Having your property damaged due to a covered event such as a hurricane, severe storm, water intrusion, fire or plumbing failure can be a very difficult process to deal with. Many property owners are forced to move into temporary housing until they can return to their home after a devastating loss. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for some homeowners to fully return to their home after a loss and meanwhile they are dealing with an insurance company that they feel is not settling the claim fairly.
When property owners hire a Public Adjuster, the property owner is hiring a representative that will work ONLY for the insured. The Public Adjuster will represent the home owner throughout the insurance claims process. In the State of Florida, where much of the work is done, Florida Statutes Chapter 626 defines who may represent policy holders. These Statutes also list what actions a licensed Public Adjuster can take on behalf of a policy holder to ensure that the home owner is able to recover all of the damages when possible and also to assist and to inform the property owner of the complex insurance claims process. Public Adjusters Delray Beach serve and all other cities throughout South Florida.
What Does a Public Adjuster Do?
A public adjuster will first evaluate the extent of the damage to your property. Then they will review your policy to make sure you are receiving all of the benefits due to you. After that your public adjuster will complete and organize all of the documentation or evidence required to substantiate your claim. Finally your public adjuster will negotiate with your insurance company to make sure you receive the full amount of compensation due to you under your policy.
Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Many types of property damage have hidden effects that can’t be seen. For example, a roof leak can cause water to seep behind walls and under flooring. A fire can penetrate into walls and affect areas of the home that didn’t actually sustain any physical damage from the fire. A severe storm can cause damage to a home’s roof or windows, which in turn can cause damage to exterior items such as patio furniture, grills, outside appliances and equipment and even landscaping. And lastly, there is the damage to all of the personal property in the home.
A public adjuster’s main role is to help their client (the policyholder) identify all of the losses which occurred during a claim. He or she will document said losses in order to present a strong case before the insurance company. This enables the policyholder to receive the full amount of money that they are supposed to receive under the terms of their insurance contract.
Five Common Types of Damage Found in Single-Family Homes
Each insurance claim is unique and can involve a variety of different types of damage. The following are 5 of the most common types of property damage found in single family homes and how a public adjuster in Delray Beach can assist with each.
1. Roof and Wind Damage
Roof and Wind Damage: The high winds from storms can cause damage to roofing such as shingles and tiles. Soffits, fascia, gutters and downspout can also be damaged from high winds. In addition, windows can be broken from high winds and debris that have been lifted up by strong winds. Many times wind damage is not visible until water begins to enter into the home causing further damage.
2. Water Intrusion
Water can find its way into your home through a variety of situations, including during severe weather. It can leak into your home through your roof or through leaks in the walls and floors. In addition, water can enter your home through plumbing failure or through broken pipes. Also, water can flood into your home from appliances that overflow. Other sources of water in your home that can cause damage if not properly cleaned up can include sinks, toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers. Water can damage many different components of your home including drywall, flooring, cabinets, insulation, ceilings, and electrical systems. There is generally a cost to junk removal companies to remove the trash and debris like Estate Cleanout Services ECS.
3. Mold and Moisture Damage
A house with water damage can have growth of mold and or moisture damage. Even though you may not see any water, it can seep into walls, under carpets and pad, behind baseboards, etc. and it can take a trained professional to remove the damaged items and to remediate the affected areas of your home.
4. Fire and Smoke Damage
While a fire can result in burned out areas of a home, the majority of damage is actually caused to the structure of the home. In most cases, a fire is confined to one room of a home; however, there is usually an abundance of smoke and soot that penetrates into and under surfaces of all of the furnishings and personal property as well as into the painted surfaces and into the drywall of the home. In many cases, the soot and smoke is so deeply embedded that it requires a full restoration of the home in order to completely remove all of the residue of the fire.
5. Damaged Personal Property
Damaged Personal Property: Household Contents. For most homeowners the largest amount of property damage is that which affects their household contents (damaged personal property). Listing and valuing all of the contents on a schedule can be very time-consuming but must be done in order to properly complete a claim for damage to household contents.