I Used to Inspect Homes
for Insurance Companies.
Now I Fight Them
for You.
Phil Sheridan · IICRC Certified · Edmond, OK
Your claim is worth what the documentation says it's worth. I make sure the documentation says the right number.
You Pay Premiums for a Promise. That Promise Has Footnotes.
You didn't plan to spend your Tuesday arguing with an actuary about the moisture content of your drywall. But here you are.
Something broke — a pipe, a storm, a fire. You called your insurance company because that's what premiums are for. You got a claim number, a promise that "someone will contact you within 3-5 business days," and a growing sense that 3-5 business days is a long time when your ceiling is dripping.
Then the estimate came. And it was low. Or it excluded something you thought was covered. Or it included the phrase "not a covered peril," which is insurance language for "we don't want to pay for that."
Nobody teaches you how insurance claims work until you need to file one. And by then, you're learning under pressure, with wet floors and a stranger with a clipboard telling you what your own house is worth.
That's where I come in.
What Your Oklahoma Home Insurance Actually Covers
Not guesses. Not "it depends." Here's what standard homeowners policies in Oklahoma cover for each type of restoration work — across State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, USAA, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and every other major carrier in the state.
| Service | Covered? | What Your Policy Says |
|---|---|---|
| Water Damage | ✅ YES | Covered if the damage is "sudden and accidental" — a burst pipe, an appliance overflow, a roof leak during a storm. NOT covered: flooding from outside (requires separate flood insurance), slow leaks you should have fixed, or sewer backup without an endorsement. |
| Fire & Smoke | ✅ YES | Fire is a covered peril on every standard Oklahoma home policy. That includes structural damage, smoke damage, soot damage, and the cleanup. |
| Odor Removal | ✅ YES | If the odor results from a covered loss — like smoke odor after a fire — your insurance pays for professional deodorization. |
| Emergency Board-Up | ✅ YES | Securing your home after damage (boarding windows, tarping the roof) is covered as emergency mitigation. Your insurer expects you to prevent further damage, and they reimburse the cost. |
| Mold Remediation | ⚠️ LIMITED | Only covered if the mold resulted from a covered peril (burst pipe → mold = covered; slow leak you ignored → mold = not covered). Most policies cap mold coverage at $5,000–$10,000. You can often add a mold endorsement for higher coverage. |
| Asbestos Removal | ❌ NO | Standard policies exclude asbestos as a pollutant. Only covered if asbestos was released by a covered peril (storm breaks a wall containing asbestos). |
| Lead Paint Removal | ❌ NO | Excluded across all major carriers. Lead paint abatement is a homeowner expense. |
| Flood Damage | ❌ NO | Requires a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private carrier. Standard home insurance does NOT cover flooding. |
What "sudden and accidental" actually means: It's the two-word test that determines whether your water damage claim gets paid. A pipe that bursts while you're asleep = sudden and accidental = covered. A pipe that's been dripping for six months behind your vanity = gradual = not covered. The timing and documentation of the discovery matter.
7 Questions Your Declarations Page Answers (If You Know Where to Look)
Your declarations page is the front page of your insurance policy. It's usually 2-3 pages long, and it contains every number that matters. Most homeowners have never read theirs. Here's what to check:
1. Does my Dwelling A coverage match rebuild costs?
Dwelling A is what your insurance will pay to rebuild the structure of your home. If your policy says $200,000 but it would cost $280,000 to rebuild today — you're underinsured by $80,000. Ask your agent for a current rebuild estimate.
2. Is my wind/hail deductible clear?
Oklahoma-specific: Many Oklahoma policies have a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail damage (often 1-2% of the dwelling value). That means a $300,000 home might have a $3,000-$6,000 wind/hail deductible on top of your standard deductible. Check your dec page — it's listed separately.
3. Do I have Loss-of-Use coverage?
If your home is uninhabitable after damage, Loss-of-Use (Coverage D) pays for temporary housing, meals, and other living expenses. Without it, you're paying for a hotel out of pocket. Ask your agent to add or increase it.
4. Are all endorsements included?
Endorsements are optional add-ons. Common ones: water backup coverage (sewer/drain backup — often NOT in the standard policy), equipment breakdown, scheduled personal property (for jewelry, electronics). If you don't have water backup coverage and your sewer backs up, you pay for the cleanup yourself.
5. Is my personal property coverage sufficient?
Coverage C protects your belongings. Do a quick inventory. If your personal property is worth more than your coverage limit, increase it. Oklahoma tip: check for sub-limits on valuables like jewelry — most policies cap these at $1,500-$2,500 unless you schedule them.
6. Is my liability coverage high enough?
Coverage E. If someone gets hurt on your property, this pays. Minimum recommended: $500,000. If you have significant assets, consider a $1 million umbrella policy.
7. Are all named insureds correct?
If the wrong person is named on the policy — or if a spouse, co-owner, or family member is missing — claims can be denied or complicated. Verify every name.
Don't know where your dec page is? Call 405-896-9088 and I'll walk through it with you. Free. No catch.
I Used to Do the Inspecting. Now I Do the Fighting.
Before I started 4D Restoration, I spent time doing insurance inspections. I've been in the adjuster's truck. I've looked at damaged homes through the lens of "how much do we have to pay for this?"
That experience gave me two things most restoration contractors don't have.
First: I know how adjusters build their estimates. I know what they photograph, what they skip, what they flag for denial, and what they approve without a fight. I know the language of the IICRC S500 — the industry standard for water damage restoration — because adjusters use it as their benchmark. So I document to that standard before they ask.
Second: I know that adjusters respond to evidence, not arguments. You can yell at an adjuster for an hour and get nowhere. Or you can hand them a documentation package with timestamped photos, daily moisture readings organized by room, equipment logs that match the invoice, and a room-by-room narrative that tells the story of the damage and the restoration. Page by page, the scope becomes undeniable.
I don't argue with adjusters. I just send the evidence until they stop arguing with me.
Oklahoma Says You Choose Your Contractor. Not Your Insurance Company.
If your insurance company told you to use their "preferred vendor" or "network contractor," you should know: in Oklahoma, the choice of restoration contractor is yours. Not theirs.
Insurance companies can recommend a contractor. They cannot require one. Pushing you toward their vendor — a practice called "steering" — is prohibited by Oklahoma consumer protection laws. If you've already felt that pressure, you're not imagining it.
Here's what that means for you: You can hire whoever you trust. You don't lose coverage by choosing your own contractor. And if your insurer gives you trouble about it, you have the right to contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
Still working with a preferred vendor? You can switch. It's your house.
How I Handle Your Insurance Claim (Step by Step)
[ Free Claim Review ]
I look at your damage, your policy, and your carrier. I tell you what's likely covered before you sign anything or commit to a scope. This call is free, takes 15 minutes, and comes with zero obligation. If your situation doesn't need us, I'll tell you that too.
[ Documentation ]
I document your damage to IICRC S500 standards — timestamped photos of every affected area, daily moisture readings with a clear downward trend, equipment logs that match what's billed, and a room-by-room breakdown your adjuster can follow. The goal is a documentation package the adjuster can't argue with.
[ Negotiation ]
If the adjuster's scope is short, I supplement. If the estimate is low, I send the evidence. I don't have shouting matches — I have data. Most adjusters approve the full scope when the documentation is this thorough. The ones who push back get more documentation.
[ Resolution ]
You pay your deductible. Your insurance pays the rest. If there's a dispute that can't be resolved, I help you understand your options — including filing a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, which recovered approximately $11 million for consumer complaints in 2025.
Oklahoma Insurance by the Numbers
They Weren't Just Professional — They Were Personable.
"They showed up very quickly, explained everything clearly, took great photos and notes for insurance, monitored daily and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them. 10/10!!!"
"I was freaking out, and they weren't just professional — they were personable. They coordinated everything with insurance and took the time to reassure me."
Insurance Questions I Actually Get Asked
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=01 "What should I do before the insurance adjuster comes to my house?" ▶ ENTER
Take photos of everything. Close-ups of damage, wide shots of each room, and one thing most people forget: photos of undamaged areas for comparison. Do NOT throw away damaged materials — the adjuster needs to see them. If there's standing water, document it before extraction starts. I can walk you through this over the phone before the adjuster arrives.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=02 "My insurance company sent their preferred vendor — do I have to use them?" ▶ ENTER
No. In Oklahoma, you have the legal right to choose your own restoration contractor. Your insurance company can suggest someone, but they can't require it. If you've felt pressured, that's called steering, and you can report it to the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=03 "The adjuster's estimate is way lower than what the damage actually costs — now what?" ▶ ENTER
That's called a "supplement" situation. I create a detailed documentation package — photos, moisture data, IICRC standards references, and a line-by-line breakdown — and submit it to your adjuster. In most cases, the supplemented scope gets approved when the evidence is clear. If they still push back, we escalate.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=04 "What does "sudden and accidental" mean on my home insurance policy?" ▶ ENTER
It's the coverage test for water damage. A pipe that bursts tonight = sudden and accidental = covered. A faucet that's been dripping behind your wall for months = gradual = not covered. The key is when the damage was discovered and whether it could have been prevented with reasonable maintenance. Documentation of when you found the damage matters.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=05 "Does my home insurance cover mold after water damage?" ▶ ENTER
Usually — but with limits. If the mold resulted from a covered water event (burst pipe, not a slow leak), most Oklahoma policies cover mold remediation up to $5,000–$10,000. That cap surprises a lot of people. You can often purchase a mold endorsement for higher coverage. Ask your agent.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=06 "How do I read my insurance declarations page?" ▶ ENTER
Start with the 7 questions in our declarations page guide above. Your dec page shows your coverage amounts, deductibles (including separate wind/hail deductibles — common in Oklahoma), endorsements, policy period, and named insureds. If something doesn't make sense, call me at 405-896-9088 and I'll walk you through it.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=07 "What's the difference between ACV and RCV on my insurance claim?" ▶ ENTER
ACV = Actual Cash Value. RCV = Replacement Cost Value. ACV pays what your damaged property is worth today (after depreciation). RCV pays what it costs to replace it with a new equivalent. Example: Your 10-year-old carpet is damaged. ACV might pay $500 (depreciated value). RCV pays $2,000 (new carpet of similar quality). Check your dec page — your policy is one or the other, and the difference can be thousands of dollars.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=08 "Can I file a complaint against my insurance company in Oklahoma?" ▶ ENTER
Yes. Contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 (toll-free consumer assistance) or visit oid.ok.gov. You can also reach the OKC office at 405-521-2828 or the Tulsa office at 918-295-3700. You can file complaints about claim handling, delays, underpayments, or steering. The OID investigates and has real enforcement power — they recovered approximately $11 million for consumers in 2025 alone.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=09 "What documentation does a restoration company need to give my insurance?" ▶ ENTER
At minimum, per the IICRC S500 standard: timestamped before/during/after photos, daily moisture readings with a clear downward trend, equipment logs matching the invoice (type and count of dehumidifiers, air movers, etc.), water category classification, and a room-by-room breakdown. I also include a narrative summary explaining the damage, the actions taken, and the results. This level of documentation is what gets scopes approved without a fight.
admin@4d : ~/faq $ query --id=10 "What if my insurance company denies my water damage claim entirely?" ▶ ENTER
First: understand why. Get the denial in writing. Common reasons include "gradual damage" (they're saying the damage happened over time), "maintenance issue" (they're saying you should have fixed it earlier), or "not a covered peril." If they're wrong, I can help you build the evidence for an appeal. You can also file a complaint with the OID or consult with a public adjuster or an attorney who specializes in insurance claims. You have options.
You don't need another restoration company that says "we work with insurance." You need one that knows how adjusters think, documents to the standard they have to respect, and fights for your scope when the estimate comes in low.
Call Phil.
405-896-9088Free 15-minute claim review. I'll tell you what's covered before you sign anything.
Or text me a photo of the damage. I text back fast.
"I speak insurance adjuster. Let me translate."