Real Customer Service Rep
Serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and the Santa Rosa Area
Real Customer Service Rep
Serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and the Santa Rosa Area
Protect people first. Then document the loss and take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage when it is safe.
Follow evacuation orders. Do not enter a structure with fire, electrical, gas, structural, sewage, chemical, or mold hazards until the appropriate authority says it is safe.
Report the loss promptly. Ask what the policy requires, whether an inspection is planned, what emergency work is authorized, and how to submit documents.
Photograph and video every affected area, damaged contents, and serial numbers. Keep a written timeline and copies of every communication.
Emergency extraction, board-up, tarping, and drying may be needed. Preserve samples when practical and keep all mitigation receipts.
Important Balance: Do not delay work needed to protect health or prevent additional damage. When safety permits, give the insurer a reasonable opportunity to inspect before permanent repairs or disposal; photograph and record anything that must be removed first.
Before Hiring:
A home-improvement down payment generally may not exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. Later payments cannot exceed the value of work performed or materials delivered.
CSLB advises that rebuilding after a declared disaster is a home-improvement project and must use a fixed-price contract. Not a time-and-materials or cost-plus arrangement.
Cancellation Rights
Most qualifying home-solicitation/home-improvement contracts include a 3-business-day cancellation right. California provides 5 business days when the buyer is age 65 or older and 7 business days for covered repair or restoration contracts arising from a declared emergency. Follow the written cancellation notice supplied with the contract.
The written contract should include:
Works for the insurer. The policyholder is not separately charged for the company adjuster's claim service.
Licensed by CDI and hired by the policyholder. Verify the license and understand the fee, services, and cancellation rights.
Represents the client under a written fee agreement. Verify California license and discipline history with the State Bar.
Keep the Insurance Claim Moving
Public-Adjuster Protection: For a declared catastrophic disaster, California law limits certain public-adjuster compensation to 10% of the settlement for one year after the loss declaration, subject to statutory details and exceptions.
Pause When the Pressure Rises
After a declared emergency, Penal Code section 396 generally restricts increases above 10% for specified goods and services unless increased costs can be proved. Coverage periods vary.
Contractor Activity: CSLB. Insurance or public-adjuster issues: CDI. Price gouging: local district attorney or Attorney General. Immediate threats: law enforcement.
Official resources worth keeping:
800-927-4357 • Claims, licenses, public adjusters, complaints and fraud.
800-321-2752 • Disaster Hotline: 800-962-1125 • License checks and complaints.
800-843-9053 • Attorney license, discipline history and complaints.
Price-gouging information and consumer complaint resources.
Wildfire preparedness, incident information and recovery resources.
Additional CDI Tools:
Important: General educational information only – not legal, insurance-coverage, engineering, environmental, or tax advice. Conditions, policies, emergency orders, and laws vary. Confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a qualified professonal.
Protect people, document the loss, prevent additional damage, verify credentials, and keep major decisions in writing. Fire & Water Damage Recovery focuses on mitigation and cleanup – not reconstruction – so our goal is to stabilize the property with as little disruption as conditions allow.
F&WDR is a family-owned and operated local company with four locations to insure a quicker response and better service to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Santa Rosa.
