If you’ve had water damage in your home or if you need a restoration contractor here’s what nobody tells: the person who shows up to assess your home after a flood isn’t working for you.

They’re working for the insurance company.

Memphis knows water damage. In May 2011, the Mississippi River reached its highest level since 1937, causing over $2 billion in damage across the region. More recently, in April 2025, Memphis faced a flash flood emergency with catastrophic flooding sweeping through the area. If you’re a homeowner in the Bluff City, water damage isn’t a matter of if—it’s a matter of when.

And when it happens, you need to understand something critical: your insurance adjuster has a different ending in mind for your story than you do.

The Character You Need to Understand

Insurance adjusters are good people doing their jobs. But their job isn’t to get you back to where you were. Their job is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line while staying within the bounds of your policy. They’re trained negotiators with one objective: minimize payout.

You, on the other hand, need your home restored. You need to know that the water that soaked into your walls won’t grow mold in six months. You need to understand if your foundation was compromised. You need someone fighting for your best interests, not the insurance company’s quarterly earnings.

This is where most Memphis homeowners make their first mistake. They trust the adjuster’s assessment without question. They accept the initial estimate. They think, “Well, this person is a professional, so they must know what’s best.”

But here’s the truth: you wouldn’t let opposing counsel represent you in court. Why would you let the insurance company’s representative be your only voice after water damage?

Enter the Guide: Your Restoration Contractor

A qualified restoration contractor is your guide in this story. They know what water damage really looks like—not just on the surface, but behind walls, under floors, and in places insurance adjusters might conveniently overlook.

Flash flooding is common in Memphis, especially in spring and summer months, with smaller rivers like the Wolf and Loosahatchie able to rise quickly with little warning. When water invades your home, whether from river flooding, flash floods, or burst pipes, the damage runs deeper than wet carpet and stained drywall.

A restoration contractor documents everything. They use moisture meters, thermal imaging, and industry-standard assessment tools. They know building codes. They understand how water travels through a structure. Most importantly, they work for you—not for an insurance company trying to close your claim quickly and cheaply.

Two Steps That Change Everything

If you want to ensure your insurance company handles your water damage claim properly, here are two critical steps:

First, hire your own restoration contractor immediately. Don’t wait for the adjuster. Get a professional assessment from someone whose paycheck depends on your satisfaction, not on saving the insurance company money. This contractor will document the full extent of damage and provide a comprehensive estimate that reflects reality, not a minimized version of it.

Second, never accept the first settlement offer. Insurance companies often lowball initial offers, hoping you’ll accept out of desperation or ignorance. With your restoration contractor’s detailed assessment in hand, you have leverage. You have documentation. You have proof of what restoration actually costs in the Memphis market.

Remember, your insurance policy is a contract. You’ve paid premiums—sometimes for decades—for coverage in moments exactly like this. You’re not asking for charity. You’re asking for what you’re owed.

The Stakes Are Real In Water Damage Restoration

Most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, which means when you do have coverage for water damage, every dollar matters. Accepting an inadequate settlement doesn’t just cost you money—it costs you safety, property value, and peace of mind.

Mold grows within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Structural damage compounds over time. What looks like a simple cleanup can hide thousands of dollars in necessary repairs that won’t become obvious until months later—long after your claim is closed.

The Resolution Memphis Homeowners Deserve

You deserve a home that’s truly restored, not just superficially patched. You deserve to sleep at night knowing your walls aren’t hiding mold or rotted studs. You deserve an advocate who understands that your home isn’t just a policy number—it’s where your family lives.

The next time Memphis faces flooding—and it will—don’t face it alone. Hire a restoration contractor who works for you. Document everything. Question everything. And never forget that the insurance adjuster sitting across from you has a boss who measures success differently than you do.

Your home is worth fighting for. Make sure you have the right guide in the fight.