Data Recovery
Recovering Data from Fire and Water-Damaged Electronics
What Are Data Recovery in Specialty Contents Restoration?
Data recovery in a restoration context is the retrieval of accessible data from electronic storage devices damaged by fire, smoke, water, or power events. Unlike a standalone IT recovery service, Prism’s data recovery process is integrated into the specialty contents restoration workflow, with documentation and reporting designed specifically to support insurance claims.
Data recovery services are initiated when fire and smoke, water and lightning strike events affect electronics containing storage media, including computers, servers, external drives, and other business-critical devices. Recovery is evaluated on-site and coordinated with the broader restoration workflow from the outset.
How Prism's Data Recovery Process Works
Prism’s data recovery process follows a structured sequence designed to protect storage media, document recovery outcomes, and provide adjusters with a clear record of what was recovered and what was not.
Initial Diagnostic Assessment
When electronics containing storage media arrive at Prism’s facility, technicians evaluate the physical condition of the device and storage components before any recovery attempt begins. This assessment helps determine whether standard recovery procedures, specialist recovery methods, or third-party forensic services are required.
Recovery Scope Aligned with the Insurance Claim
Within a restoration engagement, data recovery is focused on business-critical and personally significant information rather than an exhaustive forensic extraction of all stored content. Recovery objectives are established in coordination with the property owner and adjuster to ensure the work aligns with claim priorities and restoration goals.
Documentation for the Claim Record
Recovery outcomes are documented as part of the claim file. Reporting may include the condition of the storage media, the extent of successful recovery, and any data that remains inaccessible. This allows adjusters to evaluate both the physical device and its associated data within a single claim framework.
Coordination with Electronics Restoration
Whenever possible, data recovery is performed alongside physical electronics restoration. This coordinated approach helps streamline the process, reducing the need for separate vendors while providing a unified reporting package covering both the device and its recoverable data.
Why Data Recovery Matters for Insurance Claims
When a business or property owner loses access to data stored on fire, water, smoke, or power-damaged devices, the impact often extends beyond the replacement value of the hardware itself. Business records, operational data, customer information, project files, photographs, and personal documents may all carry significant value. Prism’s documented data recovery process provides adjusters with a clear record of what was recovered, what remains unrecoverable, and how data loss affects the overall claim. This supports more informed claim evaluations and a more complete understanding of the loss.
Data recovery runs alongside these specialty restoration services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Prism can evaluate a wide range of storage devices affected by fire, smoke, water, or power events, including desktop computers, laptops, servers, external hard drives, solid-state drives, and other electronic devices containing storage media. Recovery feasibility depends on the extent of damage and the condition of the storage components.
Learn More About How We Work
Data recovery is coordinated as part of Prism’s specialty contents restoration process. See how the full workflow supports claim documentation from intake through return.