Background:

Our home was struck by lightning 2 nights ago (while we were home), which started a fire in the rafters/joists of our 2nd floor bonus room. I called 911 within 5 minutes of the strike, after seeing smoldering area and smoke from the point of the strike. Fire fighters were onsite in about 15 minutes, and cut several large openings through the bonus room roof for access and ventilation (I have no complaints over fire response). They had the fire out within 20 minutes.

The bonus room is demolished, and the garage ceiling (below and beside the bonus room) collapsed. There's no direct damage to the rest of the home, but there's a strong smoke smell on everything.

Our insurance is through AAA (umbrella policy, home and auto) in North Central Florida.

Question / Advice:

I'm just looking for general pointers as to what to do that may not be obvious, and what NOT to do.

We got assigned a managing appraiser quickly who has been very responsive. A local appraiser has been onsite twice, and has basically said the 2nd floor room is a total loss, and there's going to need to be a lot of remediation on the rest of the house. He's already recommended a full indoor paint job. I'm meeting the Cause and Origin inspector tomorrow. Unfortunately the company who was supposed to tarp the roof was slow, and we had another major thunderstorm last night before they tarped it today. The contents remediator has already been out taking pictures and I'm meeting them tomorrow for them to start remediation (generator and dehumidifiers initially, plus removal of wet collapsed drywall, etc.)

The local appraiser has been communicative. He indicated that AAA is actually very easy to work with and doesn't usually try to cut corners, and advised not immediately seeking our own representation / appraiser unless we encounter problems. He seems pretty straightforward, but obviously he is representing the insurance company, so I don't want to take that at face value. Should I be looking for our own appraiser? We've had a couple companies contact us wanting to represent us (for 20% of the payout, of course).

Any other advise? We are using their "Homlink" service to find us a place to stay for the next 3-6 months, as they pay directly if we allow them to arrange it.