Is there a limit on your water damage coverage? Does your policy even cover water damage to your property?
 
Not every insurance policy covers water damage, and if yours does, the coverage may not cover the full extent of the damage. This type of coverage for your property is dependent on the cause.
 
For example, internal water damage, such as wet drywall or damage to your flooring as a result from a ruptured water heater or bust pipe is often covered. However, if the water damage resulted from poor maintenance or a flood, then your property may not be covered under your insurance policy.
 
Determining the root cause of water damage and whether your policy covers it as well as understanding if there is a limit on that coverage can be challenging.

The Types of Applicable Water Damage Coverage

Dwelling coverage and personal property coverage are two common types of insurance coverage that may cover water damage claims.  Dwelling coverage helps to pay for structural property damage, whereas personal property coverage helps to pay for personal belongings, such as furniture, that were damaged.
 
Whether you have one or both types of water damage coverages in your insurance policy, your insurance company may not cover as much of your damages as you may have hoped.

Is There A Limit On Insurance Water Damage Coverage?  

Many individuals might think their insurance company would cover the full extent of water damage costs.  All too often, after the insurance adjuster shows up to assess the damage, your insurance company informs you that your policy has a limit of $10,000, for example, but the total damages are a tens of thousands upwards of that.
 
In fact, several insurers are even beginning to exclude water damage coverage entirely for properties that are older than 40 years, or they have altered their policies’ verbiage to cover only a small percentage of the loss and give very specific time parameters for filing a claim. But you may still be given the option to pay an additional premium to include limited water damage coverage in your policy.
 
If you have original or older plumbing, your insurance company may exclude water damage coverage from your insurance policy and may even request that you replace cast iron pipes with PVC pipes in order for them to consider insuring future potential water damage claims.
 
Reading through your insurance policy is important in order to understand the full extent of your water damage coverage. Contact Reliant Insurance Adjusters to learn more about how we can help you, should you need to file a water damage claim, or any property damage claim, with your insurance provider. 

Is there a chance your water damage claim can get denied? As horrifying as it seems, yes. Unfortunately, there are instances when property damage claims get denied. How can this be avoided? When your home or business is damaged due to a water leak, the first thing you should do is seek help from a public adjuster in Broward County. 
 
A public adjuster will guide and assist you to ensure that your insurance company acknowledges your claim. We use state-of-the-art tools and equipment to identify and establish the cause of the damage.
 
The evidence and documentation presented to your insurance company by a public adjuster will help you get a good claim settlement. 
 
Why Do Water Damage Claims Get Denied?
 
Lack of Understanding
 
One of the biggest factors for insurance claims getting denied is when a home or business owner does not understand the coverage in their insurance policy. One example is a hurricane. Do you know that some water damage caused by a hurricane may not be covered by insurance? 
 
Before you report your insurance claim, make sure you have thoroughly read your insurance policy. If there are terms and conditions you do not understand, you should ask a public adjuster for help.
 
Failure to Maintain Your Property
 
Another reason why an insurance claim can get denied is failing to maintain your home or business. For example, if your claim is due to a roof leak, the insurance company can deny coverage if you did not repair your roof and let it leak continuously.  In some insurance policies, the damage caused from a roof leak is not always covered unless the damage to your roof is caused by a covered peril in your policy. For example a hurricane, wind, lightening and hail.
 
Insurance policies cover sudden and accidental damage, not continuous damage over a period of time. If you are diligent and try to stop the damage immediately, you are protecting your property from further damage. However, if you do not stop the damage and it continues for a period of time, the insurance company can deny your claim.
 
When You Use The Wrong Terminology
 
When you report an insurance claim it is important to know what is causing the damage. Is the damage a plumbing leak, air conditioning leak or from some other source? When you call your insurance and you use the wrong terminology to describe your damage, your claim can be incorrectly classified which may lead to claim denial.  It is important to hire a public adjuster to handle your insurance claim to facilitate the claim process and prepare and submit the required documentation.
 
How to Get Your Claim Approved
 
Aside from hiring a reliable public adjuster, there are other ways to increase the chances of having your water damage claim approved. Review your insurance policy every year and ask questions to get clarification on coverage. 
 
If you are underinsured or do not have the correct coverage for your property, you can increase policy limits and add coverage. If you have ever experienced flooding in the past, you know it is important to have flood insurance coverage.
 
Flood insurance is not the same as water damage, so review your insurance policies and make sure your property is sufficiently insured. Finally, it is important to maintain and check your home and property for leaks while making sure the necessary repairs are completed. 
 
Are You Looking for a Public Adjuster in Broward County?
 
If you need help with your insurance claim or want to make sure you were paid adequately to cover your property damage, you have come to the right place.
 
At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we will make sure that your insurance claim gets covered. We have your best interest at heart and that is what makes us special and sets us apart from others. We treat every property damage claim as if it were our own. Give us a call to get a free consultation. 
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​At first glance, nearly every strain of mold looks the same, which makes identifying toxic and non-toxic mold in your home challenging.
 
Though mold, toxic or otherwise, rarely crosses your mind on a regular basis, there are several signs that can indicate its presence in your home. Mold can begin growing in as little as 1-2 days and is generally not easy to spot until it has spread or you start to experience related health issues.
 
Black mold produces mycotoxins and is the most common strain of toxic mold. If you are subject to prolonged exposure to this type of mold, it can lead to more serious health issues.
 
Mold is not always covered by insurance.  It must be caused by something that is covered under your insurance policy so, before your rush to file an insurance claim, you should have your policy and coverages reviewed by a licensed public insurance adjuster.

3 Simple Signs to Identify Toxic & Non-Toxic Mold in Your Property

Here are several signs to help you determine if you have either type of mold in your home, and which type it may be. However, sometimes it is difficult to determine without the proper testing by a professional testing company.

#1: Something smells off

Something in your home smells quite musty and it is not the laundry basket. Unfortunately, this could be an indicator of either type of mold growth and may pose a health risk.

#2: It is growing plain as day

One of the more common ways people discover mold is when it becomes visible. Toxic mold typically grows in hidden, dark, and damp spaces, however, it can also grow in open areas like on your ceiling or walls. It may not be a toxic strain, but you should still proceed with and have it properly tested so you know what type of mold it is.

#3: You aren’t feeling so well lately

Toxic mold can lead to severe health problems, especially related to your respiratory system. Some symptoms of toxic mold exposure parallel common allergy symptoms, such as:

●      Rashes, hives, and itching
●      Coughing
●      Shortness of breath
●      Sinus congestion
●      Memory loss
●      Fatigue
 
Toxic and non-toxic mold growth can both result in additional damages to your home and cause problems with your health. If you notice or suspect mold growth, it is important to have it professionally tested and remediated.
 
Contact Reliant Insurance Adjusters should you have any questions.  We will help you every step of the way with your mold damage insurance claim.

At the end of the day, insurance companies have to meet their bottom lines to remain in business. They must be able to assess risk and avoid as much loss as possible.
 
Unfortunately, this can mean your insurance provider may cancel your policy if your insured property (home, auto, etc.) is posing too much risk or cost to continue coverage. I feel compelled to write about this because this just happened to a family member of mine and I am assisting her with obtaining new insurance coverage.
 
While most individuals have continuous coverage from the same provider for several years, others may encounter a hiccup or two and learn their policy is being non-renewed or canceled.

Common Reasons an Insurance Company May Cancel Coverage

There are a variety of reasons why your insurance company may choose to cancel or non-renew your insurance coverage, and it is important to understand why in order to move forward and even potentially retain your coverage.
 
The following are common reasons why your provider may choose to cancel or non-renew your insurance policy.

• Insurance company is reducing its policies in your area
• Non-payments or missed payments
• Filed too many claims
• Being a “moral hazard” (having a criminal record or making false declarations)
• Changes in your situation (moved to a new location, different property to cover, etc.)

What You Should Do If Your Insurance Company Drops You

Should your insurance company choose to cancel your policy, your timing will be everything in order to remain covered. Here are a few things to consider if your insurance company cancels or non-renews your policy.

Review any Claims You Have Made

Insurance companies are in the risk management business, which means they are frequently assessing how insuring you or your property impacts their bottom line. If you have filed several claims and are notified that your policy is being cancelled, this could be why.
 
Take some time to review the many aspects of your claims, including:

• Total claim amount
• Cause for claim
• Whether they were for the same or multiple properties

Evaluate Any Changes

​If you are planning to plead your case with your insurance provider, it can be worthwhile to evaluate any changes that have occurred and resulted in your cancellation. Providing substantial evidentiary support that things have changed for the better and why it is going to be different can help you retain your insurance policy or provider at the very least.
 
Here are a few examples of how evaluating changes in your situation can prove beneficial.

• You recently moved and your previous claims were from a different address. Consider how your new location poses little to no risk for them.
• Establish any changes, such as household residents, more professional stability, etc. that could also show how covering you and your property is less risky to them now.

Show The Value You Add to Your Insurance Provider

Have you been with this insurance company for years? Have you trusted them to cover all aspects of your property, such as cars, homes, life insurance etc.?
 
If you have been a long standing policyholder with them, let them know. Remind them how many years you have chosen them to protect you.  If you have made upgrades to your home, it is important to let them know.  In some cases where the roof or plumbing system in your home is older, the insurance company may require you to replace them in order to continue insuring your property.
 
Sometimes insurance companies feel they may have more exposure in a certain area, or the claim costs have increased and they can non-renew your policy.  If this happens to you, then you will need to seek coverage elsewhere.
 
Contacting An Insurance Adjuster Can Help Too

​If you discover that your insurance company is cancelling your policy, you have to act quickly. There are still some options and steps you can take to keep your policy and provider should you choose.
 
Consulting or hiring an insurance adjuster can help provide support to any claims that have been made and help properly assess any future claims. If your policy is getting cancelled, you should contact Reliant Insurance Adjusters to see how we can help. 

Water is an essential part of our lives, and without it, we wouldn’t be alive. While water provides numerous benefits, sometimes too much of it can cause destruction, like in the case of flooding. What are you going to do if you experience water damage? The first step is to contact an insurance adjuster in Port St. Lucie. 
 
Did you know that water damage ranks at the top list of potential property disasters? When water permeates in places that should be dry, it can warp your floors, discolor your walls, and can potentially result in mold growth. 
 
If water damage is not addressed immediately, it can compromise and destabilize the foundations of your home. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage and determine whether the damage needs to be repaired or replaced – whichever is more cost-effective. 
 
Aside from assessing the damage, your insurance adjuster will review your insurance policy to check if the damage is covered. Flooding isn’t the only problem you need to be aware of. Homeowners and business owners have shelled out thousands of dollars on repairs as a result of a small leak. Check out some of the common causes of water damage. 
 

What Factors Contribute to Water Damage? 
 
Bursting or Leaking Pipes
 
One of the reasons why homes get damaged is due to a burst or leaking pipe. It may seem trivial, but if you don’t have it fixed quickly, the consequences can be very costly. It can be a result of temperature changes, deterioration of your pipes, or unregulated water pressure. 
 
In northern climates if pipes aren’t insulated, they can freeze during the winter and eventually burst. Your insurance adjuster will help to identify the root cause of the water damage. 
 

Plumbing Problems
 
Do you know that leaking or broken plumbing pipes are the hardest problem to identify?  This is because some  pipes are not visible and are located under your home. We suggest that you regularly check your faucets, showers, toilets and under your sinks to make sure they are not leaking. 
 

Worn Down Appliances
 
Did you know that there are two common household appliances that are notorious for contributing to water damage? They are none other than your washing machine and hot water heater. It’s usually the result of a crack in the pipes or hoses.
 
You must also check other appliances in your home like your dishwasher and the water line to your refrigerator. These too can break because they are hidden from view.
 

HVAC Systems
 
Another thing to look out for is your air-conditioning unit. When you purchase an air conditioner, part of your responsibility is to ensure that you have your unit serviced and cleaned regularly.
 
Without regular servicing, there is a good chance your the line can become clogged and leak.  Always remember that a damp unit will create a breeding ground for mold to thrive. Water damage goes hand in hand with mold growth and these are problems that you need to address immediately.
 

Obstructed Gutters
 
When your gutters are not draining water well, it could mean that something is blocking them. The most common cause of a clogged gutter are branches and leaves. If an obstruction is present, water that normally flows through the gutter could run down the edges and make its way into your home.
 
Proper maintenance and cleaning of your gutters is essential in protecting your property.
 

Are You Looking for an Experienced Insurance Adjuster in Port St. Lucie? 
 
If you think you may have a leak and you are concerned that it will wreak havoc in your home, call an insurance adjuster as soon as you can to help assess if you have a covered insurance claim. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have your best interest at heart. We treat every property damage as if it were our own. Give us a call to know more about what we do.