 Sudden and catastrophic wind events, such as hurricanes and severe thunderstorms can cause damage to your home’s exterior, potentially causing one or more roof leaks. Can you rely on your insurance company to repair a leaking roof caused by this type of storm damage?
The answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no because it depends on your policy. Roof repairs, if the damage to your roof is caused by a covered loss, are typically covered in the dwelling coverage section of your policy. But there are also a few types of roof storm damage that can require separate policies or deductibles, if you don’t already have hurricane or windstorm coverage. Roof Leak Repair Cost A full roof replacement, without the help of insurance, can be a steep price tag for many homeowners, but it is a necessary component to your property’s envelope. Here are a few things to consider when filing a storm damage-related roof insurance claim. Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Roof Replacement? Homeowner’s insurance policies will vary when it comes to covering a roof replacement resulting from a storm. Most policies cover damages from sudden and accidental losses such as wind, hail, or lightning damage, but may have at a higher deductible. Other policies may exclude these types of storm damages altogether. Be prepared and review your insurance policy so that you know and understand your property coverage. For example, whether or not you are covered for the ensuing water damage to your property from roof leak or if you are covered for full replacement of your roof from a hurricane, windstorm, hail or lightening. Many Insurance companies are beginning to implement roof depreciation schedules into their policies or not cover roofs at all that are a certain age and older. Your Roof Leak Insurance Claim is Denied, Now What? Was the damage from your roof leak insurance claim denied? The verbiage in your homeowner’s insurance policy is important for any claim you make. However, a roof leak repair or full replacement is not something you should wait to handle--whether your claim was denied or not. If you need a roof replacement, and your insurance provider is denying your claim, you may still have options. Oftentimes, roof replacement claims from storm damage get denied if there is suspicion that the damage resulted from general wear and tear or lack of maintenance. That is when hiring a public adjuster, like Reliant Insurance Adjusters, can help you get the highest possible settlement of your claim and also potentially avoid an outright denial of your claim.. Contact us today for a free policy review and to learn how we can help get your insurance claim paid should you have one.
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Mold is something you never want to deal with. Besides the fact that it can destroy your property, studies show that it could also destroy your health. Typically, it’s a result of water damage caused by a leak or flooding. If your home has recently been hit by a flood or if you have a water leak, you should consider hiring an independent adjuster in Fort Lauderdale to ease the stress and burden that comes with having to deal with property damage claims. Although mold growth doesn’t happen instantly, it eventually show up in places where there is moisture. The emotional stress of property damage, the financial stress that comes with costly repairs, and of course the physical stress of getting sick can take a serious toll on your overall wellbeing. To stop the problem from escalating and becoming worse, you should partner with an independent adjuster. What Should You Do If You Suspect Mold in Your Home Know What’s Covered in Your Insurance Claims Whenever there’s water damage, mold will always follow suit. Places that are dark, damp, moist, and have pooling water are more prone to mold growth. You can find mold in drywalls or carpets. If you live in a flood-prone zone, there’s also a possibility that you have a mold infestation in your basement. Insurance policies normally cover mold caused by a burst pipe or a sewer backup. Unfortunately, claims of property damage as a result of long-standing mold infestation are likely to be rejected because it will be viewed as home maintenance neglect. Most insurance companies state what’s included and what’s not included for mold water damage. Some homeowners prefer to pay extra to ensure water damage protection, but that choice is up to you. You may add a mold rider to your current insurance coverage. Mold remediation is costly. It would be wise to address water damage and water leaks as soon as you discover them. When it happens, contact your provider, have your home checked and documented for water damage and hire professional mold cleaners to clear the area. The longer you wait the more mold will grow in different areas in your home. Keep in mind that the more damage mold creates, the higher the costs of the repair. Confirm the Mold Mold is unsafe for everyone in your household. It’s important that you know when mold is present so you can take action by:
When mold is ingested it can make you seriously ill. In fact, death can happen if you have pre-existing medical conditions or if you suffer from mold allergy. Individuals who are at great risk of complications are people who have respiratory conditions, the elderly, and infants. One way to know if you have mold in your home is if you experience sinus congestion and runny nose, sneezing, cough and throat irritation, headaches, skin and eye irritation, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and asthma. Are You Looking for An Independent Adjuster in Fort Lauderdale? You don’t have to deal with mold problems alone. We can help you. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we strive to treat your home as our own. Although other companies may offer the same services as we do, one thing we can assure is our dedication to our work. We offer knowledge, professionalism, experience, and resources that will get you the best settlement. Give us a call to know more about what we do.  With hurricane season quickly approaching, you may be wondering what your hurricane preparedness checklist should look like this year. Homeowners and business owners across the state brace for this annual season that begins every June 1st. These volatile storms can cause severe damage resulting from wind-borne debris, heavy winds and rain. Homeowners all too often find themselves underprepared and assume there will not be a devastating hurricane, if any at all, because hurricane season can be so unpredictable. With so many factors to consider when creating a hurricane preparedness plan, it is smart to develop a comprehensive plan in advance. 3 Hurricane Preparedness Check Lists to Create Do not wait for the storm to be looming. Be prepared with a comprehensive hurricane supply, safety and pre and post loss checklist, before the crowds scramble for last-minute supplies and gas. Hurricane Supply Checklist When it comes to supplies, acquiring them when you hear a weather alert for an impending storm can result in empty shelves and panic. We created our own Reliant Hurricane Supply Checklist as well. You can download and print it here: The following is also a supply checklist the Red Cross suggests having readily available, especially during hurricane season. ● 3 Gallons of water ● 3-Day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food ● Flashlight ● Battery-powered or hand-crank radio ● Extra batteries ● First aid kit ● 7-Day supply of medications and medical items, such as hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, a cane ● Multi-purpose tool ● Copies of personal documents, such as insurance policies, birth certificates, lease, or the deed to your home ● Sanitation and personal hygiene items ● Emergency blanket ● Insect repellent and sunscreens ● Baby supplies, including bottles, formula, baby food, and diapers ● Cell phone with chargers ● Family and emergency contact information ● Extra cash ● Map(s) of the area ● Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) ● Extra set of car keys and house keys ● Extra clothing, hat, and sturdy shoes ● Camera for photos of the damage Hurricane Safety Checklist Below are a few recommendations from the Red Cross to help ensure you and your loved ones remain safe before, during, and after a hurricane. ● Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS) ● Check, replace, or restock your disaster supplies as needed ● Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind such as bicycles or lawn furniture ● Close your windows and doors boarding them up with plywood or hurricane shutters ● Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances ● Fill your car’s gas tank ● Evacuate as advised by authorities and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges Pre-Loss Check List While the most important thing is yours and your family’s safety when hurricane season approaches, keeping your home standing is also important. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 9-15), the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) is encouraging homeowners to understand their insurance policy before a storm hits. Read the article here, including a quote from me as the President of FAPIA. To best prepare, you should be sure your insurance policies are up to date. You should have digital records secure but easily accessible if, in the worst case scenario, the hurricane destroys your paper trail. You should also conduct a pre-loss inspection before a storm just in case you need to file any claims. By doing so, you are equipping yourself with sufficient evidentiary support and can increase your chances of receiving a full payout for your damages. Click here to download our Pre and Post Loss Check List for your convenience. Not everyone has the resources, time, or equipment to comprehensively document the interior and exterior of their home and business with drone footage, videos, and photos before a storm. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have the resources needed to properly conduct these inspections, which will help with any insurance claims from hurricane damage and more. Contact us today for your pre-loss property assessment and report. We are always here to help. |
