Home claims emergency services

Emergency services

If your home has been damaged and you are covered by AAA Homeowners insurance, we want to help you through the process of securing your property and preventing further damage.

• You'll first want to prevent further damage by making temporary repairs, if it's safe to do so, or obtaining repairs as necessary.
• Save all receipts, photos, and other documentation (reports, invoices, etc.) related to your loss and submit them to your representative; when possible, don't throw away damaged items as they may be needed to make a complete evaluation of your claim.
• Report the claim. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The most frequent types of losses are:

Water emergency services

• Keeping your safety and the safety of others in mind, please attempt to control the source of the water and make minor repairs to prevent further damage.
• If the source of the water is plumbing related, a plumber may be needed to turn off the water at the main shut off valve.
• In the event of flooding, if safe to do so, turn off the power from the main source as a precaution. 
• If safe to do so, rescue the most valuable items (documents, photographs, or heirlooms) from the flooded areas; when possible, don't throw away damaged items as they may be needed to make a complete evaluation of your claim.
• Report the claim. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• After you've filed a claim, a representative will contact you for additional details, and to discuss your policy coverages, benefits, deductible, and next steps.
• If needed, your representative will offer services from our partner vendors for any temporary repairs or emergency assistance.

We understand this process is a lot to consider, so if you have additional questions, please see the home claims process.

Fire damage restoration services

Be sure that you and your family are out of harm’s way, and that your home poses no potential risks to your well-being.

• Contact the fire department for assistance and get permission from officials before re-entering the damaged structure. 
• Contact family members and loved ones to let them know about the incident and attend to your family’s safety and comfort.
• Report the claim. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• After you've filed a claim, a representative will contact you for additional details, and to discuss your policy coverages, benefits, deductible, and next steps.
• You may qualify for temporary housing. For additional information, please contact your representative.
• If needed, your representative will offer services from our partner vendors for any temporary repairs or emergency assistance.

Additional resources and guidance:

• FEMA - After the Fire
• Red Cross - Picking up the Pieces After a Fire
• Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery page

Fire emergency services

After you've filed your covered claim, we'll offer services from our partner vendors for any temporary repairs or emergency assistance.

If you wish to use your own company for a covered claim, we'll contact them to discuss a plan of action and arrange an inspection. After the fire trucks leave, your smoke- and fire-damaged property will also likely have widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts.

Fire and water damage restoration professionals have specialized training and experience to clean and restore your home. We'll work with the vendor to create a plan to address the damaged property covered by your AAA policy.

Storm damage emergency services

Ensure you and your family are out of harm’s way, and that your home poses no potential risks to your well-being. Storms often cause damages to trees and power lines. Please do not attempt to move heavy objects or downed power lines without contacting the fire department or a professional.

• Contact the fire department or a professional to remove power lines or other heavy objects from your property.
• Contact family members and loved ones to let them know about the incident and attend to your family’s safety and comfort.
• Report the claim. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• After you've filed a claim, a representative will contact you for additional details, and to discuss your policy coverages, benefits, deductible, and next steps.
• You may qualify for temporary housing. For additional information, please contact your representative.
• If needed, your representative will offer services from our partner vendors for any temporary repairs or emergency assistance.

Additional storm preparedness resources and guidance:

• Ready's resources on hurricanes
• FEMA disaster assistance

Storm emergency services partner

After you've filed your covered claim, we'll offer services from our partner vendors for any temporary repairs or emergency assistance.

If you wish to use your own company for a covered claim, we'll contact them to discuss a plan of action and arrange an inspection.

• The restoration company will schedule an inspection and assess the damage to your home.
• Once this is complete, they'll recommend the appropriate action needed to secure the property, begin the water removal/extraction, and start the drying process.
• Equipment such as fans and dehumidifiers will most likely be set up in your home to facilitate the drying process.
• Once the drying process is complete, they'll clean and sanitize the affected areas of your home.

Temporary tarping & board up services

If your home was damaged by fire, flood, weather, vandalism, or an accident that requires temporary tarping or board up services for a covered claim, your representative will contact our service partners to assist. Tarping and board up services prevent secondary damages and secure your property from weather, animals, and illegal entry. If you suspect structural damage, please vacate the premises immediately.

Why do I need a restoration company?

Securing your property and/or cleaning up the damage is the first stage of restoring your home. Restoration professionals have specialized training and experience to efficiently complete this process.

A restoration company will inspect your property to determine the extent of the water, fire, smoke, and other damage; a crucial step in developing a plan of action which may include some or all of the following services:

• Immediate board up and roof tarp service
• Water removal, sewage cleanup, and structural drying
• Removal of smoke and soot
• Cleaning and sanitizing

The goal is to prevent additional damage to your property by removing water, moisture, fire, soot, or other damage as quickly as possible. 

Who can I call for assistance & can I hire my own company?

We have vendors who can assist with cleanup and temporary repairs. There are many advantages in choosing our vendors, but you make the final decision on which vendor(s) to hire to restore your property.

Advantages to using a AAA-referred vendor:

• Assistance with many services including water mitigation, temporary board up, minor repairs, and roof tarping.
• Pre-screened contractors, including background checks.
• Industry leading warranties for workmanship.

What is a work authorization & why do I need to sign it?

A work authorization is a detailed description of work to be performed, and typically includes the estimated cost and scope of repairs.

• Includes your agreement to pay all repairs and improvements contracted. 
• Only you can authorize contractors to conduct work at your property.

A repair contract is between you and the contractor you select, so they work for you, not AAA. Before signing any documents regarding a covered claim, you may want to first review them with your representative to help avoid any unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.

Who is responsible for paying for these services?

Your representative will complete a thorough investigation to determine if your claim is covered.

If coverage is applicable, payment for your covered loss will be issued based on the terms and conditions of your insurance policy and applicable deductible.

Your representative will provide a detailed explanation of your policy’s coverages and benefits. Before signing any documents, you may want to first review them with your representative to help avoid any unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.

How long will It take for my property to dry & how will I know it is dry?

Based on the extent of the damage, the water damage restoration company will recommend the type of equipment to be placed in your home.

Drying times depend on the extent of the damage as well as damage location, duration, source of the water, type of building materials, weather conditions, and how soon the water removal process began. 

The water restoration company carefully monitors the drying process using moisture meters until the materials reach acceptable levels. They'll give you progress updates and recommendations for equipment removal. Some building materials may look or feel dry to the touch, but using specialized equipment is the correct way to determine when your home is completely dry.

If my home sustains water damage, what type of equipment will be in my home & will I be able to stay in my home?

The typical process for water cleanup includes placing specialized drying equipment including industrial air movers (fans) and dehumidifiers.

While this equipment is very efficient in removing water from your home, you can expect some amplified noise, dust, and heat generated from the dehumidifier. You may qualify for temporary housing. For additional information, please contact your representative.

Working with your AAA insurance agent is a good way to make sure your insurance needs are covered. You can also sign in to your AAA account to review your policies, deductibles, and coverage.