Friday, May 31, 2019

3 Insurance Rules After Disaster Hits Your Home


I. Avoiding Insurance Disaster.

It seems like whenever catastrophe strikes, insurance problems rear their ugly head. It might be your home isn't sufficiently covered to pay for repairing the damage. Or, you might be the victim of unfair adjusting practices, such as a carrier that would rather fight than pay its fair share.

In a disaster such as fire, flood or earthquake, you might not even know who your insurance company is, since your policies and other important documents may well be cold ash or soggy trash.

If you suffer a disaster and have to make a claim on your insurance, keep these three principles in mind:

II. Get a Copy of Your Policy and read It.

Insurance always begins with a written contract. So, the first thing that needs to be done when getting ready to make a claim is to get a copy of every policy that might possibly provide coverage for your damaged property and read them all from front to back.

If you don't have the policy forms because they were lost, destroyed or are otherwise unavailable, you'll have to get policy reconstructions from the insurance company. Requests can be made to your agent or directly to the insurance company's policy services department. If you don't remember who your insurance company is, you'll need to do a little detective work. Start with your checking account. A review of your banking records may well lead you to every insurer that might provide coverage for the damaged property.

III. Check your coverages.

Your insurance policy provides coverage for certain types of loss and excludes coverage for others. That's why it's important to get a copy of the contract right at the beginning.

One issue that frequently arises following a catastrophic loss is the damaged property was not adequately insured in the first place. Where an agent or broker provided you with professional advice on the appropriate coverage or bound coverage based upon their own professional expertise, there may be a claim for professional negligence where the property isn't properly protected.

IV. Watch out for Time Limits

Property insurance contracts generally have their own time limits, called "statute of limitations," built in, and the period in which to file suit to enforce the contract is generally less than the period that applies to a plain vanilla written contract.

When in doubt, consult a legal professional about what time limits will apply to your claim. Be proactive. Once you have a loss, there is a clock ticking somewhere that might limit your ability to recover policy benefits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/586228

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Basics About Hiring Home Damage Restoration Company


By the time you're in the market for a home damage restoration company, chances are pretty good that the worst has already happened, and you're now looking for the best way to cope with the disaster and salvage as much as you can of your house and personal possessions.

These companies are often your first call after your home has been damaged by flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, or smoke. In most cases, the quicker you're able to get someone out to survey the damage, the better the chances that your house will be more easily and successfully restored to its former condition.

After an accident or another tragic event, most people are in a state of shock and have no idea how best to even begin coping with the destruction left in the wake of the tragedy. A reputable home restoration company is not just out to make a profit from your family's misfortune, and should always be there, fighting for your interests.

Quality service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is able to get to the scene of the damage fairly quickly. Once there, the company will take photographs and speak to you about the best course of repair. They'll advise you what needs to be done, how quickly it needs to be done, and how much the restoration is going to cost you.

Since it's not only the fact of the devastation to a family's home that causes anxiety and a sense of loss but the stress of figuring out how to pay for the repairs, a restoring company will work with you to file your insurance claim and get it approved quickly. The specialists who work for the company see loss and damage every day, and they have experience working with the system to help get their clients the results they need, figuring out how best to cope with the difficulties in the meantime.

Although most people don't have the time or presence of mind to shop around for a home restoration company in the wake of major damage, it's important to remember that all companies are not created equally.

Choosing one that is a preferred vendor, works with virtually all insurance companies, offers a payment plan, and has all the relevant industry certifications is essential for success. If you're a homeowner, your best bet is to do your research and choose a restoration company you'd trust if the worst should ever happen. Hopefully, it's a call you never need to make, but if you do, you're prepared and able to start rebuilding from the first moment.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrew_Stratton/83489

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Got Water Damage? Hire The Services Of A Professional And Reputed Fire And Water Restoration Company


If you have come in here to read this article, you are probably looking for a fire and water damage restoration company that will do a professional restoration job in your house or commercial property. This article will give you a few tips about picking the right Fire and water restoration company.

  • It is preferable that you only call for fire and water damage restoration companies that have a solid reputation in the field. Stay away from one man teams or freelancers who will promise you a great job only to give you a run around with poor results.
  • Look for a company that will offer 24/7 services. Damage restoration is essentially an emergency service and a company that offers that service should ideally have service availability around the clock.
  • Ask if the company has the latest equipment. Some small companies will often be short-handed when it comes to quality equipment. A professional water damage repair company should ideally have state of the art commercial grade equipment such as dehumidifiers, blowers, truck mounted water extraction units, portable extraction units and other tools such as moisture gauges and humidity meters and emergency generators. If the water damage is significant, a good company will use a lot of equipment to bring about the best results in the fastest way possible. Hiring a small company that will have very limited equipment will mean longer water damage restoration times which will in turn greatly increase the related losses. When it comes to the effectiveness of a water damage repair company, their responsiveness and speed should be of utmost concern to you as it can save you a significant sum of money.
  • Help with the insurance process - Fire and water damage restoration companies are not just important to fix up your house. They, in fact, play a very important role in your damage situation by helping you with the insurance process. Insurance, as you might already know, can be a very daunting process when approached on your own. You might not know how to fill out the forms correctly or you might ask for too little when you file a form. A good fire and water restoration company will appoint an insurance specialist or insurance consultant to your case. This person will then work with the insurance adjustor appointed by the insurance company. With the insurance consultant on your side, you can relax and be assured that a professional is helping you.

Guarantee on the insurance claim - There could be a situation where you might commission water damage restoration work before being approved by the insurance company. It can be a rude shock to receive a check for an amount that does not cover all the expenses of the restoration work. A professional water damage restoration will help you avoid that pickle of a situation by putting out an estimate that will be accepted by the insurance company. Also, they will guarantee their repair estimates in such a way that they will not charge you personally if the insurance company's check does not cover all of the expenses then the fire and water restoration contractor agrees to waive the additional expenses.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_E_Smith

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Fire Damage Restoration - Helps You Restore Your Home Back in Good Condition


Home fires can be devastating, and once the initial shock and subsequent relief of surviving has worn off, you're often left with a huge mess to clean up.

The effects of fire damage can be emotionally traumatizing to deal with, which is why it's always helpful to hire professionals to assist you during this trying process. However, there are some things you can do to help speed up the process and save some of your personal possessions.

The most important thing to remember when reentering your home aftermath is that just because it looks safe, doesn't mean that it is. There can still be dangerous soot in the air as well as lingering smoke and water damage from the rescue.

Make sure you have the permission of the authorities that your home is safe enough to enter, and it's best to choose only one or two people to go in at first.

Depending on the severity, you will probably first notice everything covered in ashes and soot. This can be dusted off of surfaces and vacuumed off of furniture and carpets.

It will be much easier to work inside your home if the majority of soot is removed first before you begin sorting through your belongings. If some areas have little or none, make sure that you don't track in soot. Either avoid these rooms or place protection on the floor.

It can affect many different surfaces and cause permanent harm if not taken care of quickly. Chrome and other metals will need to be cleaned or else they can tarnish. Similarly, porcelain, which many toilets, tubs, and some tiles are made of, can become discolored and start to yellow.

Upholstery that has deeply imbedded soot should be sent to professional cleaners to ensure they get deep into the fabric to lift up any residual stains.

Most food should be thrown out, even if sealed or kept inside of the fridge. Even if the kitchen was not affected by it, smoke may have gotten into some of the food and spoiled it (or at least make it taste unappetizing). It is often easier to just toss it all out rather than sift through it looking for something that is salvageable.

Clothing and rugs, like upholstery, should be sent to professional cleaners with specific instructions to treat for fire damage. It isn't wise to attempt to clean these on your own, as you can spread the soot and make the problem worse or even impossible to reverse.

A professional fabric cleaner has the greatest chance of reviving some items from fire damage. Likewise, don't touch any electrical appliances that have fire damage or that are in the near area. They may have been affected and could potentially spark another one. They also may have been affected by water if professionals were called to the scene.

When dealing with this kind of issue you will want experts to handle a big chunk of them. They can safely help you sort through your home and restore it back to a livable state. Only do what you absolutely must, such as sending clothes off to the cleaner, wiping off soot, and gathering items of sentimental value.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andrew_Stratton/83489

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Sunday, May 19, 2019

How to Prevent Water Damage From Household Fixtures - This Old House


This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows ways to detect and stop common plumbing leaks.

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Proper Location of Smoke Alarms


NFPA requires that smoke alarms are located in several locations throughout the home. This video identifies where they should be placed to ensure adequate protection in the event of a home fire.

Monday, May 13, 2019

Emergency Restoration Checklist


Here is a helpful checklist to minimize damage to your property following a fire, flood, storm or other disaster event.

  • Alert your insurance company immediately. Your insurance agent is your partner during this stressful time. He/she will guide you through the claims and clean-up process.
  • Take photos of the damage prior to the property being cleaned-up, boarded-up or demolished. Having photographic documentation of the damage could be helpful for insurance purposes.
  • Determine whether your house or place of business is structurally safe. If not, you will need to evacuate the facility and make alternate arrangements.
  • Shut down the electrical and water supply and close the main gas valve, after the threat of physical danger has passed. These steps will help you avoid further damage, so it is important to know in advance where these important systems are located.
  • Protect and secure property assets and/or personal belongings.
    • Relocate all valuables to a safe and dry place.
    • If there is standing water, try to remove as much of it to the outdoors as possible and run the air conditioning, a dehumidifier or a fan to help dry out the area. WARNING: Standing water will begin to produce dangerous mold within 48 hours, making it imperative to remove all standing water.
    • If conditions allow, cover broken windows and doors as well as damaged walls and roof areas with plywood or plastic sheeting to prevent additional moisture entry and to protect the property from the elements.
  • Inspect the property thoroughly. Your observations and comments will help speed up the restoration process when professional help arrives.
  • Determine if there are roof shingles missing or if there is any damage to your home's exterior, including to the gutters, windows, siding, chimneys, etc.
    • Inspect the property for any signs of water infiltration.
    • Determine if the insulation is wet or damaged. Be sure to check the insulation around your windows and doors and in your attic, crawl spaces and walls.
    • Look closely to verify that your foundation walls are intact.

In most cases your insurance agent will make clean-up/restoration contractor recommendations. However, in some situations, you may be advised to hire a restoration company of your own choosing. The following are tips for hiring the best professional restoration company:

  • Look for a professional restoration company that specializes in working with property owners after a fire, flood, storm or other disaster. These companies are a better choice than general contracting companies that may offer restoration services.
  • Be sure that the company you choose is licensed, bonded and insured in the state where the work will be performed.
  • Do not sign a contract unless the job is described in detail including what will be done, a price estimate and what materials/tools will be used.
  • Ask for a list of references. Also, look at before and after pictures of the company's work.
  • Do not hire a company that requires a larger than normal deposit in order to start work.

The most effective way to recover from a fire, flood, storm or other disastrous event is to take action quickly Carefully following the Emergency Restoration checklist will help the disaster relief experts restore your home and property to normal as quickly as possible.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Nemshick

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Friday, May 10, 2019

Preventing Water Damage While Away on Vacation


Vacations provide people with the opportunity to get away and relax, but few things can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare as quickly as coming back to a water damaged home. Water damage is one of the most common reasons for an insurance claim and when it occurs with no one home, a small water damaging event can quickly escalate into a major claim.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Alltek Restoration Provides 24/7 Emergency Services


Emergency Services

We are here to help when you need it. Providing first response to your needs 24/7. Our team will be dispatched to your loss, will assess the damages, explain the course of action required and with your approval start immediately preventing further loss and damages.

The post-loss condition of a structure or dwelling can vary and is specific to each type of loss and the severity of the damage that has occurred. Determining the cause of the loss and the affected area is the first step and often most important. How and what steps are taken can have a significant impact on further damages and what is necessary to prevent or limit further damages to a structure. Alltek Restoration, Inc. provides all emergency or temporary services which your property may require.

Board Up Services

Are very common requirements after storm or fire losses. The damages caused by the actual fire and tactics use to extinguish can leave your property with broken or blown out windows, burnt doors or broken doors, ventilation holes in roofs, and structural deficiencies all of which leaves the property open to access, in distress, and insecure. We will secure all loss related openings with temporary measures securing the property and temporary structural repairs to help prevent further damages.

Temporary Weather Proofing

Your property may require temporary weatherproofing as a result of a loss. Both storm and fire damages can leave your property exposed or vulnerable to weather elements which will cause further damage to your property. Preventing additional damages is key as secondary damages can exceed the preliminary damages.

Content Services

Depending on the type of loss and severity will determine what needs to be done.

Services can include the following: manipulation, both salvageable and non-salvageable / total loss inventory, packing for on or off-site storage, cleaning and restoration, and pack back after repairs.


Mitigation Services

Includes initial loss assessment, determination of cause and source, water category / classification, moisture mapping, and determining the affected areas that require structural drying. Removal of both salvageable and non-salvageable building components, and the placement of required drying equipment as well as monitoring the drying progress until completed. After the drying process, repairs may proceed.

Temporary Utility Services

After a loss, a structure's utilities can be interrupted or shut off until safe operation and use can be confirmed. All utilities are subject to interruption which can make your home uninhabitable or unsafe. After a fire, if the electrical system is damaged emergency personnel will have the utility provider interrupt service to prevent the risk of injury and further structure damages. We can provide emergency repair or provide temporary utilities that are required so repairs may begin.

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Should You Do Water Damage Cleanup Yourself Or Hire a Professional?



Has your home gotten water damaged and now you need to do water damage cleanup, but are not sure if you should do this yourself or hire a professional? The answer is completely up to you, but to help you make the smart choice for your cleanup you need to know some important information about water cleanup.
Before the water cleanup can be done it is important to determine all the areas that will need to be cleaned. If you have carpet where the water damage was then the carpet will need to be pulled up to remove the water underneath it. Then if the carpet can be cleaned you can clean it or if it is damaged beyond repair then you will have to remove it.
You will also need to watch for water in the walls which can be very hard to clean up if you don't know how to do it correctly. The professionals have the knowledge and expertise to cleanup water from anywhere it is found. This is knowledge that you will have to take time to learn before you can do cleanup if you want to ensure that it is done right.
Another thing that will have to be done is to check the ceilings for sagging, dampness and brown stains. If the problem is really bad then the ceiling will have to be replaced. Insulation will also have to be discarded if it is wet so that the joists can dry and then new insulation will need to be installed.
No matter where the water cleanup needs to be done you have to always be conscious of the wires and electrical outlets because water around these areas can easily cause electrocution. For many people this is reason enough for them to hire professionals because not knowing what you are doing can be really dangerous for you.
Professionals know the dangers and are prepared to deal with them without injuring themselves or someone else. Plus, any areas of your home that are wet will have to be sanitized and this can be hard to do if you don't have the knowledge for it.
If you don't sanitize the area then you can end up with mold and bacteria which will be unhealthy for anyone living in your home.
Now that you know this important information about water damage cleanup; all that remains is to take the time to decide if you want to attempt the cleanup yourself or if you are going to hire a professional to do it for you. Just remember that this type of cleanup can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and this will help you make up your mind about the smart choice for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4707460

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

How to Avoid the Biggest Remodeling Mistakes | Consumer Reports


Consumer Reports surveyed more than 300 general contractors to find the missteps they see homeowners make. Here's their list, and some tips to help you sidestep those errors.