ask my insurance company?

A few questions early on can prevent surprises later. Write down the answers and who gave them.

  • What's my claim number, and who's my adjuster?
  • Does my policy cover this cause of loss, and are there limits (for example, on mold or sewer backup)?
  • What's my deductible for this claim?
  • Do I have coverage for additional living expenses if I can't stay home?
  • What do you need from me, and by when?

Straight answers

Insurance claim questions people ask us

Don't see yours? Call 515-216-4293 any hour and ask.

Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?

If there's active damage, like water still spreading, it's reasonable to call both right away. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and mitigation is part of that. Keep records and receipts either way.

Will filing a claim raise my premium?

It can. That's a question for your insurance agent. Our free inspection can help you understand the extent of the damage before you decide.

Can Elite talk to my adjuster for me?

We can share our documentation and answer factual questions about the work. We're not a public adjuster, so we can't represent you or negotiate your claim; for that, you'd work with a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.

What if my adjuster and my contractor disagree on the scope?

Ask both to walk through the differences using the photos and moisture readings. Clear documentation usually narrows disagreements. If it doesn't, your policy explains your options.

Do I have to use Elite's repair partner?

No. You choose who does your repairs. We hand our photos, moisture logs and scope to any contractor you pick, and M&B Contractor Services is there as an easy option if you want it.

How does my deductible work?

Your deductible is part of your insurance contract with your insurer. Your agent can explain how it applies to your claim.

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC and M&B Contractor Services LLC have the same owners. If you need repairs or rebuilding after mitigation, M&B is one option, but you are never required to use M&B. You are free to choose any contractor, and your choice will not affect the mitigation services Elite provides. We share your information with M&B only with your permission.

Insurance and deductibles

Elite does not waive, rebate, absorb, or pay insurance deductibles, and we do not offer discounts, gifts, or anything else of value to offset your deductible. You are responsible for your deductible and for any costs your insurance does not cover. We are not an insurance company or public adjuster, we cannot promise your insurance will cover your loss, and we do not negotiate insurance claims on your behalf. If you ask us to, we can provide photos, moisture readings, estimates, and invoices to you or your insurance company.

About Elite Restoration Services of Iowa

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC is a locally owned, independent restoration company at 751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313, offering water, fire and smoke, mold, storm and sewage damage restoration. It has been fully operating since February 2026. Elite is an IICRC Certified Firm, BBB A+ accredited and Iowa registered contractor #C151765. Phone 515-216-4293, answered 24/7.

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  • 751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
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  • Your choice of repair contractor

Free on-site inspections within our service area in the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa; ask us about any limits when you call. The inspection is free with no obligation. Mitigation, lab testing, and repair work are billed only if you approve them in a signed work authorization.

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC and M&B Contractor Services LLC have the same owners. If you need repairs or rebuilding after mitigation, M&B is one option, but you are never required to use M&B. You are free to choose any contractor, and your choice will not affect the mitigation services Elite provides. We share your information with M&B only with your permission.

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