You Focus on Your Family | We Handle Your Insurer
A water damage event is stressful enough without navigating the complexity of an insurance claim. Adjusters, scope disputes, documentation requirements, depreciation schedules, and coverage exclusions, most homeowners have never dealt with this process before, and insurers' interests are not always aligned with yours.
IntelliHomes brings years of direct experience working with every major Ontario insurer. We know exactly what documentation each adjuster requires, how to scope work to maximise approved coverage, and how to prevent the most common reasons claims are partially denied or underpaid. Our direct billing arrangement means you don't pay restoration costs out of pocket while waiting for claim approval, we collect from your insurer directly.
What Our Insurance Support Covers
Photo Documentation
Comprehensive photo documentation of all damage before, during, and after restoration exactly what adjusters require to approve scope and cost.
Moisture Logs & Maps
Calibrated moisture meter readings logged daily at marked locations, producing a moisture map that documents extent of saturation and validates the drying scope.
Thermal Imaging Reports
Infrared camera scans document hidden moisture inside walls, above ceilings, and under flooring supporting structural drying scope that adjusters might otherwise question.
Detailed Scope of Work
Line-by-line itemised scope with materials, labour, equipment, and unit costs prepared in the format your insurer's claims system requires for fast approval.
Adjuster Liaison
We communicate directly with your adjuster to answer technical questions, provide supplemental documentation, and negotiate scope disputes so you don't have to.
Direct Billing
We invoice your insurer directly for approved restoration work. You pay only your deductible. No upfront payment, no waiting for reimbursement.
How the Claims Process Works with IntelliHomes
Emergency Response & Initial Documentation
Our crew responds within 90 minutes. Before any cleanup begins, we photograph all damage, take moisture readings, and document the scope creating the evidentiary record that forms the foundation of your claim.
Coverage Review
We review your policy details with you to identify what's covered, what riders apply (sewer backup, overland water), and what your deductible is. We advise on whether the claim is worth making based on estimated scope versus potential premium impact.
Claim Opening Support
We help you open your claim with your insurer providing the initial loss description, damage photos, and contact information your insurer needs to assign an adjuster and begin the approval process.
Scope Preparation & Adjuster Submission
Our project manager prepares a detailed restoration scope formatted specifically for your insurer's claims system. We submit it directly to the assigned adjuster with all supporting IICRC documentation, moisture logs, and thermal imaging.
Restoration Work Begins
Once scope is approved, restoration begins immediately. We manage all aspects of the work from extraction and drying through rebuild so your property returns to pre-loss condition as quickly as possible.
Direct Billing & Final Settlement
On completion, we invoice your insurer directly for all approved work. You pay your deductible. We follow up with your adjuster to ensure timely payment you don't need to chase anyone.
Ontario Insurers We Work With
We have established working relationships with claims teams at all major Ontario home insurers and we know the specific documentation requirements each one expects.
What Ontario Home Insurance Typically Covers
Coverage depends on your specific policy and riders. Here's a general guide we review your actual policy at the assessment stage.
| Cause of Loss | Standard Policy | With Rider | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burst / Frozen Pipe | Covered | Covered | Must be sudden & accidental; not gradual leak |
| Appliance Overflow | Covered | Covered | Dishwasher, washing machine, water heater |
| Roof Leak (storm) | Covered | Covered | Sudden storm damage; not chronic leak neglect |
| Sewer Backup | Excluded | Covered | Requires sewer backup rider typically $30–80/yr |
| Overland Flooding | Excluded | Partial | Overland water endorsement available since 2015 |
| Mould (from covered event) | Covered | Covered | Must be linked to a covered water damage cause |
| Gradual / Slow Leak | Excluded | Excluded | Maintenance neglect is universally excluded |
Why the Right Restorer Makes a Claim Difference
IICRC Documentation = Insurer Approval
Non-certified restorers produce work that insurers routinely reject. IICRC S500-compliant drying logs, moisture maps, and equipment records are what Ontario adjusters look for. Without them, your claim can be denied or significantly reduced.
Complete Scope = Full Payment
Adjusters approve what is documented. Hidden moisture found by our thermal imaging and included in our scope gets approved and paid. Undiscovered moisture gets missed, and you pay for the resulting mould remediation later out of pocket.
Direct Adjuster Experience
We speak adjusters' language. We know how to present scope in the format each insurer's system requires, how to respond to information requests, and how to escalate scope disputes appropriately all without involving you.
No Upfront Payment
Some restoration companies require payment upfront and ask you to seek reimbursement. We bill your insurer directly you pay only your deductible on completion. This significantly reduces financial stress during an already difficult event.
What Clients Say About Our Insurance Process
"I was dreading dealing with my insurer after the basement flood. IntelliHomes handled the entire claim, I just provided my policy number. The adjuster called me once to confirm coverage. Everything else was handled for me."
"The first restorer I called couldn't bill Intact directly and wanted a $12,000 deposit. IntelliHomes billed Intact directly, I paid my $1,000 deductible and that was it. Night and day difference."
"Our adjuster initially questioned the scope for the wall drying. IntelliHomes sent their thermal imaging report and moisture log that same day, the scope was approved in full by afternoon. They knew exactly what to send."
Insurance Claims FAQ
When your damage is covered by insurance, no. We bill your insurer directly for all approved restoration work. Your only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible typically $500–$2,500 depending on your policy. You pay this on completion, not upfront. If damage is not covered (or you choose not to claim), we provide a detailed quote and payment plan.
Call us first, we respond in 90 minutes. Stopping active water damage and beginning extraction immediately is always the right priority. Your policy requires you to mitigate damage promptly, and a certified restorer on-site quickly actually strengthens your claim. Call your insurer to open the claim after the emergency is contained, we can help you with that call.
Yes, your insurer will assign an adjuster who reviews our documented scope and either approves it, requests supplemental information, or disputes specific line items. We handle all communication with the adjuster directly. You are kept informed but don't need to negotiate scope or answer technical questions yourself.
Scope disputes are common and usually resolved by providing additional documentation, thermal imaging, moisture logs, or technical explanation of why specific work is necessary per IICRC standards. We respond to disputes immediately and escalate through the insurer's formal review process if necessary. In most cases, disputes are resolved within 48–72 hours.
Possibly at renewal, a claim can affect your risk rating. However, for significant water damage events where restoration costs exceed $5,000–$10,000, the claim almost always makes financial sense compared to paying out of pocket. We advise on this at the assessment stage: if the damage is minor (close to your deductible), we'll tell you and let you decide. We don't push claims that don't benefit you.
Yes. While we provide full-service restoration including rebuild, you are not obligated to use us for reconstruction. Some homeowners prefer their own contractors for finishing work. We provide complete drying and remediation documentation that any licensed contractor can use to complete the rebuild in coordination with your insurer's approved scope.
Services We Document for Insurance
Water Damage Restoration
Full restoration with IICRC documentation for all water damage insurance claims.
Basement Flooding Cleanup
Ontario's most common water damage claim, we know exactly what adjusters need.
Sewer Backup Cleanup
Specialised biohazard documentation including waste manifests and lab clearance reports.
Burst Pipe Recovery
Thermal imaging and moisture mapping, essential for hidden wall cavity burst pipe claims.
Mould Remediation
Lab-confirmed clearance testing, the documentation insurers require for mould claims.