"Where am I going to live tonight?" It is one of many questions racing through the mind of an insured who has just suffered a loss, whether there was a fire or flood in their home or damage resulting from a larger catastrophe.

What is not immediately top of mind is what they are going to wear tomorrow. Or the next day. Or even the next week.

There is no doubt that garments and other fabric items in a home have become a large and fast-growing part of a contents claim. Simply consider the value of what's in your closet. If you are like most Americans, you have at least one closet filled with clothes, shoes, belts and other garments. A typical family can accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in clothing in just a few short years. In fact, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Americans spent more than $338 billion on clothes and shoes in 2010—more than furnishings and durable household equipment ($258.5 billion), recreational goods and vehicles ($335.5 billion), and nearly as much as motor vehicles and parts ($345 billion). Also, consider the value of window treatments, bedding, towels, purses and sentimental items, whether a wedding gown or cherished heirloom.

The impact of this situation affects countless contents claims across the U.S., leading to increased severity for insurers. Fortunately, as the textile restoration niche has become a common component and standardized service when dealing with contents losses, claims managers and adjusters are recognizing the benefits and capabilities of a textile specialist for everyday loss situations, such as a small fire or broken water pipe, as well as large losses and special situations. On average, the restoration of garments and other textiles reduces severity by 80 percent compared to replacement. Beyond the cost savings, a professional textile specialist also can have a meaningful impact on customer satisfaction by providing fast response and empathy that demonstrate action by the carrier to the insured.