After the Fire, Flood, or Storm: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
When disaster strikes a commercial property in Boston — whether it’s from a fire, flood, or severe storm — the first 48 hours are critical. Every decision made during this short window affects how quickly your property recovers, how much your insurer ultimately pays, and how well you protect your long-term investment.
At Seltser & Goldstein Public Adjusters, we represent property owners, developers, and real estate investors across Greater Boston and New England through every step of the insurance claim process — from the first emergency call to the final settlement.
Our mission is simple: to manage your recovery so you can focus on your business..
Step 1: Immediate Mitigation and Site Control
When a loss occurs in Boston, the clock starts ticking. New England’s unpredictable weather can make secondary damage worse overnight, and insurance policies require you to “take all reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage.”
Typical first 48-hour actions include:
- Securing the property (board-up, fencing, temporary barriers) to protect against winter weather or further storm exposure
- Stopping active water intrusion and preventing additional loss
- Stabilizing the environment to prevent mold, smoke, or corrosion spread
- Coordinating emergency vendors and documenting every expense
How We Help
Our Boston-based public adjusters coordinate emergency mitigation immediately — board-up, water extraction, temporary power, environmental stabilization — and document every action under “Duties After Loss.” This ensures compliance with your policy and positions you for full reimbursement.
✅ Pro Tip: Boston’s freeze-thaw cycles can worsen water damage fast. Acting quickly protects both your claim and your property.
Step 2: Moisture Mapping and Forensic Documentation
Hidden damage is one of the top reasons Boston commercial insurance claims are underpaid or denied. Moisture trapped behind walls, in ceilings, or under flooring after a Nor’easter or pipe break can compromise the structure long after surface cleanup.
Examples of hidden damage in New England buildings:
- Water migration behind historic brick and plaster walls
- Smoke and soot penetrating HVAC systems during winter fires
- Wind-driven rain infiltration common in coastal storms
How We Help
We use advanced tools — thermal imaging, moisture meters, and Matterport 3D mapping — to capture every inch of damage. This forensic documentation aligns with IICRC S500 restoration standards, ensuring you can replace affected materials rather than just clean them.
Every image, map, and reading becomes part of your claim file — critical evidence when negotiating with carriers.
✅ Pro Tip: Massachusetts building codes often require additional remediation once hidden moisture is found. Proper documentation is key to coverage.
Step 3: Writing and Presenting the Claim
Once mitigation and documentation are complete, your insurer expects a formal Proof of Loss supported by detailed repair and replacement estimates. On commercial properties in Boston — especially older structures or mixed-use buildings — these claims can be extremely complex.
A strong claim package typically includes:
- Trade-specific cost estimates
- Depreciation and replacement schedules
- Code upgrade justifications tied to Massachusetts building codes
- Engineering and environmental reports
- Photo, moisture, and 3D documentation
How We Help
Our in-house team handles everything — writing, organizing, and presenting your entire claim to carrier standards. By controlling the technical details, we reduce delays and disputes, putting you in a stronger position from the start.
✅ Pro Tip: A complete and properly formatted claim can accelerate your Boston insurance settlement by weeks or even months.
Step 4: Scope Negotiation and Carrier Collaboration
Insurance carriers often bring in consultants or engineers whose job is to minimize scope and pricing. For Boston commercial property owners, this can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars left on the table if you don’t have experienced representation.
Where disputes often arise:
- Replacement vs. repair of building systems
- Massachusetts code upgrades
- Pricing differences on labor and materials
- Business interruption timelines in high-density urban areas
How We Help
We meet directly with the insurer’s team — line by line — to defend your scope, justify replacement costs, and reference policy language. Our construction and claims experience gives you the leverage you need to secure a fair and accurate valuation of your loss.
✅ Pro Tip: On Boston’s older commercial buildings, code upgrades and hidden damage are often contested. Having experts negotiate for you pays off.
Step 5: Expediting Payment and Reconstruction
Even once your settlement is approved, payment delays can stall your project. Between insurance carriers, mortgage lenders, and contractors, Boston property owners often face a frustrating lag before they can rebuild.
How We Help
We coordinate directly with your lender, contractor, and insurance carrier to get funds released quickly. Our job doesn’t end with the settlement — we stay involved through reconstruction to ensure your building is restored and your business can resume operations.
✅ Pro Tip: Lender coordination in Boston’s commercial real estate market can be slow. Early communication prevents weeks of unnecessary delay.
The Bottom Line: Take Control in the First 48 Hours
The first 48 hours after a fire, flood, or storm in Boston are about more than reacting — they’re about taking control. Proper documentation, experienced representation, and strategic action can turn a disaster into a structured, fully funded recovery.
At Seltser & Goldstein Public Adjusters, we:
- ✅ Inspect and moisture-map every affected area
- ✅ Write and present the entire claim package
- ✅ Handle all adjuster meetings and negotiations
- ✅ Coordinate with your lender and contractor to expedite payment
When disaster strikes in Greater Boston, we don’t just file your claim — we manage your recovery from start to finish.
Seltser & Goldstein has a long history as a public adjusting Firm in New England. We made a commitment in 1935 when we opened our doors that our focus would be to educate and represent all our clients to the best of our ability.
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