Guide

Who pays for the cleanup?

Usually more than one source is involved, and the order matters. The short version: ask your insurer, keep every receipt, and if there was a violent crime, apply to the state's compensation program.

Call (401) 498-1593

Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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The usual sources

Crime Victim Compensation Program: Lists crime scene cleaning among the expenses it reimburses after a violent crime in Rhode Island. Victims may apply, and so may dependents and immediate family of homicide victims. Report the crime to police within 15 days; apply within three years. It pays what insurance and other sources do not. Crime Victim Compensation Program, Office of the General Treasurer: (401) 462-7655 (program page).
Homeowner or renter insurance: Policies differ. Some cover sudden events inside the home, and some limit or exclude this kind of cleanup. Call your insurer before work starts. Ask whether it is covered, and what photos and paperwork they want.
The landlord: In a rental, the building is the owner's. Tenants should tell the landlord or manager straight away. Rental properties goes into more detail.
The estate: After a death, the estate of the person who died may pay for cleaning their home. The executor or administrator will want the invoice for the estate's records.
Auto insurance: For a vehicle, ask the auto insurer. Policies differ here too.

What drives the price

Cleanup companies price by the job, so a figure without an inspection means little. What changes the price:

How large an area is affected, and how many rooms.
How long before it was found. Time lets fluids reach subfloors and walls.
What has to be removed: carpet and pad only, or also flooring, plaster or drywall.
How much waste there is to pack and take away.
Access. A third-floor unit up narrow stairs takes longer than a ground-floor room.
Whether rebuilding is needed afterwards.

Ask for the price in writing before work starts, and for an itemized invoice at the end. Both the compensation program and insurers will want to see what was done.

Keep these together

The police report number.
Photos of the damage, taken before cleaning if possible.
The written price and the final invoice.
Your insurer's claim number, if you open one.
Letters from the compensation program.

When you are ready, one call is enough

You will speak with an independent biohazard cleanup company that works around Providence. Say what happened in your own words, ask what they would do and how they price it, then decide. Nothing is agreed until you say yes.

Speak with an independent cleanup company