A property damage emergency almost always comes announced and it can strike any home. Your basement may flood overnight from a burst pipe or leak, and a fire can start suddenly in your home because of something minor like a frayed wire within your walls. In most cases, it strikes in a manner that leaves those impacted traumatized, shaken or feeling helpless, especially when the damage is widespread. But the impact and magnitude of an emergency largely depends on whether we act or simply react to the series of events that take place before during and after. So a good question to ask is – do you act or react when disaster strikes?
Learn to Act Rather than React
What do you do when in a tough predicament? Do you act or react? How capable are you to deal with the situation? When your home is damaged, you may be stuck wondering how you should proceed, with so many questions running through your head, including:- Who can help me fix this damage?
- Should I call my insurance company?
- Does my insurance cover this disaster?
- Do I need to take pictures?
- Will my insurance cover the cost to rebuild or repair the damage?
The difference between acting and reacting is awareness. Acting is a conscious decision whereas reacting is instinctive and done without forethought. Acting is guided less by emotion and more by logic. In our reactions, our emotions take a central role. Acting is independent of the context, reacting is totally dependent on the context.
If you react, you would be subjectively responding based on an impulse taken from an emotional interpretation of the situation. But if you act, then your response can be based more objectively on the issue, after reviewing the situation, analyzing the task and the risk involved. With the above in mind, an action would result in a rational plan, reason taken from education, experience and preparation. It’s always better to act rather than react, since an objective approach taken from thinking, analyzing and planning ensures the safest solution to most incidents.
What is your First Response?
Whether you are looking at fire, flooding, or structural damage from a storm, in each of these instances what is your first response? Make sure all home occupants are accounted for and exit the home if it is not safe to be inside. Call 911 for any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance.
Protect Your Property
Protecting life is always the first priority, quickly followed by protecting property. You have medical and life insurance to deal with any risk to life. You also have property insurance to secure your property. So for most people, the first response is always to reach out to their insurance company. However, here is some sound advice. Before you call in your insurance company, it can actually benefit you to call a restoration company. Why? Well, because the restoration company will not only respond immediately, but they can also provide you with an accurate assessment and estimate for the damage.
Furthermore, they can quickly swing into action and start the restoration process so the damage can be effectively contained and treated. This places you on a better standing with your insurance company because you were proactive about dealing with the damage and your numbers are backed by professional assessment.
Contact Your Insurance Company
While it is definitely prudent to make your first call to the restoration company, your next step should be to contact your insurance company or insurance agent. You have documented the damage and prepared an estimate and also started on the restoration work. And when claims are backed by professional assessment, the process proceeds in a timelier fashion with fewer delays.
Prevention is Better than Cure
- Ensure your insurance is up to date.
- Carry out regular maintenance of your property.
- Have an escape plan in place to avoid danger to life during a fire or flooding.
- Use technology such as alarms and or smart home monitoring systems that can be managed and monitored even when you are out of your home.
- Include a restoration company in your list of important numbers to call anytime disaster strikes.
- Carry out simple DIY damage control such as switching off the mains (water and electricity).
- Work closely with your restoration technicians and follow their advice to ensure the work happens quickly and also to prevent any damage in the future.
Your Reliable Restoration Company
Emergency restoration companies, like Xtreme Home Improvement, are available 24 hours a day to answer calls and dispatch trained technicians to the scene. Because we have been through countless disasters, we are known for our expertise in every phase of the restoration process. Our professionals are trusted to provide prompt, effective services to get your home back to its original condition. We take pride in offering full-service solutions for our customers. So, if you’re faced with a property damage emergency, take the thoughtful action and contact us. We’re ready!