Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Claims

• Who Are Richfords?
• Where Do Richfords Work?
• When Can I Call Richfords?
• What Services Do Richfords Offer?
• My Insurer Says I Have To Use Their Preferred Supplier, Do I Have A Choice?
• Who Do I Contact If I Have Any Questions?
• Can I Communicate With You By Email?
• Can You Give Me Help & Advice?
• Can Richfords Limit The Insurance Claim?
• What Can I Expect After I Call Richfords?
• How Will The Work Proceed and Who Will I Meet At My Home/Business? 
• How Will I Be Updated On The Progress of My Project?
• What Is Damage Limitation?
• Who Pays For The Electricity The Equipment Uses?
• When Will I Know About Which Items I Have To Claim For?
• Who Will Redecorate?
• What is a Loss Adjuster?

Who Are Richfords?

With an excellent reputation both locally and nationally, as well as 30 years of experience Richfords are at the forefront of the damage restoration industry. Richfords is a corporate member of the British Damage Management Association (BDMA) and all our technicians are trained to BDMA standards. For further information on Richfords and the BDMA please click here.

Top insurance companies from all over the UK instruct us to carry out work on their behalf on a daily basis, working on all types of properties from residential properties to factories. Many of our previous customers refer us to friends, family and colleagues if they have also been unfortunate enough to suffer a damage causing incident.

We have a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and send a survey to every customer once the work has been completed. The results of these forms can be read on our Testimonials page, please click here for further information.

Where Do Richfords Work?

Richfords can carry out damage restoration work all over the UK. Please speak to one of our Claims Administrators if you need assistance.

When Can I Call Richfords?

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call our 24 hour emergency helpline on 01209 722522.

What Services Do Richfords Offer?

We offer a full range of damage restoration services to tackle flood, fire and water damage. For a full list of our services please click here.

My Insurer Says I Have To Use Their Preferred Supplier, Do I Have A Choice?

Many people do not realise it but you do have a choice who deals with your incident. When you call your insurance company they may tell you that they have a preferred company that they use for such incidents. However, it is your home, and as you pay your insurance premiums it is your choice who works in your home. If you would like us to carry out your work then call us on 01209 722522. Also, if you would like any further help or advice with this matter then we will be happy to assist.

Who Do I Contact If I Have Any Questions?

When we receive your call a dedicated Claims Administrator will be allocated to deal with the work until completed. This means you will always have the same point of contact and they will liaise with you on a regular basis to keep you updated on progress. You can contact your Claims Administrator between 8am and 5pm on 01209 722522. This number is also available 24 hours a day in an emergency.

Can I Communicate With You By Email?

You are welcome to email us anytime at response@richfords.com or alternatively click here to fill out our online enquiries form.

Can You Give Me Help & Advice?

Your Claims Administrator will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our work and to help guide you through the insurance claims process. Our Claims Administrators are here to take as much of the stress and work away from you as possible.

Can Richfords Limit The Insurance Claim?

We reduce the cost of claims to insurers by providing a quick response to incidents. We also carry out damage limitation on arrival at the scene of an incident which avoids secondary damage occurring. Through the use of innovative techniques such as injection drying we avoid the need for expensive and disruptive demolition and replacement of walls and ceilings. We can restore property and possessions to pristine condition at a fraction of the cost of buying replacement goods.

What Can I Expect After I Call Richfords?

• If we receive a call regarding an incident at your property from a third party such as a plumber or insurance company, we will contact you directly within 30 minutes of that initial call coming in.

• We will then arrange with you a convenient time to come and carry out the emergency work.

• The technician will discuss the incident with you to get all the necessary information, before carrying out risk assessments, surveys and documenting the incident using digital photography.

• The technician will then carry out vital damage limitation work, for example, extracting standing water or removing soot from the air.

• Richfords rapid response vehicles carry an extensive amount of kit and equipment. The technician will then be able to install any necessary equipment such as dehumidifiers or air scrubbers.

• To help you further understand the process of Richfords work we have several case studies available for you to read. Please click here for more information.

How Will The Work Proceed and Who Will I Meet At My Home/Business? 

As soon as we receive your call we will begin working on your claim. You will be allocated a dedicated Claims Administrator who will begin working on your insurance claim, and a technician will come to your property at a convenient time to begin the restoration work. At your property you will meet our technicians. Depending on the size of the incident you may have more than one technician on site. All of our staff carry ID badges, wear uniform and are trained to British Damage Management Association (BDMA) standards so you can feel confident and secure in the people working in your home.

How Will I Be Updated On The Progress of My Project?

Your Claims Administrator will liaise with you regularly to keep you updated on the progress of your project. Our BDMA technicians that carry out the work on your property will also be happy to discuss the project with you and answer any queries you may have.

What Is Damage Limitation?

When we first arrive at a property we will carry out vital damage limitation work. This could involve pumping out any standing floodwater, removal of wet carpets or treating metal items to avoid acid damage after a fire. Damage limitation work means that more of your treasured possessions can be saved as well as greatly reducing the cost of insurance claims.

Who Pays For The Electricity The Equipment Uses?

If your work is part of an insurance claim then the insurance company will pay all costs of running any equipment we install.

When Will I Know About Which Items I Have To Claim For?

We will produce a report detailing what items of contents have been successfully restored and what items are beyond economic restoration (BER). It is these items which will make up part of your claim.

Who Will Redecorate?

If the incident caused damage to decorations and fixtures then your insurers will most likely deal these with separately. Our work takes the property back to a safe, stable condition and the other sub-contractors can complete any necessary repair or cosmetic work after we have finished.

What is a Loss Adjuster?

Loss adjusters are claims specialists who validate claims on behalf of insurance companies and help policyholders restore their property to full working order. They investigate the scene of an incident; establish the causes of the damage and whether it’s covered by the insurance policy. They then write reports for the insurers, assessing the claim and recommending appropriate payment.