 Do I need flood insurance? If you ask your independent adjuster in Boca Raton, the answer would be yes. This is something that you need to take seriously because floodwaters can cause severe damage to your property if you don’t have an insurance policy to protect you, you’re looking into thousands of dollars’ worth of repair.
Regrets always come last. This is a quote that hundreds of homeowners can relate to after they experienced property damage due to flooding. Some U.S. homeowners who live in flood zone areas are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase flood insurance, but even those who live in low risk areas can still experience flooding. Surveys reveal that homeowners who weren’t required to purchase flood insurance didn’t bother to invest in these insurances. Unfortunately, some experience hurricane floods in their area and inevitably felt the emotional and financial devastation after learning how much they’ll need to spend on repairs. If you think about it, flood insurances are your safety net. You may not see its value now, but if it happens to you, you’ll be grateful for investing. Why Should You Get Flood Insurance? Flood Insurance is Affordable One of the reasons why homeowners are discouraged from getting flood insurance is because of the price. Little do they know, insurances for areas that aren’t prone to flooding are extremely affordable. If your home insurance policy does not include flooding damage, we recommend you add it to your policy whether or not you’re required to get it. Areas that are not considered high-risk can benefit from the affordability of the insurance policies. The rate varies depending on the value of your home and how close or how far it is to a flood plain. Properties Outside Flood-Prone Areas Aren’t Guaranteed Safe Certain places are notoriously prone to flooding. If where you currently live has a low flood risk, don’t be too confident. Keep in mind that flood zones are only determined because of past records, but it cannot necessarily predict future conditions. It’s quite surprising that more than 20% of claims are those that are found outside flood zone areas. You can ask for help from an independent adjuster to find you an affordable flood insurance policy. Flood Damage Can Be Devastating If you saw news of homes becoming essentially ruined because of flooding, you know how devastating and catastrophic they can be. If this happens to you and you don’t have flood insurance, your expenses can skyrocket. Paying for a flood insurance policy is nothing compared to the amount you’ll need to shell out to restore your property. The loss can be catastrophic. Are You Looking for an Independent Adjuster in Boca Raton? If you are having problems with insurance claims, we can help you. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we consider your property like our own. We offer professionalism and dedication unlike any other. We have the resources, knowledge, and experience to get you the best settlement for your claim. For questions, send your inquiry here.
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 Florida is known for nearly year-round sunshine and sandy coast lines. But Florida weather can bring a lot more than high temperatures and beautiful beach days.
The Sunshine State is also subject to harsh hurricane seasons and stormy weather. Flooding goes hand in hand with both, and floods just happen to be the most common and most expensive natural disaster in the U.S. With billions of dollars spent each year on flood damage, it should make you wonder whether your home and belongings are protected from flood damage by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Every insurer and policy are different, but for the most part, flood damage is not included in the average home insurance policy, which means you will likely have to purchase separate flood insurance. According to this Flood Insurance Guide, “The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) lets you insure your home for up to $250,000 and your personal property (contents) for up to $100,000. If you rent, you can buy up to $100,000 in coverage for your personal belongings. For non-residential property, you can buy up to $500,000 of coverage for the building and contents. It is important to know that flood insurance comes with separate deductibles for the building and its contents. Flood insurance doesn't immediately kick in when you sign up. In most cases, there is a 30 day waiting period, and if a storm is heading your way, that will prevent you from buying a policy. However, there are a few exceptions: ●If your address was newly added to the SFHA map and you buy flood insurance within the 13-month period following a map revision. ● If you're renewing your flood policy and increase your coverage. ●If your home is affected by flooding on burned federal land and you buy a policy within 60 days of the fire's containment. ● If you just bought a house and your lender requires flood coverage.” Flood Damage Not Covered in Florida Homeowners Insurance Water damage can result from any number of occurrences, from natural disasters to plumbing leaks. When it pertains to floods though, it is important to understand that flood damage is not usually covered in standard Florida homeowner insurance policies. If you notice any type of water damage to your property, the first step you should take is to find the source, which may be a broken water heater, burst pipe, sewer line backup, or from roof damage, etc. Knowing the source helps you understand how best to file your claim. For example, depending on your policy, if the damage is a result of a water heater leak or burst pipe, it will likely be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. In contrast, if your property is damaged by water coming in from the exterior of your home due to a flood, then it would likely not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy but instead by your flood insurance policy. Mold often results from water damage if not mitigated in promptly. Again, it is important to find the cause of the mold to help you determine whether to file a claim through your homeowner’s insurance company. In some cases, your homeowner’s insurance company may also provide additional mold coverage options. Filing a Claim for Flood Damages Filing any claim, especially for flood damage, can be a complex and lengthy process. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we treat every client’s property claim as if it is our own. Our team is dedicated to providing the professionalism, experience, knowledge and resources to get you the highest possible settlement of your claim. Contact us today to give your claim our personal attention and see the difference we can make.  How do you know if you have a mold problem in your home? When mold is present there’s a good chance you’ll experience a sore, itchy throat, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and irritated skin. Most molds have a strong musty odor, but not all. Molds have different colors and they can range from gray, green, brown, and black. If you suspect that you have a mold infestation in your home and you want to make a mold claim, contact a public adjuster in Broward County for help.
When toxic mold is allowed to thrive, it can cause serious illnesses such as internal organ damage, cancer, and bleeding. Homeowners need to understand that mold growth is more than just an aesthetic issue. Mold will not only destroy your home but will also destroy your health. Is Mold Detrimental? What is Mold? Molds are usually found outside your home. These are organisms that belong to the fungus family. They come in various colors like purple, green, orange, white, and black. Mold grows best in an environment that’s humid, damp, and wet. For mold to grow, water or moisture must be present. The usual places where they show are:
It becomes toxic when mold starts releasing tiny spores into the air. When you have mold in your home, you and your family will be breathing them in daily and this can make everyone in the household sick. If you suspect mold in your home, it would be best if you consult with a public adjuster. What Are the Different Types of Mold? Do you know that there are different types of mold? Different mold types can grow in one area and the only way to know the type of mold you have in your home is to have it tested. Regardless of the type, you must get rid of it as soon as possible before it causes major damage to both your health and home. Cladosporium – This type of mold is green, black, or brown. It grows in both cool and warm places. You will usually find Cladosporium on fabrics, carpets, heating, and cooling ducts, and wood. Penicillium – This type of mold is yellow, green, or blue and is present in basements, carpets, and insulation where the water damage has occurred. Aspergillus – This type of mold is gray, white, or green and looks like powder. They thrive in basements, attics, walls, fabric, and even dry food items. Alternaria – This is a black and white mold that grows on the wallpaper, air conditioners, kitchens, bathrooms, fabric, and near windows. Aureobasidium – This mold is pink in color peppered with black spots. You’ll commonly find it in grout, caulking, walls, and wood. How Can Mold Make You Sick? Mold can compromise your health, especially if you inhale or touch it. People who are constantly exposed to mold suffer from sneezing, coughing, runny nose, eye irritation, sore throat, wheezing, skin rash, lung irritation, and headache. Individuals who have allergies, asthma, COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, cystic fibrosis, and compromised immune system are at higher risk of developing complications. When to Seek Help From A Public Adjuster in Broward County Mold removal will only be covered by your insurance company if the source is included in the policy. If the source of the moisture led to mold growth, you will be able to file a mold removal claim as well as repairs for the damage caused by mold. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we treat your property as if it was our own. Our company is dedicated to providing you with the best possible settlement of your claim. Over the years, we’ve received heartwarming feedback from our clients and have seen a growth in client referrals year after year. Get in touch with us to learn more about what we can offer. Property Insurance Claim Denied - Next Steps  Insurance carriers may be reluctant to pay out insurance claims for several reasons. With the cost of insurance fraud estimated to be around $40 billion each year, quickly catching fraudulent claims is a top priority for them. However, being extra cautious can also sometimes lead to delays and unforeseen obstacles in the property damage insurance claims process. Three Potential Indicators of Fraudulent Claims So, what are the indicators that would cause insurance carriers to be suspicious about a potentially fraudulent claim? When you submit a property damage claim, there are a few things your insurance company will evaluate that could get your insurance claim denied. 1. Your Past Claims If you have submitted several property damage claims in the past, a property insurance claims adjuster will likely dig deep into your history. If they notice patterns in the types of property damage insurance claims you submit or how often you claim a damage or loss, your latest claim may be denied. 2. Your Wider Claim History Fraudsters often target more than one insurance company in the hopes of attracting less attention. Therefore, as an extra precaution, insurers check data beyond their internal fraud detection systems. For example, some systems enable adjusters to match new claims to those that were part of earlier or multiple other claims. They can also reveal other red flags like special investigations unit activity. 3. Suspicious Loss Indicators How Stuff Works, lists several Suspicious Loss Indicators that claims adjusters watch out for, including:
While not every claim matching those criteria is fraudulent, insurance claims adjusters may still want to take a closer look. How Fraud Detection Works There are several analytical tools available that alert property claims adjusters to potential cases of fraud based on varying Suspicious Loss Indicators. Additionally, Special Investigations Units, private detectives, and even social media may all be used for the detection and prevention of insurance fraud. If any discrepancies come to light during the investigation process (even if they really are coincidental) it may be challenging to get your insurance company to cover your claim. Was Your Property Insurance Claim Denied? Has your insurance company denied your claim, mistakenly deeming it suspicious? Your past claims with that specific carrier, your wider claim history, or even having one of the Suspicious Loss Indicator boxes checked could be to blame.
Settling insurance claims is now, more than ever, a tedious and complex process. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we can help you through the complicated claim process and help you recover financially from your loss. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and learn more about how we can help you. |
