RescueHero technician and insurance adjuster reviewing water damage scope in Portland home

Portland & Vancouver · We Bill Your Insurance Directly

We Handle Water, Fire & Mold Damage Insurance Claims for You

We document your loss, bill your carrier, and advocate for a fair claim. You pay your deductible. We handle the rest.

20+
Years in the Trades
90min
Response Time
Top 4%
of WA Contractors
100%
Insurance Handled
Homeowner reviewing restoration paperwork with a RescueHero technician in Portland Independent, we work for you

Know Your Rights

You Choose Your Contractor, Not Your Insurer

You have the right to choose your own restoration contractor in Washington and Oregon. Your insurer may recommend a “preferred vendor,” but that choice belongs to you, not them.

Your Rights & the Preferred-Vendor Myth

Preferred vendors have a financial relationship with the carrier. That relationship can create pressure to scope conservatively. We are independent, our job is to document and restore everything that was damaged.

We Bill Your Carrier Directly

You do not write a check and wait for reimbursement. On covered claims, we settle with your insurer directly. Your out-of-pocket cost is limited to your deductible.

We Document with Photos & Moisture Readings

Photographs taken before any cleanup are your most important claim document. We maintain a detailed job log and prepare every estimate in Xactimate format.

We Advocate for a Fair Claim

If your adjuster questions a line item, we negotiate with documentation to support every item. We have settled hundreds of claims in the Portland-Vancouver metro.

Call (360) 300-4111

Coverage by Peril

What Homeowners Insurance May Cover

Coverage always depends on your specific policy, the cause of the loss, and any endorsements you carry. The following is general guidance, not legal or financial advice. Your declarations page is the authoritative source.

Water Damage

Sudden, accidental events, burst pipes, appliance leaks, and storm water through a covered roof opening, may be covered. Gradual leaks and long-term seepage are typically excluded. Sewage backup usually requires a separate endorsement. See our water damage page.

Fire & Smoke Damage

Fire damage is among the best-covered perils in a standard HO-3 or HO-5 policy. Structure, personal property, and smoke damage throughout the home are typically included. Additional Living Expenses (ALE) may cover a hotel while your home is restored. See our fire damage page.

Mold

Mold that results directly from a covered water event may be covered. Pre-existing mold from long-term humidity or a slow leak is typically excluded as a maintenance issue. Acting fast after water damage is the most important factor. See our mold remediation page.

Sewage Backup

Standard policies typically exclude sewage backup unless you carry a specific water and sewer backup endorsement. If you have that rider, a covered sewage event may include Category 3 extraction, structural drying, and damaged contents. Check your declarations page to confirm.

Step by Step

How a Restoration Insurance Claim Works

Most homeowners have never navigated a major restoration claim. Here is what to expect, and where we step in.

1

Emergency call and mitigation

Call us the moment you discover damage. We stop active damage first: water extraction, board-up, or fire containment. We document everything with photos before starting any cleanup, that documentation becomes part of your claim record.

2

File with your insurer

Contact your agent or file through your carrier’s portal. Provide the date, time, and cause of the loss. You will be assigned an adjuster who handles your claim file.

3

Adjuster inspection

We coordinate directly with your adjuster and are on-site for the inspection. Walking through the damage together lets us flag every affected area while the adjuster is present, not after the fact.

4

Xactimate estimate

We prepare your full scope of loss in Xactimate and submit it to your adjuster. If they return a lower number or miss items, we negotiate line by line with documentation to support every item.

5

Approval and work begins

Once the scope is approved, we schedule and begin work. For major losses, work may begin in phases as approvals come through.

6

Direct billing

We bill your carrier directly. You pay your deductible. That is your out-of-pocket responsibility on a covered claim. We handle the rest.

RescueHero technician using a moisture meter to document scope before submitting a claim

Claim Concepts

Key Concepts That Affect Your Payout

Understanding these three factors before your adjuster arrives can make a significant difference in your final settlement.

Sudden vs. Gradual Damage

Insurance covers sudden, accidental damage: a pipe that bursts overnight, a washing machine hose that fails. It typically excludes gradual damage that built up over time. The sooner you document the event, the cleaner the record.

ACV vs. Replacement Cost Value

Check your declarations page. ACV pays the depreciated value of damaged items. RCV pays what it actually costs to replace them like-for-like. RCV policies cost more in premium but pay out significantly more on major losses.

Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you pay before coverage applies. On a covered claim, you pay your deductible to us and we collect the remainder from your carrier. Some policies carry a separate wind or hail deductible.

Why RescueHero

Disaster Is Stressful Enough

We take the weight off your shoulders, fast response, real expertise, and an insurance process we handle for you.

RescueHero technician documenting moisture readings during a Portland water damage claim

Fast 24/7 Response

We answer day or night and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less, because water damage spreads by the hour.

We Handle Your Insurance

We document the loss and bill your insurance company directly, so you can focus on your family.

IICRC-Certified Crews

Trained, certified technicians using industrial drying, thermal imaging and proven methods to restore your home.

Local Experts Since 2003

Two decades restoring Portland-metro homes and businesses, ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors.

How It Works

Three Steps to Your Home Restored

A clear, calm process from your first call through the final repair.

1

Call & Rapid Response

Call (360) 300-4111 any time. We dispatch a crew and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less to assess the damage and stop it from spreading.

2

Mitigate & Dry

We stop the source, extract water, and set up industrial drying to prevent mold and further loss, documenting everything for your claim.

3

Restore & Rebuild

From repairs to full reconstruction, we return your home to pre-loss condition and handle your insurance claim from start to finish.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Fully licensed in Oregon & Washington (WA #PALIYCL840CR · OR CCB #178996), with full insurance for your peace of mind.

IICRC Certified

Our technicians are trained and certified to IICRC industry standards for water, fire and mold restoration.

Workmanship You Can Trust

We don’t leave until it’s done right, restored to pre-loss condition or better.

RescueHero specialist helping a homeowner couple with their insurance claim

Insurance Claims Made Easy

We Work Directly With Your Insurance

We document the full scope of the loss with photos and moisture readings, bill your insurance company directly, and advocate for a fair, complete claim. On a covered loss, your out-of-pocket cost is your deductible. Coverage is always conditional on your specific policy and the cause of loss.

  • Billed directly to your insurance carrier
  • Full photo & moisture documentation
  • We advocate for a fair, complete claim
  • You choose your contractor, not the insurer
Start Your Claim

Built on Trust

Two Decades of 5-Star Craftsmanship

RescueHero is the restoration arm of the Paliy family’s construction company, rated 5.0 on HomeAdvisor and ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors by BuildZoom. The same proven team and standards, now restoring homes and businesses after disaster.

5.0 on HomeAdvisor
Top 4% · BuildZoom
Established Since 2003

“The work was done efficiently and professionally, with very good communication.”

A
Allan F.
Verified review

“Great work! Fast, clean, customer friendly!”

J
Jake B.
Verified review

“Art and David were extremely professional and answered all my questions while installing our new floors.”

E
Erica G.
Verified review

Verified reviews of the Paliy family’s construction & remodeling work (BuildZoom). Restoration reviews coming as RescueHero launches.

Common Questions & Answers

Insurance Claim FAQs

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Generally, yes, if the damage is sudden and accidental. Burst pipes, a failed appliance hose, storm water entering through a damaged roof opening: these events may be covered under a standard HO-3 or HO-5 policy. What is typically not covered is gradual water damage, a slow drip under a sink, a toilet that has been running for months, or long-term moisture buildup behind a wall. If you are unsure whether your specific event qualifies, call us at (360) 300-4111 and we can help you evaluate it before you file.
Does homeowners insurance cover mold?
It depends on the source. Mold that results directly from a covered water event, say a burst pipe that led to water intrusion and subsequent mold growth, may be covered under your policy. Mold from long-standing humidity, poor ventilation, or a slow leak that has been ignored is typically excluded as a maintenance issue. The faster you address water damage and get it mitigated, the cleaner your coverage record stays. See our page on mold remediation for what the remediation process involves.
Do I have to use my insurance company’s preferred contractor?
No. In Washington and Oregon, you have the right to choose your own contractor. Your insurer may recommend contractors from their preferred vendor network, but that is a suggestion, not a requirement. You are free to hire any licensed, qualified restoration company. We are independent. We work for you, not for your carrier, which means our scope reflects what your property actually needs, not what satisfies a network agreement.
How long does a restoration insurance claim take?
A mid-size claim, water damage with drying and some structural repair, typically resolves in 30 to 90 days from date of loss to final payment. Complex losses involving reconstruction and a full contents inventory can take longer. We keep you informed at every stage and stay in contact with your adjuster so delays are caught early.
What does Xactimate mean?
Xactimate is the industry-standard software that restoration contractors and insurance adjusters use to prepare and review estimates. When we submit a scope of loss in Xactimate format, your adjuster can process it directly without having to translate it from a custom format. We prepare all of our estimates in Xactimate. If your adjuster questions a line item, we have the documentation to support it and negotiate on your behalf.
Can I negotiate my insurance claim settlement?
Yes. If the adjuster’s initial scope misses items, uses incorrect pricing, or applies excessive depreciation, we document the discrepancy and negotiate directly with your adjuster. This is a normal part of the claims process. Adjusters are not infallible, and a well-documented supplemental claim is routine. We have handled hundreds of claims and know how to make the case for a complete scope.
What is ACV vs. replacement cost on my insurance claim?
ACV stands for Actual Cash Value. Your insurer pays the depreciated value of what was damaged. A 15-year-old roof might be worth only 40 percent of its replacement cost under ACV. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays what it actually costs to restore or replace the damaged property like-for-like, regardless of age. Which one you have depends on your policy. Check your declarations page or ask your agent. RCV policies typically pay out significantly more on most claims.
Does insurance pay for temporary housing during restoration?
Most standard HO-3 and HO-5 policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. If your home is uninhabitable during restoration due to smoke, water saturation, or structural damage, ALE may pay for a hotel, short-term rental, meals above your normal food budget, and other reasonable costs while you are displaced, depending on your policy terms. ALE has a dollar or time limit stated in your policy. We can help you document the displacement period as part of your overall claim.

Where We Work

Serving the Portland & Vancouver Metro

Fast, local response across the entire Portland/Vancouver metro. Our crews are based right here, so when you call, help is already on the way.

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RescueHero Restoration branded van serving the Portland and Vancouver metro

Damage Happened. We’re Ready.

One call starts the rescue. We’ll be on the way, and we’ll handle your insurance from here.

Get Help Now

Tell Us What Happened

Tell us what happened and we’ll call you right back. For an active emergency, please call or text (360) 300-4111, we answer 24/7.

Call or Text, 24/7(360) 300-4111 Emailoffice@callrescuehero.com
Office5305 NE 121st Ave, Ste 312, Vancouver, WA 98682

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