Insurance Claim Rebuild Guide

Make sure everyone is safe, then photograph and video the damage before cleanup. Take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, such as shutting off water, tarping, or boarding up, and report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible. For water damage, a mitigation company handles extraction and drying. We recommend STAT Restoration, the mitigation partner we work with. Keep receipts and notes of every conversation with your insurer.

Temporary repairs that protect the property are generally expected, and many policies require them. Hold off on permanent repairs until you've talked with your insurance company, because the damage usually needs to be documented first. For water losses, reconstruction should also wait until the structure is confirmed dry. Every policy is different, so check with your insurer.

In most cases, no. Your insurer can recommend contractors, but you can generally choose the one you trust, unless your policy has a managed-repair endorsement. Whoever you hire, confirm they hold a current Montana construction contractor license, carry liability and workers' comp insurance, and give you a written contract. Avoid anyone pressuring you to sign on the spot.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) is the depreciated value of what was damaged. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is the cost to replace it with materials of like kind and quality. On replacement cost policies, insurers often pay ACV first and release the withheld "recoverable depreciation" after repairs are completed and documented. Ask your adjuster whether there's a deadline to claim it.

Your deductible is your share of a covered loss. The insurance company subtracts it from what it pays, and you pay that amount toward the repairs. It isn't an extra fee on top of the repair cost. Every policy is different, and some carry separate wind or hail deductibles, so check your declarations page.

If you have a mortgage, your lender usually has a financial interest in the property, so structural repair checks are often made out to both you and the lender. Contact your lender's insurance claims (loss draft) department to learn how they endorse checks. Some release funds in stages as work is completed and inspected, which can add time to a project.

Estimates can differ in scope, measurements, materials, and pricing. Insurance generally pays for covered damage using like kind and quality materials, not upgrades or wear and tear. Often the best next step is for the contractor and the adjuster to talk directly and work through the differences with documentation.

Early estimates are often written before walls are opened or flooring is pulled. When hidden damage, code requirements, or updated costs come to light, the contractor documents the additional work with photos, measurements, and line items and submits a supplement for the insurance company to review. A supplement is a normal part of many claims.

Start with the written explanation, which should cite the policy language behind each decision. You can ask your adjuster questions and send more documentation, such as photos, measurements, moisture readings, or a contractor's estimate. If you still disagree, your policy may have an appraisal process, and the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance consumer line (800-332-6148) can answer questions about how a claim is being handled.

It depends on the size of the loss. As a general guide, small losses often take 1–3 months, medium 3–6, large 6–12, and major losses 12–24+ months. Insurance approvals, mortgage processing, permits, material lead times, and trade scheduling all affect the schedule. In Northwest Montana, shipping times and seasonal demand can add time.