The questions we're
asked most often.

Central Florida Disaster Recovery responds 24/7, 365 days a year. When you call 321-420-7274, Ryan — the owner — answers directly and matches you with a vetted local pro. A matched pro is typically on-site within 60 minutes anywhere in the greater Orlando area.

Network pros handle all categories of water damage: pipe bursts, appliance leaks, roof leaks, storm flooding, sewage backups, AC condensate overflow, and more. Whether it's a slow leak behind the wall or a sudden flood, your matched pro extracts, dries, and restores.

Most residential water damage drying takes 3–5 days with professional equipment. Network pros use industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture meters to monitor progress daily. Larger losses or structural saturation can take 5–7 days.

In many cases, yes — especially if only one area is affected. If the damage involves sewage, extensive mold, or structural compromise, temporary relocation may be necessary. Your matched pro will give you an honest assessment on Day 1 and can help coordinate with your insurance for additional living expenses (ALE) coverage.

It depends on the flooring type and saturation level. Hardwood that has warped or buckled often needs replacement, while tile may be salvageable. Network pros use moisture meters to test the subfloor — if moisture readings are elevated, flooring removal is necessary to prevent mold growth and structural damage.

Secondary damage occurs when water is not fully extracted and dried within 24–48 hours. This leads to mold growth, structural rot, warped flooring, and deteriorating drywall. That's why fast response is critical — call CFDR at 321-420-7274 the moment you discover water damage.

The most important step is getting professional drying equipment in place within 24 hours. Turn off the water source, remove standing water if safe to do so, and keep air conditioning running. Do not place fans without professional guidance — improper airflow can spread contamination to unaffected areas.

In most cases, yes. Unless structural integrity is fully compromised, experienced restoration contractors can save significantly more than homeowners expect. Your matched pro performs a thorough structural assessment and provides an honest evaluation. The network's goal is always to restore rather than replace wherever safely possible.

Restoration involves emergency board-up and tarping, soot and char removal, structural drying (fires generate significant water from suppression efforts), smoke odor treatment using thermal fogging and ozone, surface cleaning, and full reconstruction of affected areas. Your matched pro handles every phase under one contract.

Timeline depends heavily on the extent of the fire. A kitchen fire with limited spread may take 3–6 weeks. A significant house fire affecting multiple rooms can take 3–6 months for full reconstruction. Your matched pro provides a detailed project timeline with milestones after the initial assessment.

Smoke odor penetrates porous materials — drywall, insulation, wood framing, fabrics, and HVAC ductwork. Network pros use a combination of thermal fogging, ozone treatment, hydroxyl generators, and in severe cases, full replacement of smoke-saturated materials. Painting over smoke odor without proper treatment will not work long-term.

Network pros inventory and document all contents affected by fire, smoke, and suppression water. Salvageable items are professionally cleaned using ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment, and specialized laundering. Items that cannot be restored are documented for your insurance claim. Call 321-420-7274 to discuss contents pack-out services.

After you report the claim to your insurer, an adjuster is assigned to assess the damage. Your matched pro prepares a detailed Xactimate estimate using industry-standard pricing, meets with your adjuster on-site, and negotiates the scope of work to ensure nothing is overlooked. Ryan and your pro guide you through every step so you're not navigating the process alone.

Rate impacts vary by insurer, your claims history, and the nature of the loss. In Florida, insurers are regulated in how they can use claims history for rating. Many homeowners with legitimate losses see minimal or no rate impact, especially for weather-related events. We recommend speaking with your agent about your specific policy.

Not necessarily. Network pros advocate strongly for clients during the insurance process and prepare professional Xactimate documentation that supports your claim. A public adjuster can be valuable for very large or complex claims, but for most residential losses, working closely with a knowledgeable restoration contractor is sufficient.

Denials can often be appealed. First, request the denial in writing and understand the specific reason. Your matched pro can provide additional documentation, engineering reports, or third-party assessments that support your appeal. For wrongful denials, a licensed public adjuster or policyholder attorney may also be helpful options.

Xactimate is the industry-standard estimating software used by virtually all major insurance carriers and their adjusters. Every pro in our network prepares estimates using Xactimate, which means the line-item pricing matches what your insurer expects, reducing disputes and speeding up claim approval. It also ensures nothing is accidentally omitted from your scope.

Yes — your deductible is your contractual obligation to your insurer and is required to be paid. Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive your deductible; this is considered insurance fraud in Florida and can jeopardize your entire claim. Our network only includes pros who operate with full transparency and integrity on every job.

Mold coverage depends entirely on the cause. If mold resulted from a covered water loss — such as a sudden pipe burst or storm-related water intrusion — most Florida HO-3 policies cover remediation, though many cap mold coverage at $10,000–$25,000. Mold from gradual moisture, chronic humidity, or a slow unaddressed leak is typically excluded as a maintenance issue. The licensed mold remediator who documents the moisture source is writing the evidence your adjuster needs to approve the claim. CFDR's Florida Mold Remediator License is MRSR5370.

Standard homeowners insurance policies in Florida do NOT cover sewage backup by default. Sewer and drain backup coverage must be added as a separate endorsement (rider), typically for $50–$150 per year. Without this rider, a sewage backup requiring Category 3 biohazard cleanup — which can cost $5,000–$30,000 — is not covered. Check your policy declarations page for a 'water backup' or 'sewer backup' endorsement before you need it.

Standard homeowners insurance covers water damage from internal sources (burst pipes, appliance failures, storm-caused roof leaks) but explicitly excludes flooding from external sources — storm surge, rising rivers, overflowing lakes, and overland water flow. Flood insurance through NFIP or private flood carriers covers those external events. In Florida, this distinction is critical because hurricanes often cause both covered wind/rain damage AND excluded storm surge. Having both policies is the only way to be fully protected.

Florida homeowners policies have two deductibles. The standard all-perils deductible (typically $500–$2,500) applies to most losses — burst pipes, fire, non-hurricane storms. The hurricane deductible is a percentage of your insured home value (typically 2%–5%) and applies only to named hurricanes. On a $400,000 home with a 2% hurricane deductible, you pay the first $8,000 out of pocket. The hurricane deductible applies only to storms officially named by the National Hurricane Center.

ALE pays for temporary housing, meals, and increased living costs when your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss. Most Florida HO-3 policies include ALE up to 20–30% of the dwelling coverage limit. To claim it: your restoration contractor documents uninhabitability (moisture levels, structural damage, biohazard), you keep all hotel and meal receipts, and submit them with your claim. ALE continues through the repair period. Your matched pro documents uninhabitability from Day 1 to support this coverage.

You have the legal right to choose your own contractor in Florida. Your insurer may suggest contractors from their preferred vendor network, but you are not required to use them. Insurer-preferred vendors are paid by the insurance company and may have incentives to minimize scope. An independently selected contractor works for you, documents all damage thoroughly, and prepares Xactimate estimates that maximize your rightful claim. CFDR's network pros work exclusively for the homeowner.

Under Florida Statute 627.70131, insurers must begin investigation within 10 days of proof of loss. Field adjusters are typically dispatched within 5–10 business days for standard losses. After major hurricanes, adjuster backlogs can stretch to 3–6 weeks. This is why Day 1 documentation by your restoration pro matters — by the time the adjuster arrives, you have a complete moisture map, photo record, and Xactimate estimate already compiled.

A gap between the adjuster's estimate and your contractor's is common and not final. Your restoration contractor reviews the adjuster's line items and submits a supplement identifying omitted or underpriced scope items. Both estimates use Xactimate, so the comparison is line by line. Most gaps close through supplementing. If the insurer won't move, Florida policies include an appraisal clause — each party selects an independent appraiser, and a neutral umpire resolves the difference in a binding award.

On an RCV policy, insurers pay in two stages. First they release the ACV (Actual Cash Value) — replacement cost minus depreciation. The depreciation holdback is released as a second payment once repairs are completed and you submit proof. To recover it: complete repairs using a licensed contractor, collect final invoices, and submit them as a 'recoverable depreciation' claim. Your matched pro tracks this process and ensures you file for every dollar of depreciation you're owed.

A proof of loss is a sworn statement you submit to your insurer detailing the amount of your loss, the date, the cause, and damaged property. Florida policies typically require it within 60 days of the insurer's request — missing the deadline can give the insurer grounds to deny. Your restoration contractor's Xactimate estimate forms the basis of the figures. Have your pro's documentation in hand before signing and submitting.

Under Florida Statute 627.70132 (amended 2023), you have 1 year from the date of loss to file an initial claim, and 18 months to file a supplemental or reopened claim. These are shorter than most other states — Florida reduced them in 2023 insurance reform legislation. Report losses immediately. Even if you're unsure about coverage, file the claim and get documentation started. Late reporting is the second most common reason claims are denied.

Yes. Citizens covers sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes under standard HO-3 policy forms, the same as private carriers. Coverage includes water extraction, structural drying, drywall and flooring replacement, and contents. Citizens uses the same 'sudden and accidental' standard — a long-term slow leak may be denied as maintenance. Under Florida law, Citizens must begin claim investigation within 10 days of proof of loss and pay or deny within 90 days.

AOB is a contractual arrangement where a homeowner signs over insurance claim rights to a contractor, who then deals directly with the insurer. Florida significantly restricted property insurance AOB in 2019 after widespread abuse drove insurer insolvencies. Homeowners can still execute AOB for emergency services (water extraction, board-up), but carriers have restrictions and homeowners have rescission rights. CFDR does not require AOB — network pros work with your insurer while you remain in control of your own claim.

Network pros are experienced with all major Florida homeowner carriers: Citizens Property Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Farmers, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Travelers, Tower Hill, Heritage, Universal Property & Casualty, FedNat, Slide Insurance, and all other admitted Florida carriers. They know each carrier's documentation preferences, supplement processes, and adjuster workflows — which means fewer delays and fewer disputes on your claim.