Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?

Standard homeowners policies include a duty to mitigate: you are expected to take reasonable steps to stop damage from getting worse. Waiting a day or two for an adjuster before extracting standing water works against you twice — the damage spreads (mold can begin within 24–48 hours), and the delay itself can complicate the claim.

The right order for an active loss: stop the source if you safely can, get a mitigation crew moving, photograph everything before cleanup, and call your carrier the same day to open the claim. The restoration company’s moisture logs, photos, and itemized documentation become the evidence your adjuster works from.

One caution: you choose your restoration contractor — your carrier can recommend a preferred vendor, but Michigan homeowners are not required to use one. Pick the crew you want in your house, then keep the carrier informed at every step.