Presented by M Fitts Construction Co. Inland Empire’s Trusted Reconstruction Specialists

Call us at (951) 534-5051

This guide is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Consult your policy and professionals as needed.

Don't Let Damage Overwhelm You – We're Here to Help

Has water or fire damage turned your world upside down? You're not alone. In the Inland Empire, these disasters strike without warning, leaving homeowners stressed and confused about insurance claims.

At M Fitts Construction Co., we understand the chaos. As your local specialists in reconstruction, we're dedicated to guiding you through every step, ensuring you get the fair payout you deserve and a beautifully restored property.

In a system where many homeowners are underinsured and claims are often undervalued, partnering with a specialized contractor like M Fitts Construction Co can bridge the advocacy gap. We work with you, your insurer, and trusted partners to make the process seamless. Let's turn this challenge into a fresh start.

First Things First: Understanding the Damage

Before diving into claims, let's break down what you're dealing with. Knowledge is power – understanding water and fire damage helps you spot issues early and make smart decisions.

Common Causes Right Here in the Inland Empire

• Water Damage: Burst pipes, leaking appliances, flash floods, and heavy rains, common in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

• Fire Damage: Wildfires, frequent in Southern California, electrical faults, and kitchen accidents.

Mitigation vs. Reconstruction: What's the Difference?

• Mitigation: Emergency actions to stop damage (e.g., water extraction, smoke cleanup), handled by restoration companies with specialized equipment.

• Reconstruction: Rebuilding your property (e.g., repairing walls, replacing flooring), requiring skilled tradesmen and general contractor expertise like M Fitts Construction Co.

We also help identify hidden damages, such as mold from water or structural weaknesses from fire, that adjusters might miss.

The Step-by-Step Path to Recovery

After mitigation, reconstruction begins. Here's how we guide you to a successful claim:

1. Report the Damage (Within 24 Hours): Contact your insurer promptly. Then, reach out to us for a free consultation—we'll document with photos and prepare a detailed estimate.

2. File Your Claim: Submit with our comprehensive docs to strengthen your case.

3. Review the Estimate: We'll ensure all repairs are included and fairly compensated.

4. Negotiate the Payout: We counter low estimates to secure 10–20% higher payouts.

5. Rebuild with M Fitts: Our team uses premium materials for code-compliant results.

We act as your advocate, often boosting payouts by spotting overlooked issues.

Know Your Rights – You're in Control

As a California homeowner, you have protections to ensure fair treatment:

• Right to Choose Your Contractor: Insurers can't mandate theirs—you can select independents like us.

• Insurer Recommendations: They can suggest, but you decide, and they must restore to pre-loss condition.

• Estimate Disputes: If ours is higher, they adjust or pay the difference. We only charge what the insurance covers.

• No Misleading: They can't push you into believing their choice is required.

With M Fitts Construction Co, we uphold your rights for quality work.

Dodge the Common Traps That Cost You Big

Many claims fail due to pitfalls—here's how to avoid them:

• Document Thoroughly: Photos/videos of all areas post-mitigation.

• Vet Contractors: Prioritize hiring licensed contractors with proven experience in insurance claim work—verify their California contractor's license through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to ensure they're qualified, bonded, and insured against risks like worker injuries or poor workmanship. Ask about their track record with water/fire damage claims, including familiarity with adjusters, Xactimate estimates, and maximizing payouts.

• Review Estimates: Let us check for misses.

• Monitor Progress: Weekly updates.

• Beware TPAs and Managed Repair Networks: Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) are outside companies hired by your insurer to handle claims processing, approvals, and payments. While they streamline things for the insurer, their main goal is often to cut costs and maximize profits, which can mean denying or reducing necessary repairs, delaying approvals, or pushing for cheaper fixes that might not fully restore your home. Managed repair networks (also called preferred contractor programs) are lists of "approved" contractors the insurer encourages you to use, sometimes with incentives like lower deductibles. However, these contractors often have to follow strict insurer rules, leading to corner-cutting, incomplete work, or conflicts where the insurer's savings come before your home's quality. Additionally, watch for "Our Option" provisions in your policy, where the insurer can choose to repair your property themselves (via their network) instead of paying you cash, severely limiting your choices and control. To avoid these traps and ensure your interests come first, go with independent specialists like M Fitts—we're not tied to insurer agendas and focus on delivering the best results for you.

Why "All-in-One" Might Not Be "All That Great"

Convenience sounds appealing, but many all-in-one firms (strong in mitigation) struggle with reconstruction. They assign a project manager to oversee, but often outsource to external GCs or subcontractors, leading to issues.

The Hidden Downsides

• Profit Splits Reduce Quality: They take 40–50% of the claim (including materials), leaving 50–60% for subs/GCs, forcing rushed, low-quality work.

• High Turnover: Project managers switch often, causing delays and errors.

• Mitigation Focus: Rebuilds are secondary, treated as less important.

Exception: In-house rebuild teams can work better, but many use project managers hiring subs/GCs.

They may join insurer networks, prioritizing profits over your home.

Our Edge at M Fitts

We specialize in reconstruction:

• Fair Pay: No splits—generous pay attracts top subs.

• Premium Materials: Durable, code-compliant.

• Single Contact: Trusted communication.

• Referral Ecosystem: Partner with mitigation pros for seamless specialists.

As industry shifts to specialization, we lead in superior rebuilds.

Navigating Insurer Tricks and Programs

Insurers recommend but can't require contractors. Watch networks (cost over quality) and managed repairs (TPAs skimp). Opt for independents like us; check policies for endorsements. Trends increase networks, but specialists protect you.

Maximize Your Payout – Get What You Deserve

We help counter low estimates:

• Detailed Scopes: Itemized to challenge undervalues.

• Supplements: For overlooked repairs, boosting 10–20%.

• Collaboration: Efficient communication.

• Challenge Prices: Xactimate as guideline, argue real costs.

• Networks: Weigh incentives vs. quality.

We've secured more for clients by identifying misses.

Answers to Your Burning Questions

• How long? 4–12 weeks, depending on scope.

• Covered? Review policy—typically structures/contents.

• Avoid all-in-one? Their cuts lead to poor work.

• Force contractor? No—your choice.

• Low estimate? Challenge with data.

• Join network? Weigh pros/cons.

• TPAs? Profit-focused—be wary.

Key Terms Made Simple

• Mitigation: Stop damage (e.g., extraction).

• Xactimate/Symbility: Insurance pricing software.

• Scope of Work: Repair plan.

• Managed Repair: Insurer-controlled.

• TPA: Cost-cutting intermediary.

• Our Option: Insurer repairs directly.

Your Easy Checklist for Success

• Document Damage: Photos/videos (multi-angles).

• Report Promptly: Insurer within 24 hours.

• Schedule Consultation: Free at www.mfittsconstruction.com.

• File Claim: With our scope/photos.

• Review Estimate: Ensure fair.

• Negotiate: Supplements for misses.

• Check Policy: For managed repair—assert rights.

• Hire Us: For quality.

• Track Progress: Weekly updates.

• Handle TPAs: Consult us.

Ready to Rebuild? Let's Get Started Today

Don't let damage overwhelm you. M Fitts offers specialized expertise all-in-one firms can't match, protecting from pitfalls for a high-quality rebuild.

Book a free consultation today!

Visit www.mfittsconstruction.com or call (951) 534-5051