Insurance Claim Restoration | Serving Clanton, Chilton County & Central Alabama

Fire, Flood, or Storm Damage? We Handle the Insurance Claim and the Rebuild.

Most contractors only do the rebuild. Most public adjusters only file the claim.

Recon Reconstruction documents the damage, works directly with your carrier, and performs the licensed reconstruction from first call to final walkthrough.

Tell Us about your damage

How Can We Help

We Handle the Claim and the Build What That Means for You

There is a meaningful difference between a contractor who does restoration work and a contractor who manages the insurance claim as part of that work.

A contractor who does restoration work gives you a price, builds what you approve, and sends you a bill. What you pay out of pocket depends on what you negotiated with your insurance company — a process you navigated alone.

A contractor who manages the insurance claim alongside the restoration work does something more valuable.

They assess the full scope of damage before anything is disturbed, using the documentation standards your adjuster requires.

They identify hidden and secondary damage that a surface assessment misses. They communicate directly with your carrier throughout the process — knowing the documentation format, the terminology, and the procedural requirements each carrier uses.

They advocate for a scope of work that reflects the full extent of damage, not just the minimum required to close the claim. And then they perform the licensed reconstruction.

The difference in outcome between these two approaches is often measured in thousands of dollars in coverage your home receives — and in the quality of the rebuild you get at the end of the process.

Recon Reconstruction has operated as an insurance restoration contractor in Clanton and Central Alabama for over 27 years.

Owners Kyle McRae and Alex Price have personally managed hundreds of insurance restoration projects — from contained kitchen fires to total loss reconstructions — and know the process from both the construction and the claims side.

Step by Step

Our Insurance Claim Process
From First Call to Final Completion

Every insurance restoration project we manage follows the same structured eight-step process.
Here is exactly what working with Recon Reconstruction on an insurance claim looks like.

Emergency Response and Stabilization

We secure the property to prevent further damage immediately. Roof tarping, structural board-up, and temporary stabilization protect your home while the insurance process begins. This step also begins the documentation record -- the pre-mitigation condition of the property is photographed and recorded before anything is moved or cleaned.

Full Damage Assessment

We perform a thorough inspection of all structural, mechanical, and interior damage. Every affected area is photographed and documented in written detail. This includes hidden damage -- inside wall cavities, beneath flooring, in the framing above ceilings -- that a standard adjuster walkthrough will not capture from the surface.

Scope of Work Development

We build a detailed written scope of work covering every item required to restore your home to pre-loss condition. This document is the foundation of your insurance claim. A weak or incomplete scope produces a low settlement. A thorough, accurate scope produces a settlement that covers what the rebuild actually requires.

Adjuster Coordination

We communicate directly with your insurance adjuster, provide all documentation, and work through any discrepancies between their assessment and ours. If the initial adjuster estimate is insufficient, we present our documentation and advocate for the correct scope before you accept any settlement.

Insurance Authorization

Once the scope is agreed and the claim is authorized, we confirm the full scope of work is covered before reconstruction begins. We do not start the build on a scope that does not cover the required work.

Licensed Reconstruction

Our team performs all reconstruction work -- structural framing, drywall, roofing, flooring, tile, and interior finish work. Every phase is managed by owners Kyle McRae and Alex Price.

Supplement Management

When damage discovered during demolition or reconstruction was not captured in the original scope, we file a supplement claim with your carrier. This is a normal and expected part of the restoration process. We manage it completely on your behalf.

Final Walkthrough and Documentation

We perform a final walkthrough with you before closing the project. Completion documentation is provided for your insurance file and your personal records.

Damage Documentation Why It Is the Foundation of Every Claim

Most homeowners focus on the settlement dollar amount as the critical number in an insurance claim. The damage documentation is actually more important — because the settlement amount flows directly from it.

Documentation that accurately captures the full scope of damage — structural, mechanical, cosmetic, hidden, and secondary — produces a settlement that reflects what the rebuild actually costs.

Documentation that only captures what is visible on the surface on the day of the adjuster’s visit produces a settlement that does not.

The difference between these two outcomes is rarely the carrier acting in bad faith. It is usually the scope of documentation submitted.

Adjusters work from what is in front of them. If the documentation does not show hidden framing damage, they do not put it in the scope. If the documentation does not capture smoke damage in adjacent rooms, it does not appear in the settlement.

If the documentation does not note secondary water damage from suppression, it is not covered.

Our documentation process captures the full scope of damage using photographic records, written damage descriptions, and scope line items that meet the standard each carrier uses for claim review.

We have been producing insurance documentation for every major carrier serving the Clanton area for over 27 years.

We know what they need to see and how they need to see it.

Working With Your Adjuster What We Do That Most Contractors Do Not

Insurance adjusters are professionals doing a job for their employer — the insurance carrier.

Their goal is to assess the damage accurately and settle the claim appropriately within the carrier’s guidelines.

Most adjusters approach that goal honestly. The challenge is that their assessment is necessarily limited to what they can observe during a site visit that may last one to two hours.

Recon Reconstruction’s role in the adjuster relationship is to ensure that what the adjuster sees is the full picture — not just the surface presentation.

We are present during adjuster visits on every project we manage. We walk the property with the adjuster, point out damage that requires closer examination, explain why specific items are necessary components of a complete restoration, and provide supplemental documentation for any items that were not fully captured during the visual inspection.

When an adjuster’s initial estimate differs significantly from our damage assessment, we do not simply accept the difference and tell the homeowner to absorb it.

We present our documentation, explain the specific items in dispute, and work through the scope until it accurately reflects what the restoration requires. That process is part of our standard service — not an escalation or a conflict.

We have established working relationships with the field adjusters and desk adjusters who handle claims for every major carrier in the Clanton area.

Those relationships are built on a reputation for accurate documentation and professional communication — which makes the process more efficient for everyone involved.

Supplement Claims When Additional Damage Is Discovered

A supplement claim is filed when damage discovered during demolition or reconstruction was not included in the original approved scope. It is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the insurance restoration process, and it is worth explaining clearly.

Adjusters assess damage from the surface. Before demolition begins, that is the only way to assess it. A wall that has been damaged by fire or water shows surface evidence of that damage — discoloration, soft drywall, smoke staining. What is behind that wall — the framing condition, the insulation, the wiring — cannot be observed without removing the wall surface.

When demolition reveals damage that was not in the original scope, that work needs to be performed for the restoration to be complete. The question is who pays for it.

A contractor who does not manage supplement claims leaves that question for the homeowner to resolve alone — typically after they have already signed a contract and construction is already under way. An insurance restoration contractor manages the supplement process from identification through authorization before the additional work is performed.

We document every item of supplemental damage as it is discovered, submit the supplement to your carrier with supporting documentation, and obtain authorization before performing the additional work. No surprise bills. No cost overruns that the homeowner absorbs. Every item is covered before it is built.

Insurance Carriers We Work With in Clanton and Chilton County

We have an established working relationship with every major insurance carrier serving Clanton and Chilton County. We understand each carrier’s documentation preferences, communication protocols, claim review processes, and field adjuster assignment procedures — which accelerates the timeline from claim filing to construction authorization.

Carriers we regularly work with in the Clanton area include Alfa Insurance, Nationwide, Progressive, Farmers Insurance, and Liberty Mutual. If your carrier is not listed above, call us. We work with all licensed property and casualty carriers operating in Alabama.

Your Rights as a Homeowner in Alabama

This is one of the most important things a homeowner facing a property damage insurance claim needs to know, and it is worth stating clearly.

You have the right to choose your own contractor. Your insurance company may assign a preferred vendor, recommend a network contractor, or in some cases actively encourage you to use a specific company. You are under no legal obligation to use any of them. Alabama homeowners have the right to choose any licensed contractor to perform restoration work on their property.

Your contractor should be working for you. A preferred vendor assigned or recommended by your carrier has a primary relationship with the carrier — their incentive is to complete the work efficiently within the carrier’s approved budget. When you choose your own contractor, your contractor’s sole goal is restoring your home to pre-loss condition or better.

You do not have to accept the first settlement offer. An initial adjuster estimate is a starting point, not a final determination. If the scope does not accurately reflect the full extent of damage, it can be supplemented and revised. The supplement claim process exists for exactly this reason.

You have the right to request a re-inspection. If you believe the initial adjuster assessment missed significant damage, you can request a re-inspection. Having a licensed contractor with complete damage documentation present at that re-inspection significantly improves the outcome.

Recon Reconstruction works for you — not for your insurance company. That distinction is the foundation of every insurance restoration project we manage.

For Insurance Agents and Adjusters Establishing a Referral Relationship

If you are an insurance professional — an agent, adjuster, or claims coordinator — looking for a reliable licensed contractor to recommend to policyholders in the Clanton and Central Alabama market, Recon Reconstruction has a documented track record of professional claim coordination, thorough documentation, and quality construction execution.

What we offer insurance professionals who refer clients to us:

Prompt response to policyholder calls -- we understand that your clients are in a stressful situation and respond accordingly
Complete and well-organized documentation that accelerates your review process rather than creating additional back-and-forth
Honest and accurate scope development -- we do not pad scopes and we do not minimize them
Professional communication throughout the claim -- you hear from us when something affects the timeline or scope, not after the fact
Quality construction execution that does not generate callbacks or complaints that reflect on the referral
Over 27 years of established presence in the Clanton and Chilton County market -- we are not a temporary entrant

To discuss establishing a referral relationship or to refer a current policyholder, contact Kyle McRae directly.

Why 27 Years of Insurance Restoration Experience Makes the Difference

Experience in insurance restoration is not accumulated in a classroom or a certification program. It is accumulated one claim at a time — learning each carrier’s documentation requirements, understanding how adjusters approach different damage types, knowing when to push back on an insufficient scope and how to do it professionally, and building the reputation that makes the entire process move more smoothly.

Recon Reconstruction of Alabama has been handling insurance restoration claims in Clanton and Central Alabama since before many of our current competitors were in business. Kyle McRae has personally managed the insurance coordination on hundreds of residential restoration projects spanning every damage type — fire, water, storm, total loss reconstruction — and every major carrier in this market.

That experience is the difference between a restoration project that settles quickly at the correct scope and one that drags through disputes, supplements, and re-inspections for months. It is the difference between a homeowner who feels supported throughout the process and one who feels like they are navigating an unfamiliar system alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Claims
in Clanton, AL

Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred contractor?

No. Alabama homeowners have the legal right to choose any licensed contractor for insurance restoration work. Your carrier may suggest or strongly encourage a preferred vendor, but they cannot legally require you to use them as a condition of your claim. The preferred vendor system exists to reduce carrier costs -- the preferred contractor's relationship is with the carrier, not with you. When you choose Recon Reconstruction, your contractor is working in your interest, with the goal of restoring your home correctly and completely.

What documentation does my insurance company need?

Every carrier has specific documentation requirements, but most require at minimum a detailed written scope of work itemizing all damage by location and trade, photographic documentation of all damage areas, a cost estimate broken down by scope line item, and contractor credentials confirming licensure and insurance. For larger losses, some carriers require additional documentation including engineering reports, cause-of-loss statements, and moisture mapping. We produce documentation that meets the standard of every major carrier serving the Clanton area -- which means fewer back-and-forth requests and faster claim review.

How long does the insurance claim process take?

Timeline depends on the carrier, the complexity of the loss, the quality of the initial documentation, and whether supplement claims are required. A well-documented claim submitted to a responsive carrier can move from initial assessment to authorization in two to four weeks. Complex claims involving total losses, structural engineering requirements, or significant supplemental damage can take longer. The most common cause of claim delays is incomplete initial documentation -- which is why our assessment and documentation process is thorough before we submit anything to an adjuster. We communicate clearly on timeline at every stage so you always know where the claim stands.

What is a supplement claim?

A supplement claim is filed when damage discovered during demolition or reconstruction was not captured in the original approved scope. It is a standard part of the restoration process -- adjusters assess from the surface and cannot observe what is behind walls or beneath floors without demolition. When additional damage is found, we document it and submit a supplement to your carrier before performing the additional work. Every item of supplemental work is authorized before it is built. We manage the supplement process completely on your behalf with no surprise bills.

What if my claim is denied?

A claim denial is not necessarily final. Most residential property damage claims are denied for one of three reasons -- a determination that the damage is not covered under the policy, a determination that the cause of loss is excluded, or insufficient documentation of the damage or cause. We review denial notices with homeowners and identify whether the denial is based on a coverage exclusion or on a documentation deficiency. If the denial is based on insufficient documentation, we work through the re-inspection and re-documentation process to address it. If the denial involves a coverage dispute, we can provide the documentation support needed for the formal appeal process and can advise on the option of engaging a licensed public adjuster for coverage disputes that require advocacy beyond what a contractor provides.

Can Recon Reconstruction help me if I already accepted a settlement I believe was too low?

It depends on the specific situation and how much time has passed since the settlement. In many cases, a settlement can be reopened if additional damage is discovered during construction that was not reflected in the original scope -- the supplement claim process does not expire simply because an initial settlement was accepted. If you accepted a settlement and then hired a contractor who discovered significant additional damage during demolition, contact us. We assess the situation and advise honestly on whether the supplement route is viable given the specifics of your claim. We do not make promises we cannot keep, but we do not tell homeowners to absorb costs that their coverage should address without at least evaluating whether there is a path.

How do I start an insurance claim for property damage in Alabama?

The first step is notifying your insurance carrier as soon as possible after the damage event. Most carriers have a 24-hour claims reporting line. When you call, you will be given a claim number and assigned an adjuster. From that point, call Recon Reconstruction at 205-955-0807. We will schedule an assessment, begin documentation, and be present or available when the adjuster visits. Do not clean up, throw away damaged materials, or make permanent repairs before the adjuster has assessed the damage -- doing so can affect your claim coverage. Temporary protective measures -- tarping, board-up -- are appropriate and documented as mitigation expenses.

Starting an Insurance Claim in Clanton or Chilton County?

Call Kyle McRae directly at 205-955-0807. We handle the documentation, the adjuster, and the rebuild so you can focus on your family while we manage the process.

Insurance Agents and Adjusters Refer Your Clanton Area Policyholders

Contact Kyle McRae at info@reconreconstruction.com or 205-955-0807 to discuss establishing a referral relationship for Clanton and Chilton County policyholders.