Filing a Water or Fire Damage Insurance Claim in Kentucky: What to Do First

A restoration company that knows what adjusters expect saves you weeks. Here is what to do first, what should be documented, and where the line is between your contractor and your carrier.

What should you do first after water or fire damage?

1. Stop the damage. Shut off the water, and keep people away from the fire area. Most policies expect you to prevent further loss.
2. Call your carrier and open the claim. Get the claim number and the adjuster's name.
3. Photograph everything before it gets cleaned up. We will photograph it again, in more detail, when we arrive.
4. Do not throw anything away yet. Wet carpet, damaged furniture, and burned contents are evidence of the loss. We document them before they leave.

What does VetDry document?

• Photos of every affected room and material, before, during, and after.
• Moisture readings on the first visit, with an unaffected reference reading, and a daily drying log until the structure is dry.
• A record of every piece of equipment placed, where, and for how long.
• A list of materials removed and why, with photos of the cause where it can be found.
• A scope and estimate in the format adjusters work from.

Do I have to use the company my insurance recommends?

In general, the choice of contractor is yours. Your carrier may have preferred vendors, and you are typically free to hire who you trust.

What will VetDry not do?

We will not tell you what your policy covers, because we are not your carrier and guessing helps nobody. We will not pad a scope. What we will do is document the loss from the first visit and walk you through the adjuster's estimate in plain language.

Water, fire, or mold? A person answers. Call VetDry Restoration at 270-841-7193. Tell us what happened and where you are, and we will tell you what to do right now and give you a real arrival window.