Change is—and will always be—a part of life. Throughout history, we have seen examples of those who embraced change and remained relevant, and those who rejected change and became irrelevant.

The insurance restoration industry has seen its fair share of change over the last decade. From drying-in-place technology to thermal imaging; mold remediation methods to ultrasonic cleaning—and an array of other innovations—there have been significant technological advancements improving the way claims are settled and, ultimately, how P&C insurers are able to serve their policyholders. Restoration contractors, suppliers, insurers, and other industry professionals have adopted developing technologies and adapted to different approaches in order to continue to meet the high level of service that customers currently expect.

One realm that is in the midst of rapid change is soft contents restoration. Emerging technologies have enabled the restoration of goods that would otherwise have been considered lost forever. Moreover, these technologies are impacting all elements of the claim settlement process, including the kinds of items that can be salvaged, the type of contamination that can be cleaned, settlement times and overall claims costs, the level of service delivered by restoration professionals, and, ultimately, the satisfaction levels of the policyholders. As has been shown time and again, a dissatisfactory claims experience can cause even the most loyal policyholder to explore new carrier options. Thus, quick, effective restoration plays a crucial role in retention.