Why Insurance Agents Should Work With Storm Restoration Services
2/15/2024 (Permalink)
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Property damage after a storm can be catastrophic and costly. If a storm strikes your area, you will likely be flooded with calls from insurance clients looking for help. Working with reliable storm restoration professionals can help ease the process and ensure that all of your clients have their needs met.
1. Quick Response
A storm response needs to be quick in order to be as effective as possible. Returning a structure to a physically stable state, removing flood water, and cleaning the debris left behind should all happen quickly in order to establish safety and prevent mold growth from starting. If mold is prevented, this lessens additional damage and lowers the cost of cleanup. Restoration specialists like SERVPRO pride themselves on their quick response to every type of disaster.
2. Trained Professionals
Storm restoration specialists are trained in responding to every type of storm. Whether it's a hurricane, flood, snowstorm, or tornado, they know how to deal with the damage. After a storm, there is rarely just one type of damage to a structure. There might be wind damage to the siding and water damage from flooding in the basement. These damages require different types of cleaning and repairs. Restoration specialists know how to catalogue and deal with wind damage, flood damage, and more simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple specialists working on the same restoration.
3. A Network of Resources
Working with a restoration specialist with a corporate system in place like SERVPRO connects you and your clients with a large national network. Disaster response teams located throughout the country can mobilize and help where and when they are needed. With many clients in the same area needing assistance at the same time, having a large network to draw from after a storm can be highly beneficial.
Recovery from storm damage involves specialized cleaning, repairs, and often rebuilding. Undertaking these tasks in a timely manner is extremely important to help prevent further damage. A storm restoration specialist like SERVPRO can help speed up the claims process and help your clients recover every step of the way.
Sump Pump Insurance Coverage - What to Know
2/15/2024 (Permalink)
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Sump pumps can be a homeowner's best friend when it comes to keeping their basement or crawl space dry. These pumps work by removing excess water that has collected in a sump pit and pumping it out of the house. However, what happens when the sump pump fails or is unable to keep up with the water flow? This is when a homeowner may experience a sump pump water loss.
A sump pump water loss occurs when water that should have been removed by the sump pump ends up flooding the basement or crawl space. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including a power outage, mechanical failure, or overwhelming water volume. In such cases, a homeowner may be faced with extensive water damage and cleanup costs.
The good news is that many homeowner's insurance policies provide coverage for sump pump water losses. However, the extent of coverage and any exclusions will depend on the policy and the insurance company.
Coverage for sump pump water losses typically falls under the "water damage" section of a homeowner's insurance policy. This coverage may include the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property, as well as the cost of cleanup and restoration. It's important to note that some policies may have a separate deductible for water damage, which could be higher than the standard deductible.
It's also important to understand any exclusions or limitations that may apply to sump pump water losses. For example, some policies may exclude coverage for losses caused by a sump pump that was not properly maintained or installed. Others may limit coverage to a specific dollar amount or only cover certain types of damage.
To ensure adequate coverage for sump pump water losses, it's important to review your homeowner's insurance policy and speak with your insurance agent. You may want to consider adding additional coverage or increasing your coverage limits if you live in an area with a high risk of flooding or have experienced sump pump water losses in the past.
In addition to insurance coverage, there are steps homeowners can take to minimize the risk of sump pump water losses. This includes regular maintenance of the sump pump and backup power options in case of a power outage. It's also a good idea to have a plan in place for dealing with a sump pump failure or water loss, including having emergency contact information for a professional water damage restoration company.
In conclusion, sump pump water losses can be a costly and stressful experience for homeowners. However, with the right insurance coverage and preventative measures, homeowners can minimize their risk and have peace of mind knowing they are protected.
Call SERVPRO Team Lutz at 215.368.4110!
What To Do After a Fire in Your Home
2/15/2024 (Permalink)
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Experiencing a fire in your home can be a traumatic and overwhelming event. Once the fire is extinguished and everyone is safe, it's crucial to take immediate action to begin the process of recovery and restoration. Here are some important steps to take after a fire in your home:
Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire and initiate the claims process. Provide them with detailed information about the damage and follow their instructions regarding documentation and next steps.
Ensure Safety: Before re-entering your home, wait for clearance from the fire department or relevant authorities to ensure it is safe to do so. They will assess the structural integrity and utilities to ensure there are no immediate risks.
Document the Damage: Take photos or videos of the damage caused by the fire. This documentation will be helpful during the insurance claim process and when working with restoration professionals.
Secure Your Property: If necessary, secure your property by boarding up windows, doors, or other openings to protect it from further damage and unauthorized access.
Contact Restoration Professionals: Engage the services of a reputable fire restoration company. They will assess the damage, create a comprehensive restoration plan, and work to restore your home to its pre-fire condition. They will handle tasks such as debris removal, cleaning, smoke odor removal, and structural repairs.
Salvage Valuables: If it's safe to do so, retrieve any valuable items that were not significantly damaged by the fire or water used for firefighting. This may include important documents, jewelry, or sentimental items. However, avoid entering the property or handling items that may be hazardous due to smoke, soot, or water damage.
Address Immediate Needs: Make arrangements for temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable. Contact your utility providers to suspend services until the property is restored, and notify your postal service to forward your mail to a temporary address.
Communicate with Relevant Parties: Inform your family, friends, and employer about the situation and provide them with updated contact information. Inform your child's school about the situation as well.
Begin the Cleanup Process: Work with your restoration professionals to initiate the cleaning and restoration process. This may involve removing debris, drying out the property, cleaning soot and smoke residue, and addressing water damage.
Review and Update Safety Measures: Take this opportunity to review your home's fire safety measures. Install or replace smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors as needed. Develop or update a fire escape plan and ensure everyone in the household is familiar with it.
Remember to take care of yourself and your family during this challenging time. Lean on your local SERVPRO Team Lutz to assist you through this process. With patience and the help of professionals like SERVPRO Team Lutz, you can gradually restore your home and move forward from the fire incident.
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