Insurance

Natural disasters occur every day, all around the United States, whether it is a tropical storm, a hurricane, a tornado, landslides, water surges, and more. When citizens live in states that are prone to natural disasters, they face the unknown. Being in the hurricane season, Florida is now in the midst of tropical storms and hurricanes. Last year, being one of the numerous hurricanes that made landfall and cost billions of dollars in damages, Irma being a remembered hurricane, homeowners must fear what this year will bring. The most important thing that should be considered foremost is the lives of those living in those homes. If a hurricane is to strike, families should consider leaving their homes and ensuring that their well-being is kept safe. At the end of the day, a life cannot be replaced. Specialized public adjusters that practice in Florida can help guide their clients and grasps the issue at-hand to ensure that the home owner’s insurance policy covers them and compensates them if a tropical storm or hurricane were to be the cause of their home sustaining damages.

Remember, the property comes and goes, but lives can’t.

In order to acquire the best out of the situation, a homeowner must go through a series of steps prior to submitting a claim for a natural disaster like a hurricane. Filing a claim is not as simple as 1,2,3. Each claim is unique and may require specifics and specific requirements before being able to be processed. If a claim is improperly filed, the homeowner who is claiming the damages may lose their chances of being able to recuperate the losses that they suffered. That is a horrible situation that the professional public adjuster in Florida do not want them to go through.

Types of Hurricane Coverages

Before filing a claim for a natural disaster, one should know what is covered under their policy for natural disaster. There are three different types of hurricane coverage, including:

• Deductibles for windstorm: This coverage refers to damages acquired as a result of tropical storms, winter storms, and other storms that comprise wind damage.
• Deductibles for a named storm: This coverage covers damages that come from storms that have been named, for example, tropical storms.
• Deductibles for hurricanes: This coverage is only present for storms that have been deemed to be of Category 1 or higher when they have struck land. Reviewing each policy is advisable because the laws pertaining to each of these coverages are different per each state.

Why is a public adjuster important for a Hurricane Claim?

It is crucial to understand the differences and know what is covered through these coverage’s. Public adjusters can help decipher the legal jargon that is embedded with these sometimes, overburden policies. What coverage do you have? Is it sufficient for your needs?

What Can Be Done by You

Because every state has its own laws, and every claim that is made for a natural disaster is different, the policyholder should do certain things to ensure that they are covered prior to a hurricane. Some things that a homeowner can do include:

• Taking Flood Insurance into consideration
• Adjust the limits you have for every deductible and learn which those are
• Have your home, business, and family prepared for the storm that lies ahead
• Find out the relevancy to the named storms that occur in the state you live

Asking if hail or wind deductible is present within the limits of their policy

After a Disaster Has Manifested, These Steps To Claim Insurance Should Be Taken

In order to ensure that the proper response and the best possible outcome are attained from the matter, the insured must take immediate action by performing these following critical steps preceding a natural disaster that will assist them during the claims process:

Step 1: Assessing the Damages of Your Home Properly

Assessing the property is the first step to correctly filing a claim. The entire property must be adequately evaluated to obtain an accurate estimation. Not accurately assess the property can result in an underestimate or overestimate. Either way, those are two situations you do not want to find yourself in when you are trying to seek relief from natural disasters. Taking pictures of the losses that have been suffered is an accurate way to assess the property accurately.

Step 1a – Items you can use to document damages which are viable for insurance companies:

• Images: High quality images, preferably anything above 4 mega pixels – Modren smart phone or cameras can do this.
• Video: High quality videos, anything that records above 480p resolution – Camcorders, smart phone can do that with no problem.
• Documentation: Ensure the damages are well written and detailed, you can do this electronically or hand written, preferably digitally – PDF or DOCX format.

Step 2: Policy

One thing to keep in mind is that every insurance policy varies from person and household, which emphasizes that reviewing your current policy is crucial. Many individuals will consider this action as the very first step that they should take when filing a claim, but it is in fact, the second one that should be taken. Once the initial phase of collecting evidence for all the damages that have been endured by taking pictures, then you can go through your policy and review the full extent of the details and figure out which deductibles are inclusive and which are not. There have been situations where the policyholder had to pay for the repairs of their home because the losses they incurred were not within the limits of their deductibles.

Step 2a – How to properly review your insurance policy

When attempting to decipher all the insurance legal jargon you can use a glossary to obtain definitions – click here for more information

If you go to section “types of hurricane claims” you can get a good definition of hurricane deductibles.

Step 2b – Important insurance coverage sections

• Additional coverage
• Premium coverage
• Exclusions

Warning: You should always consult the help of a public adjuster or attorney when trying to understand your policy.

Step 3: Ensuring that Before the Storm, Proof of Property Exists

This step is extremely crucial as you can fail to show proof of the state of the property and items within the home before the storm, while having done step one and step two already.  Having evidence of this will make the claim process much more manageable. It’s imperative to take pictures in advance of all the items of importance in the home beforehand as a preventative measure. Especially if you live in an area where hurricanes often hit or in an area where there are tornadoes or floods as such, then the first thing to be done is to make sure that pictures of all the valuables are kept somewhere safe.

Step 3a: Who should have proof of your property

• Realtor’s
• Tax Assessor’s
• Title company
• Escrow company
• Recorders Office

Step 3b: What documents can show proof of property

• Bill of sale
• Deed of trust
• Quit claim deed
• Mortgage Note
• Satisfaction of Mortgage Letter

Step 4: Contact The Insurance Broker

The insurance company will more than likely send an assessor out to the property in question. By contracting a public adjuster, they will help you by arguing the claim of you before the insurance company. The Public Adjuster will not seek to protect the insurance but rather the individual or the company that has the claim before an insurance company. Knowing the role of this person will make your claim a lot easier. Typically, people will not realize until the damage has been done, meaning they will not recognize these figures until they are in need of one.

Learn more about the differences between adjusters and lawyers

Step 5: Knowing The ins and out of the Insurance Claim

Knowing whether the damages done to your home were sudden or accidental is imperative to file the proper claim. See, most insurance companies will try to deny the way the losses happened, and they will always protect their best interest in this case “money.” However, every claim is different; therefore, it is essential to know the correct terminology when dealing with an insurance claim. Understanding your policy and legal jargon associated with your insurance claim and save you many headaches. Seeking for public adjusters who are experts in home insurance is always a piece of advice that we offer.

Step 6: Recap The First Five

If you are seeking reimbursement of the insurance company and are attempting to recover the money yourself you can; however, it is not ideal especially when you have public adjusters and attorneys at your disposal who are willing to help. Ensuring that the proper documentation is given, having the right estimation of damages and handymen who are eager to provide their professional input on the matter will become the basis of your insurance claim.

 The steps mentioned above have no particular order, but at least you have a firm understanding of the essential information you need to file your claim. It’s always suggested hiring a licensed public adjuster to help you file an insurance claim against your insurance company to help to save time and complications which may arise from fighting with your insurance company because they will fight and try to low-ball their insurers.

Recent Most Impactful Hurricanes in the United States

Living in certain areas like Florida brings its luxuries, but residents are also faced with the possibility of a potent natural disaster like a hurricane each year. These are some recent hurricanes that have blasted through the state of Florida in the last 30 years that have killed many and brought an enormous loss for the state:

September 16-30, 2017 – Maria

Hurricane Maria became a Category 5 that hit the Dominican Republic and then struck Puerto Rico as a Category 4. The death toll in Puerto Rico came to 64, but many reports have found that there may have been more deaths; as a result, as many as 1,000. The damages well exceeded 90 billion, and residents in Puerto Rico are still living with the effects of this hurricane. In fact, many of them are still living without any power. In addition to deaths in Puerto Rico, this major storm took lives in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and St. Thomas.

August 30 – September 12, 2017– Irma

Hurricane Irma was a Category 5 storm that made several landfalls, including the northern Caribbean and southwest Florida. This devastating hurricane struck the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm. 44 people were pronounced dead as a consequence of this storm within Florida and the Caribbean. The storm resulted in the evacuation of 6 million people all across Florida. 50 billion dollars in damages arose from Irma.

August 17 – September 1, 2017 – Harvey

This Hurricane, Harvey, strung along Texas for a total of four days. Bringing on floods and an abundance of water, it made landfall as a category 4, and to-date has caused the most amount of damages, equaling 128 billion dollars. This storm earned the name as the storm that has brought on the most rainfall in the time-frame of 6 days, a total of 27 trillion gallons. Storm-related fatalities for Texas was at 68.

October 22-29, 2012 – Sandy

Hurricane Sandy, although not so high in Category (3) was very disastrous. It caused 147 deaths combined in various locations like the United States, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and Canada. It cost 65 billion dollars in damages.

These intense storms go to show that one must take action to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of a natural disaster. The number of lives that can be lost and the number of damages that the state can sustain will never compare to one’s well-being.

When a Disaster Is Near, Our Public Adjusters Do Not Fear

A public adjuster can do a considerable amount of good for their clients. Not only are they best qualified for property losses and damages, but they also sympathize with their clients because they know what it is to lose it all. They deal with individuals who have faced what many people would never encounter in their lifetime. They know that in a matter of seconds, a whole home could be lost. A public adjuster in Florida will utilize their expertise to ensure that their clients’ feelings are considered during the entire process. Get in communication with one of our skilled public adjusters; we are only a phone call away.

References:

• http://blog.ecbm.com/faq-hurricane-insurance-coverage-and-named-storm-endorsements
• https://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/americas/hurricane-statistics-fast-facts/index.html

This is a question that is asked by many homeowners because they usually do not understand the entire scope of their policies. When homeowners have damage to their roofs that causes leaks, they might wonder whether the leak will be covered by their homeowner’s insurance policy. Most insurance policies will pay for damage to roofs, depending on what caused it. When a homeowner wants to make a claim, a public adjuster may inspect the roof damage and determine its cause and extent. When dealing with claims done to an insurance company, a public adjuster can represent the claimant throughout the whole process.

Every case of property damage is unique. A roof that has been damaged because of pure negligence from the owner may not be a reason to recover for it, whereas, it is having been damaged because of a hurricane that came striking at 120mph and lifted the roof off or an object falling on top of it. There are many variables that are linked with what gets covered and why it gets covered in a home insurance policy. Due to there being many factors, consulting with a public adjuster can help bring all these questions to clarity is a smart move.

Coverage for Roof Leaks

When people notice that their roofs are leaking, they might want to review their homeowner’s insurance policies to see what is covered and what is excluded. Some causes of damage to roofs may be explicitly excluded in the insurance policies. For example, if the loss is determined by the public adjuster to have been caused by the homeowner’s failure to maintain the roof, the homeowner may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket because any damage that comes from a lack of maintenance or negligence by the policyholder will not be refunded. While insurance companies have a responsibility to pay for damages, homeowners have the responsibility to prevent them, when possible.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover damage to roofs and to the homeowner’s belongings that are caused by what are called open perils. These are unexpected events that cause roof damage such as lightning strikes, hail, wind, hurricanes or fire. People are able to check their policies to see a list of the open perils that their policies cover. Other hazards that are not covered by homeowner’s insurance policies may also be listed as exclusions. These might include such things as damage caused by floods, insect infestations, negligent maintenance and warping caused by foundation problems. An essential element in reducing the stress, time wasted, and money spent is learning what is excluded and what is included in one’s home insurance policy. No one wants to be surprised when the time comes that their homes need repairs.

Typical Causes for Roof Leaks

Roof leaks can happen because of many different reasons, while some could be just nature, some others could be avoidable. These are some common reasons why roofs tend to leak:

There are many other reasons why a roof gets to the point of leaking. An owner needs to regularly maintain their roofs and ensure that any losses that are preventable remain well-kept. No owner wants to come to learn that their insurance companies will not have their backs.

Identifying Roof Leaks

Finding roof leaks early is vital to prevent damage to people’s property. Identifying the source of the leaks can be difficult, however. Water may trickle down the slope of the roof and enter in a different area. People should start by inspecting their roofs and looking for any obvious entry points such as loosened shingles. If they can’t find where the water is entering, they can examine their attics to look for damp areas. If people do not find any cracks or entry points for water leaks, they might have plumbing leaks instead of leaking roofs.

It may be difficult for someone to identify a roof leak if they have no experience at all with home repairs. The specific leak that is present could be determined by a public adjuster, along with knowing if that leak is covered by the homeowner’s insurance or not. When in doubt, seek help. It is better than not doing things correctly and eventually having to pay more in the long run. These things should be done to identify roof leaks:

• Inspect on a monthly basis
• Call in a professional to determine any leaks
• Apparent signs of leakage need immediate attention

Ways in Preventing Roof Leaks

The best way to avoid any damages or to have to deal with an insurance company is preventing the whole problem altogether. Preventing roof leaks can save a homeowner from a massive headache and wasted time. In areas where rain is abundant, and floods are prevalent, wanting to prevent a leak should be on the priority list because one small leak in these areas can turn into a disaster. These are some ways that one can prevent roof leaks:

• Have a professional inspect roof
• Be vigilant for roof flashings
• Ventilation should not be blocked
• Downspouts and gutters should be kept clean and free of blockage
• Maintain objects like trees that could damage the roof away from the property
• Shingles that are torn or missing should be immediately replaced

These are some recommendations that every homeowner should take, especially those who live in the most prone flooded state: Florida

Numbers on Roof Damage

Rook leaks are a common damage that homeowners experience and one that is often not covered because an owner was negligent in not maintaining their home, known as what would be “gradual damage.” If the damage happened overtime and could have been prevented with immediate repairs, then a policyholder would most likely not be able to recover the damages that have been done. These are some facts and statistics on roof damage:

• An average of $1,000 to $4,000 is the average that it cost to repair the standard 2200-2600 square foot home. If done by a professional, the prices range from $2,000to $8,500; they charge per patch of roof, known as squares.
• Hailstorms are known to cause billions of dollars in damages. In fact, in 2006, Indiana experienced 1.3 billion dollars of roof damage by a hailstorm
• Roofs are often the culprit of water intrusion; making up 40% of it
• Roofs only maintain their structure about half of the time they were intended to, meaning if someone tells you that your roof should last 20 years, in reality, it will only maintain itself for 10

Due to the number of tornadoes and hurricanes that Florida is faced with every year, hail is very possible and has been seen in Florida in recent times. Hail is the number one cause for roof damages and has known to be to cause billions of damages in roof repair throughout various states.

Damage Claim Roof Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How Could I tell whether I have a viable roof claim or not?

Answer: In most cases, signs of damage to a roof are often hidden to the eye, making it difficult to spot that any damage actually exists, leading the damage to develop even more over time. While it may be hard to spot, these are some signs that a homeowner could watch out for that may indicate that there is a presence of roof damage: loose shingles, spots that are dark on the roof, granules that have been knocked off, stains on walls, water spots on walls, water around windows, and more. An insurance companies’ adjuster will try to immediate deny a roof claim without even doing the investigation that it deserves, making the usage of a public adjuster essential.

Question: Would I be Required to tarp my roof if a storm blew off some shingles and water seeping in is of a great possibility?

Answer: Because it is a problem that was noticed immediately before the water even came into the home, yes, the owner would have to tarp their roof to prevent further damage because that is what the insurance company would want them to do. If the owner fails to prevent further damage when they could have, it could jeopardize any claim for roof damage. If damage could be prevented, the owner must take action. It would be essential to learn of owner’s responsibilities when dealing with damages to their home.

Question: Will roof damage be covered for a roof that was in bad shape initially yet it was left neglected from water damage and roof damage?

Answer: A viable roof claim would most likely not occur, but a claim for water damage may exist. Most insurance policies exclude wear and tear and damages resulting from maintenance. This refers to items that have reached their intended time of use or that were not maintained as they should have been cannot be recovered. If an owner does not meet their responsibilities by keeping their homes up-to-date, their lack of maintenance will not be recovered.

Question: How Should I handle filing a claim for damage to my roof when dents were caused on it because of a hailstorm, but I am unsure whether this will lead to any leaks?

Answer: Elements such as wind, rain, or snow are known to eventually cause roofs that are made of asphalt or other materials to have loose granules, which will subsequently lead to leaky roofs. For this matter, if the above occurs, a claim should be filed as soon as possible.

Question: I have a leaking roof claim that was denied by the claim adjuster even though they did not inspect my roof. Could this denied claim be overturned by a public adjuster?

Answer: The simple answer is yes. If a roof was not thoroughly investigated by the claim adjuster, a skilled public adjuster could assess the problem and get you’re the settlement you deserve. A roof leak can come from an issue that is not visible, which means that any roof leak damage claim must be thoroughly inspected. A public adjuster could provide a second option and obtain a fair settlement. Get help today.

The Help That Can Be Provided by a Public Adjuster

Depending upon the extent of the damage, a roof that is leaking can cost a few hundred to several thousands of dollars to fix. If the entire roof needs to be re-shingled, people may expect the repair to cost an estimated $5,000. When people are getting ready to make a significant claim with their insurance companies for roof damage, getting help from a public adjuster is crucial. Many claim adjusters will not even inspect the roofs as they should and will just deny the claim. As a practiced adjuster, they would take over the negotiation process with the insurance company and work to recover the maximum amount for the damage. Public adjusters can determine what caused the roof damage to prove to the insurance company that the cause was a cover-able event under the policyholder’s contract. When people try to deal with the insurance companies on their own, the companies may dispute the claims, deny them outright or try to make offers that are unreasonably low to pay for the damage that was caused. The fact that a homeowner may not entirely know all the laws and legal jargon’s associated with their contract, insurance companies will thrive on this lack of knowledge.

Speaking with a public adjuster that has a proven record of won claims in Florida is a crucial element in winning and receiving a fair amount of money for any roof damage claim.

References:

• https://freshome.com/2014/10/07/the-10-most-common-causes-of-roof-leaks/
• https://altecroofing.com/prevent-roof-leaks/
• https://www.choicehomewarranty.com/home-cost-statistics/
• http://www.landlordstation.com/blog/16-tips-statistics-roofs-damaged-hail/
• http://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/when-it-leaks-it-pours_o

When homeowners suffer damage to their homes because of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or fires, their insurance companies may settle their claims so that their homes can be repaired. A public adjuster can represent the interests of homeowners to make certain that they can recover the maximum amount for their losses. After the public adjuster has negotiated a settlement for the homeowner, it is possible for a homeowner to complete the repairs to the property and to be reimbursed for his or her labor or materials costs once the claim has been settled. For the most part, it may take a while before being able to acquire the settlement amount, making the repairs stalled, but some homeowners choose to repair as soon as possible, having to take money out-of-pocket.

Thankfully, being reimbursed is a great possibility and seems extremely plausible in cases of disasters or other property losses that are insured through the homeowner’s policy. A public adjuster will ensure that their client is not being deceived and is fully reimbursed for any expenses they made outside of the settlement money if the homeowner abide by the contract and did not go against what their insurance company said. Before being fooled into thinking that one cannot be reimbursed, consult with a practiced public adjuster who would be able to use their knowledge to see if the homeowner merits reimbursement.

Reasoning Behind Why a Homeowner Takes it Upon Themselves To Make Repairs

The reduction of costs and quickly repairing a home after suffering damages might be two incentives that lead to a homeowner who is knowledgeable about construction and home repairs to decide to do it by themselves.  The claims process varies from company to company, so people should make sure that they know how it works with their own companies. A public adjuster can help homeowners through the claims process so that they can receive their checks.

Once a claim for damage is made to the insurance company, they will send a claims agent to inspect the damage and losses that their policyholder has suffered. The public adjuster may negotiate with the claims agent to secure a reasonable amount for the actual cash value (ACV) of the damaged property. Homeowners who have replacement cost value coverage can use their actual cash values as down payments for the repairs. They can then get estimates from a couple of different contractors in the area to submit to the insurance company. If the company allows homeowners to complete the repairs on their own, the company should reimburse the homeowners for their labor costs at a competitive rate. After the repairs have been completed, the homeowners then send certificates of completion to the insurance companies so that they can receive their reimbursement checks.

Electing to make home repairs by themselves is a decision that each homeowner will decide depending upon each unique case. These are some typical reasons why a homeowner chooses to repair their home on their own and then get reimbursed at a later stage:

• Cheaper repair costs
• Less hassle dealing with oneself than people sent by the insurance companies
• Quicker fixes
• More decision making

Every case is unique, and each property damage claim will require a specific road to take. If a homeowner decides to take matters into their own hands, they should consult with a public adjuster to make sure that everything is done in accordance with the contract and requirements of the claim.

Common Causes Why Home Repairs Are Needed

When a homeowner is faced with having to make repairs to their home or even as bad as completely losing it, they may be confused. They might consider repairing it themselves or having their insurance companies deal with the issue at hand. The repair of a home may be needed for a variety of reasons including:

• Tenant completely destroying property
• Wind damage from a tornado
• Water damage from floods
• Broken windows from flying objects
• Vandalism, and
• More

No matter the reason why, repairs are expensive and may take an extensive amount of time to complete.

Top Reasons Why Homeowners May Decide to Purchase a New Property

There are various reasons why a homeowner may decide to buy another home, either for their primary residence or as a business, and even maybe as a gift. These are some reasons why:

• Move into a nicer house
• Needing a home with more square feet
• Wanting to be closer to their families
• Unsatisfied with the current home they are in
• Being closer to their current jobs
• Total loss of their existing homes as a result of a disaster like a fire
• Wanting to acquire more homes to further their business of renting, and
• More

Whatever the reason may be, purchasing a home is no simple task. A home is linked with property insurance, of which each buyer must be aware of what it entails. An important aspect of repairing or purchasing a new home is learning of all the legal jargon tied to a property insurance contract, of which a skilled public adjuster could decode for their client.

Statistics on Home Improvement

Every year, thousands of homeowners are faced with losses, including but not limited to, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and even renters who left the property destroyed and dirty. But like every business, homeowners who rent lose and win. These are some statistics on home improvement:

• Between the year 2011 to 2015, an average of $2,760 was spent by homeowners for repairs
• Between the year 2001 to 2015, 340 billion dollars was used for improvement and repairs
• In the past 12 months, more home improvement repairs and home projects have been completed by millennials than any other age group

As noted above, a lot of money is wasted every year in repair homes. The causes as to why a repair must be done vary from every case.

Repairs That Should Never Be Put-Off

There are specific repairs that a home may need that should never be overlooked or left without repairing. If any of these damages are present within a homeowner home, they should immediately consider addressing these issues because the consequences of not taking action can lead to filing a claim for property damage:

• Damp basement; having a basement that is damp can lead to certain issues like mold. Mold can be a great hazard to one’s health.
• Rotting deck; rotting decks can make the structure unsafe which can lead to potential injuries
• Clogged gutters; ensuring that the gutters are not clogged can prevent a number of problems like leaking into the basement
• Wall or ceiling has waterspouts; if a wall or ceiling is showing signs of waterspouts, immediate action must be taken. This indicates that a water pipe is broken somewhere in the house
• Presence of termites; termites are little creators that can do an extensive amount of damage in a very short time period. For this matter, it is vital to address this problem immediately. They can cause the structure to weaken
• Peeling of caulking; caulking is in place to seal off any infiltration that can occur of water. If there are cracks or caulking that has peeled, it is crucial to cover this right away. By not doing so, water can infiltrate and cause mold under the tiles or windows
• Leaky faucet; A faucet that is turned off but continues leaking will not be fixed simply by closing the faucet tighter. In fact, that will only make problems worse and can even create a bigger leak issue
• The toilet is constantly running; Not only does this make a loud noise, but it wastes a lot of water. Making it harder on the homeowner’s pocket

Importance of being honest

People who decide to complete repairs on their homes themselves should be upfront about their intentions with the insurance company’s adjuster. The company may be okay with people completing repairs such as debris removal and cleanup or fixing damaged drywall. However, the companies may be less inclined to allow homeowners to complete extensive or dangerous repair work on their own. Before starting repairs, homeowners should also check their municipal ordinances to see if the work that is needed requires a license. Homeowners can negotiate to take care of the more menial tasks such as painting and trash removal while leaving more dangerous work such as wiring to the professionals.

One important rule that homeowners who intend to complete their own repairs should keep in mind is that they are not allowed to add a profit for what they do. It is fine for them to request reimbursement for their labor and overhead costs, but they cannot add additional amounts on top in order to gain a profit from their work.  In other words, homeowners cannot scam the insurance companies that are reimbursing them for their labor. If insurance companies find that the homeowner was compensated for $5,000, but they repaired their home for $3,000, they may be required to pay the $2,000 back to the insurance company.

Some insurance companies will allow homeowners to complete their own repairs after they make a damage claim. Homeowners may opt to do this to save money or when contractors may not be available for extended periods of time. A public adjuster may negotiate with the insurance company to secure reimbursement of the labor and materials costs for the repairs that the homeowners undertake themselves. Being honest in what their intentions are is essential in ensuring that their home repairs go as smooth as possible. If a public adjuster is by their side, they can assure themselves that the public adjuster will adequately negotiate what needs to be done with the insurance company. Don’t wait, speak with a public adjuster who can assist you with your home repairs and improvement today.

Do You Need to Repair Your Home?

Whether a policyholder chooses to repair their home after a major disaster, or other problem, ensuring that the correct steps are taken and that there is no illegal steps committed by the homeowner is crucial. If a homeowner is not honest with their insurances adjuster and decides to fix their homes, they may not be compensated. Insurance companies may allow a homeowner to fix their homes, but most likely just the aesthetic part of it. A home requiring electrical or plumbing repairs may be better suited to be handled by a professional in the field.  Knowing what options and rights a homeowner has after suffering property damage is essential to come to learn of. A public adjuster in the State of Florida that is experienced with many property losses cases could address a homeowner’s questions and concerns.

References:

• https://www.statista.com/statistics/681464/annual-home-improvement-spending-per-owner-usa-by-age/
• https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/true-cost-report/#currentspend
• https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/a28110/house-problems-to-fix-right-now/

When water damage is present in one’s home, one may not see what lies underneath. Numerous health hazards can come from mold that is left untreated. Mold could be present in one’s home, and the occupants may not even know this issue exists. Mold could present itself just by the mere fact of humidity, but picture a house being flooded, the mold is most likely to occur, especially if the water has not been drained properly. Mold not only damages a home, but it could also damage the health of each tenant.

People don’t usually worry about whether their homeowner’s policies cover mold damage until the damage is already done. If you are concerned about the potential for mold damage in your home, it is crucial to find out whether it would be covered under your current policy. As you will see, such policies are usually unclear about whether this type of damage is covered. Some insurance companies, like State Farm, don’t cover mold damage regardless of how it is caused; others minimize their risk by imposing limits on how much they will pay out for mold remediation. Read on to learn the ins and outs of mold damage coverage and homeowner’s insurance policies.

When is Mold Damage Covered By Insurance? 

Don’t wait until a public adjuster is on their way over to find out whether or not mold damage is covered by your insurance policy. The vast majority of the time, such damage is only covered when it occurs as the result of a covered peril like water damage. For example, if your water heater breaks and floods the basement and mold damage is later discovered, it should be covered because water damage is typically covered under such circumstances.

Even if mold damage is covered in this way, however, it may not be covered entirely. Mold damage remediation costs an average of $15,000 to $30,000, and insurance companies have taken numerous steps to reduce their exposure to having to pay for these damages. Typically, they will only cover such damage up to a certain limit. Allstate, for example, provides coverage up to $5,000.  If the damage exceeds this allotted amount, the homeowner may have to put in the rest of the money from their savings account. These are instances where mold damage could be recovered:

• Brutal weather
• Plumbing issues
• Leaky Roofs

Now, if floods cause mold, that may not be covered because, for the majority of homeowner’s insurance, floods are not covered. This is why many homeowners should now that additional coverage is needed in these cases.

When is Mold Damage Excluded from Coverage? 

As any public adjuster can tell you, mold damage that occurs due to neglect or a lack of maintenance is not covered under homeowner’s insurance policies. If you notice a leak somewhere, put it on the backburner and notice mold later, for example, your policy most likely won’t pay for mold remediation because it would be considered as gradual damage; damage that happened over time, not suddenly.

Another time when mold damage is excluded is when it occurs due to regional flooding because damage from such flooding is excluded from standard insurance policies. It might still be covered if you have a separate flood insurance policy, but there are likely to be strict limits in place.  If a home is not maintained as it should be, or an owner does not repair a problem that persists, they should not be surprised when mold sets-in and their insurance companies decide to deny their claim, for mold damage. These insurance companies will investigate the issue and will try to find every reason not to want to pay the policyholder. This is why every homeowner should maintain receipts and evidence that they have been keeping their homes up-to-date, and that if mold is present, it is not due them having been negligent, but it is due to exterior factors out of their control.

Molds Most Present and the Symptoms Associated with Them

Many people do not know that mold is present in more forms than one. The typical person sees black areas and knows that its mold, but there is much more to in. Properly treating a home would mean that one must understand the specific mold that is present in their homes. This way, a professional can address the mold and ensure that once it is treated, it does not come back again, like most molds due. A statistic that might be shocking is that only 100,000 types of molds have been identified, yet there are more than 1.5 million species all around the world. These are some forms of mold and their symptoms that would most likely be present within a house:

Aspergillus; Found in foods and in AC systems that cause allergies

Cladosporium; Typically grows on painted surfaces, toilets, and fiberglass air ducts. It has a blackish appearance.

Stachybotrys; This type of mold can cause a number of health problems like fever, fatigue, burning nasals, inflammation of the membranes, and even nosebleeds. This type of mold is usually found in areas with high humidity and on cellulose material, including, paper, wood, and cardboard.

Penicillin; This is the typical mold you see when there is a vegetable rotting or a piece of bread. It is present in foods, wallpaper, soil, grains, and vegetables that have passed their expiration date.

Because there may be many types of mold present, consulting a professional to determine which type is the first step to properly treating it. Children and seniors are especially susceptible to the effects of mold that could cause respiratory problems. Seeking immediate medical attention if suspicion of mold is present is a must.

Mold Growth in Various Types of Moisture

Mold can surface as a result of various water damage and moisture. These are some categories of moisture and damages that could create mold:

• Wet clothes being hung up; that water evaporates and creates a living environment for mold
• A body of water is near a home; because a house is so near to a body of water, the humidity inside that home is often higher than the typical household
• The Bathroom; Naturally, people shower with hot showers that create a lot of humidity. If these shows that not ventilated, the percentage of mold
• Presence of condensation; when something is cold, it condenses like pipelines. This creates an area of growth for mold
• Rain and humid temperature; Mold feeds off of humidity and rain

Knowing that mold feeds off of moisture is an indication that keeping places dry and free from humidity would be a great move in avoiding mold to arise.

Ways that Mold Can be Detected

To try and limit the amount of exposure and additional problems that may come from mold, trying to spot mold is an important part of that. There are times where mold is obvious like a blackish substance on the bathroom curtain, but other times, mold will not show visible signs. These are some ways that mold could be detected:

• Presence of musty or earthy smell
• Reveal color contrast on walls by flashing a light on it
• Check areas that have no ventilation or are cold like behind dressers or shelves
• Check the dust that comes out of a pillow by patting it with a spatula
• Check for sliminess or a slick feeling on surfaces

These simple, but yet effective ways can help prevent a lot of dangers. Mold will live off of humidity and damp areas. Reducing the living area of the mold can help it die off.

Ways That Can Prevent and Reduce the Appearance Of Mold

If there is no presence of moisture, mold cannot grow. This means that mold altogether can be prevented, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These are a few actions that could be taken that could prevent mold from appearing:

• use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms
• clean gutters regularly
• Avoid having clothing or paper in areas that are prone to humidity
• If there are any leaks or spills, attempt to dry it immediately
• keep the humidity in the house between 30 percent and 60 percent
• don’t install carpeting in areas that are prone to dampness
• bleach bathrooms often
• Open a window or turn on the ventilation system while taking a shower
• Have cold surfaces insulated

Ways That Mold Can be Removed in a Safe Manner

There are guidelines that should be followed when attempting to get rid of mold. If the mold is present in more than 10 square feet of your home, it is best to leave that to an industrial hygienist. These are some safety steps to take:

• When removing, place on rubber gloves, goggles, and long sleeves
• Place a respirator
• While cleaning up the mold, ventilate the room
• Use plastic sheets to separate the areas that have been infected with mold and those that have not
• Use airtight plastic bags to place the cleaning products that have been used to avoid further contamination

Mold could be cleaned up, but it is important to protect oneself when trying to remove it.

Statistics on Mold

Mold is a problem that has almost affect every homeowner and tenant. These are some facts and statistics that are tied with mold and mildew:

• Mycotoxins are released from mold, which can affect the brain, making depression tied to mold
• Pheonix and Dallas are the cities with the most amount of mold
• Mold has been linked to asthma issues. In fact, a study linked three specific molds to cause asthmatic problems in children
• A survey conducted on 216 patients with sinus found that 96% of them contained fungus
• The air inside a home could be more toxic than that outside
• Within the United States, there have been more than 1,000 types of mold found inside dwellings

Having mold in a home is a serious problem. It is not one that should just be brushed off because there has even been mold linked to human-related deaths. If mold is present, immediately take action.

Filing a Claim for Mold Damage

Since mold damage is typically only covered when it occurs as a result of another covered peril, you would typically file a claim for it alongside your claim for that peril. For example, if a pipe burst and caused mold to develop, mold remediation should automatically be included in the payout for your claim. If you discover mold well after a covered peril has occurred, you will have to provide your expert public adjuster with evidence that proves that the mold happened for that reason. An insurance company will try to make your mold claim into a gradual damage or say that you were negligent in not treating the issue of mold at an earlier stage. With all of that being said, it’s far easier to avoid mold entirely than to deal with it later, so keep the above tips in mind. Maintain proof, inspect your home, do not wait.

If any symptoms of mold are present, or if someone is suffering from sudden allergies and health conditions, it would be smart to call in a professional to evaluate your home, and if mold is found, then contacting a public adjuster to determine whether the mold can be compensated would be key.

 
References:

• https://www.esurance.com/info/homeowners/are-water-and-mold-damage-covered
• http://www.indoormould.ca/blog/5-interesting-studies-and-stats-about-mold/
• https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/dangers-of-mold/
• https://www.prorestorationcompany.com/moisture-that-can-cause-mold-in-your-home/