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- Insurance Claim Underpaid? A Private Adjuster Can Help
Has your insurance claim been underpaid or outright denied? Hiring a public adjuster (also known as a private adjuster) can be one of the smartest moves in order to make it right. If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for policyholders to become overwhelmed and confused with the different steps taken in order to file an insurance claim. Instead of accepting an insurance settlement that may be far less than what you deserve. Speak to a private adjuster, like Reliant Adjusters, who can save the day. Don’t ever feel like you don’t have another option when presented with an insurance settlement. A private adjuster can help you get what you deserve. What is a Private Adjuster? A private adjuster is an insurance professional who serves as an ambassador and liaison in an insurance claim. Although they are referred to as “private”, they are also called “public adjusters”. Unlike the insurance company, a public adjuster works in your interest and on your behalf. Insurance companies will use their own adjusters when handling a claim. If these adjusters make a mistake, you, as the policyholder, won’t have anyone on your side to properly evaluate it. A private adjuster can give you that knowledgeable representation to get the claim settlement your policy allows for. How Does a Private Adjuster Work For You? A private adjuster works for the policyholder and helps them get a better settlement if they feel underpaid or denied. They are available to a policyholder at any time and people will often hire one at the beginning of the process so they have peace of mind and want to avoid common pitfalls. For homeowners’ insurance, claims can be brought up in a number of ways including storms, fire/smoke, hurricanes, and so on. A private adjuster can help by: Receiving Full and Fair Compensation: Their goal is to make sure you get the most from your claim and that you get full compensation for the damage done. They investigate the claim and document all damage thoroughly. Relieve Stress: They deal with the insurance companies for you so you don’t have to go through the stress of doing so. They provide a security blanket that everything is getting taken care of. By Your Side Through the Process: From start to finish, your adjuster will be by your side. Knowing someone will face the insurance companies for you can be very reassuring. Get Assistance Your Deserve If you live in Florida, you never know when something can happen to your home. You need someone you can count on to get the settlement you deserve. Reliant Adjusters is here to help. We offer the best experience and results when it comes to seeking fair compensation for our clients. If you’re looking for a private adjuster or you have any other questions, visit our contact page today.
- Tips For Submitting A Mold Damage Claim
Discovering mold in your home can be an incredibly taxing experience for any homeowner. Unsightly mold can enter your home through doors, windows, air ducts, pets, and 100s of other avenues. Coupled with South Florida’s high humidity and constant downpours, mold spores can grow exponentially in your home, leaving unhealthy and hard to remove spores throughout your home. One of the biggest concerns with discovering mold in your home is the health hazards that come with it. According to the CDC, even low exposure to mold can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, red & itchy eyes, fever, shortness of breath, asthma, and upper respiratory infections. The longer mold has to grow, the more damage it causes — which is why you must get to work as soon as possible to contain the issue and nip it in the bud before it can grow out of control. Found mold in your home? Here are some essential tips to know when filing a mold damage claim to your insurance: Make Your Claim ASAP Time is of the essence as your mold continues to spread throughout your home, which is why you should start the claims process as soon as you first spot it. Mold can spread from walls to furniture and other belongings, so giving it the time to do so is a recipe for disaster. Don’t Clean Up While knowing disgusting mold is growing in your home, you should resist all urges to clean it up. Mold damage is rarely ever just surface level and will require professional mold remediators to open up sections of your walls and floors to ensure all mold sources are removed entirely. These professionals utilize a variety of specialty chemicals to get the job done, which is why this is best left to the pros. Don’t Throw Anything Away Similarly to cleaning up, do not throw anything away! It can drive you crazy staring at that sofa with mold spores on it, but you should leave everything as is until your insurance can send a claims adjuster of their own to assess and evaluate themselves. The entire situation should be left as-is for them to paint the full picture. Review Your Homeowner’s Policy You should review your “declarations” page to get the full scope of what is covered under your insurance. Typically, mold is covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy under a covered peril (burst pipe, fallen object, an accidental & immediate situation). Keep in mind that mold is typically covered if there is a primary covered loss that causes it to form. Contact A Public Adjuster Just like your insurance company has claims adjusters to decide on the right claim amount to offer you, some public claims adjusters are here to assist you in receiving the fairest amount possible. Your adjuster will come to your home and create a fair estimate of the damages incurred. They get to work negotiating for you against the insurance company to guarantee you walk away with the right claim amount. If you’ve suffered from mold damage in your home, don’t fret. Contact the Reliant Adjusters Group team today. We have the necessary experience to help you get the mold damage claim amount you deserve. As claims specialists in South Florida, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners get the right amount from their insurance providers. To learn more about how we can assist you through your mold claim, simply contact us online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826.
- How To Detect A Plumbing Leak
Suffering from a hidden plumbing leak can be a disaster, especially if you haven’t even realized a leak is occurring. Water leaking from your pipes can cause significant damage throughout your home and even lead to mold spores forming which can ultimately lead to severe health hazards to you and your loved ones. Before it’s too late, we here at Reliant Public Adjusters strongly recommend checking for plumbing leaks periodically. Early detection of a water leak can be the difference between saving money and disaster. By following these steps, you can routinely ensure your home is safe from a plumbing leak. Check Your Water Meter One of the best methods for checking for a plumbing leak is to check your water meter. To do so, you’ll first have to turn off all sources of water in your home. This can include any faucets, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, etc. This will ensure that there’s no water being used throughout your home. If you notice the water meter is still changing, you likely have a fast moving leak. If you don’t see anything immediately, wait two to three hours. Check and again and if you see a change, that means you have a slow moving leak. The leak could be anywhere after the water meter or potentially underground, so as soon as you recognize that there is a leak you should immediately get to work hunting where the leak is occurring. Monitor Your Usage If you’ve noticed a rising water bill but your water usage hasn’t changed, chances are you’re experiencing a running leak somewhere in your home. Your water bill should be roughly the same month to month, so a major change could be a major indicator. If your household is using more water monthly, it could also mean that you have a leak waiting to form. The EPA suggests that if a family is using more than 12,000 gallons of water a month, there could be a serious leak forming. Use Food Coloring Toilets utilize roughly 30% of your entire home’s water consumption, so if you have a leak, there’s a good chance it’s stemming from your toilet’s plumbing. A trick to spotting a water leak is to use a bit of food coloring in the tank of your toilets. After waiting 10 minutes, check the toilet bowl. If you see food coloring, that means there’s a leak allowing water to flow from the tank to the drain without ever flushing. By following these steps, you’ll be able to detect a plumbing leak before it ever strikes. If you’ve suffered from a plumbing leak of any size, don’t call your insurance company first – call us. The Reliant Adjusters team will get to work for you to ensure you get the proper claim amount to cover any damages and repairs. We know how difficult of a time this can be, which is why we do everything in our power to help you. For more information, contact us today either online or at (561) 929-9826.
- Rain Damage And What It Could Mean For Me
Living in South Florida, you know that as quick as the sky can be entirely blue without a cloud above, a heavy thunderstorm can start in a matter of moments. South Florida rains can last anywhere from a matter of minutes to hours on end, dropping tons of water in its wake right over your home. While we immediately worry about the street and sidewalk flooding and getting caught outside without an umbrella, both minor and major rainstorms could cause significant damage to your home. If left unchecked and ignored, your home could be suffering from hidden damage all around. Some of the most common types of damage from rain in South Florida include: Damaged Roof Tiles: Heavy thunderstorms in Florida can potentially damage your roof. As your home’s first line defense, they’re built to withstand the torrential downpours we face. That said, your roof isn’t impenetrable. Some thunderstorms are strong enough to shift roof tiles or break trees, powerlines, etc. , which can land on your roof. Once your roof is damaged and the waterseal fails and allows easy passage for water to leak through and cause further damage throughout your home. Flooding: While the occasional sun shower is nothing to worry about, Florida is known for experiencing severe downpours from thunderstorms all year round, as well as tropical storms & hurricanes. Most Florida home builders have designed our houses with that in mind, however, substantial rains can still make their way into your home. Water Stains: A byproduct of a damaged roof, water stains form on the ceiling as rainwater makes its way through. Water will sit stagnant on your ceiling before forming an unsightly brown or blackish ring. In some cases, too much water can lead to depressions in your ceiling forming from the weight of the water. If left untreated immediately, the water will eventually make its way through cracks in the depression, leaving mold and mildew to grow on your ceiling. Mold Formations: With stagnant water seeping into your home, it creates the perfect environment for mold growth to form in the dark damp corners throughout the house. Coupled with Florida’s humidity, you have a perfect environment for mold to spread throughout your home without you ever knowing. Mold formations can lead to health risks such as skin rashes, sore throat, sinusitis, Aspergillosis, and more. If you’ve suffered rain or water damage anywhere in your home, reach out to the Reliant Adjusters team first. As the leading public adjuster group in South Florida, we’ll do everything we can to help you receive the fairest and maximized claim amount possible. For a free consultation, contact us online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 today!
- How To Tell If You Have A Roof Leak
As South Florida continues to get pummeled by the daily onslaught of heavy thunderstorms throughout the rainy season, it’s vital that homeowners keep a close eye on their roofs. According to the U.S. Census, roughly 35-40% of all homes in the tri-county area were built in the 60s and 70s. With most roof lifespans only lasting 30 years, chances are your home is already gearing towards the end of its second roof’s life. This, coupled with the torrential downpours, could lead to you dealing with a roof leak. You can usually tell right away if you see a water spot forming on the ceiling, but what are some other telltale signs of a roof leak you might not be aware of? Interior Ceiling Spots The most obvious sign of a roof leak, ceiling spots are the tell tale sign of a roof leaking and seeping water down until it sits on the ceiling. Ceiling spots caused by a roof leak are either dark or brown in coloration, as well as faint brownish rings that form around the stain. These ceiling spots tend to form in the center of your ceiling, but can also be found hiding in corners where they could easily be missed. Cracked Tiles or Missing Shingles You can tell right away if you have a roof leak in South Florida by going up and checking your roof for yourself. While missing tiles due to age and strong wind speeds leave large gaps for water to enter your home, cracked tiles can cause just as much damage if left untreated for too long. Rainwater can track down through cracks from your roof and towards your ceiling. As South Floridians, you must regularly check on your roof, especially if it was built before 2000. Wet Roof Deck Similar to a ceiling stain, having a damp roof deck is a direct sign of a roof leak. You can spot these as dark spots that form on the wood of your attic. While a clear indicator of a roof leak, these can be difficult to trace back to the source as the water will typically run down the slope of the roof before sitting and forming that spot. Exterior Wall Growth If you suspect you have a hidden roof leak, we strongly recommend inspecting the exterior of your home for excessive amounts of mold, moss, or fungi growing. These pests tend to grow in dark, damp environments, so finding them on a part of the wall where they don’t belong is likely caused by moisture seeping through the walls via a leak in your roof. Dripping The most obvious sign of a leaking roof is drippage. This can be either the sound of dripping or an actual stream dripping from your ceiling. The drip will typically start from the point of a ceiling spot where the water has collected and the ceiling can’t support its weight any longer. If you have noticeable drippage occurring, we recommend calling an emergency repair professional to fix it or place a tarp on the roof before it turns into a much more serious situation. If you have a roof leak caused by heavy rains, chances are you’re planning on reaching out to your insurance provider to file a claim to cover the cost of repairs. Before you do, make sure to contact the team at Reliant Adjusters Group. We’ll assist you in receiving the proper amount for your claim so you can get the necessary repairs made. We’ve made it our goal to provide homeowners with the best representation possible against insurance providers for their South Florida roof leak claim. Contact us today online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 to learn more about how Reliant Adjusters Group can help you.
- Tropical Storm Fred, And What It Could Mean For You
While many of us South Floridians have been incredibly fortunate to have made it through Hurricane Season 2021 without a heavy storm thus far, there’s still three months left before we can let our guard down. In fact, South Floridaian’s should be on guard as Tropical Storm Fred makes its way through the Caribbean islands and towards Florida. While it hasn’t made national headlines, Tropical Storm Fred is just mere days away from making landfall, so it’s crucial that you and your loved ones know the details before it makes landfall. Tropical Storm Fred is expected to come ashore on Wednesday night and will continue through Friday with strong winds, heavy rains, and the potential for tornadoes. The storm has already kicked up some rough surf along our coastlines which could cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas as well as major beach erosion. To help you stay informed about what might happen during the storm, here are some things you should know: When Will It Arrive? While it’s rather difficult to properly predict when Tropical Storm Fred will reach South Florida, it’s expected that the storm will reach Friday (August 13th) around roughly 8pm. Residents in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami Dade should expect to feel both the rain and winds of Tropical Storm Fred throughout the night till around 10am Saturday (August 14th). What Can I Expect? With any major storm, you should make preparations against severely inclement weather, no matter the strength of the storm. From high winds and torrential downpours as well as flash floods, tropical storms and hurricanes alike bring dangerous environmental hazards. These heavy winds can also lead to downed trees, broken windows, broken power lines, etc. Based on Tropical Storm Fred’s active tracking pattern, South Florida will likely feel the storm overhead, but it won’t be on its direct path, as it appears to be making its way towards the Gulf of Mexico and the western coast of Florida. How Much Rain Will There Be? Based on current projections, homeowners and business owners alike throughout the tri-county area can expect anywhere between one to four inches of rain in their area. The west coast will likely experience heavier rainfalls as Fred passes by, with rainfall likely to be between three and eight inches. Will My Property Sustain Any Damage? With any major storm, there’s always the possibility of your home or business being damaged. Flood waters can see in through cracks and doorways, or heavy winds can down trees and destroy windows. While tropical storms are certainly more mild than hurricanes, they’re still dangerous storms that should be treated with respect. Finding your home has been damaged following a tropical storm or hurricane can be extremely discouraging, leaving you to wonder where you start or where you go from here. While your first step might be to reach out to your insurance company, call the experts at Reliant Adjusters Group first. Our public adjusters will help you personally navigate the process of getting the most for your tropical storm damage claim. Simply give us a call today at (561) 929-9826 and we’ll provide you with a no obligation free consultation.
- Tropical Storm Elsa: What To Know & What To Do
With Hurricane Season 2021 underway, Floridians across the state must watch and monitor as new named storms begin to form in the Atlantic. While still early in the cycle, South Floridians and Central Floridians alike are already preparing for the first storm to come our direction: Tropical Storm Elsa. While Elsa may be making landfall as a tropical storm, it’s important to be aware of what that means for you, your family, and your home. Make no mistake – just because Elsa is a tropical storm does not mean it should be treated lightly. Rather than be scrambling for the answers when it’s too late, here’s what you need to know about Tropical Storm Elsa. What To Know About Hurricane Season 2021’s Tropical Storm Elsa Tropical Storm Elsa is an Atlantic storm that formed on June 30th, just the third named storm this year. Before reaching Florida, it became a category 1 hurricane before making landfall over the western part of Cuba. While it was initially expected to cross directly over the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, it has turned left towards the Gulf of Mexico and the western coast of Florida. Elsa officially made landfall in Florida on Tuesday, July 6th, with sustained winds of 70 miles per hour. Much of the western coast of Florida is actively under a hurricane warning as Elsa inches forward along the coast. With 70mph winds, Elsa is expected to become a category 1 hurricane once again at 75mph, and with the Gulf’s typically warm waters, it’s highly likely. Much of the east coast is expected to receive heavy rainfall from the outer bands, while the west coast will feel the brunt of the rain and wind. Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to continue its path up the west coast and begin to turn left on Wednesday, July 7th just north of Tampa. How To Protect Your Home Or Business Against Hurricanes and Tropical Storms As Tropical Storm Elsa inches its way towards Florida, it’s crucial that you properly protect your home or business. While typically not considered a major storm, tropical storms and category 1 hurricanes still bring significantly devastating winds, rains, and flooding with them, especially storms that ride the coast such as Elsa. We strongly recommend having your shutters closed to protect windows and against projectiles launched from the strong winds. If you do not have shutters, use wood panels to secure any potential hazard. If you are located along the west coast of Florida, take the necessary precautions to safeguard your belongings as best as possible from potential flooding. If your local or state officials have requested an emergency evacuation, do so. Do not try and stay put. This is an unnecessary risk that puts you and your family in danger. What To Do If Your Home or Business Has Been Damaged By A Tropical Storm or Hurricane If your home or business has been damaged by Tropical Storm Elsa, don’t panic. It can feel like all hope is lost if you’ve experienced any sort of storm damage, from roof damage to flooding, but you’re not alone. Whatever storm damage you’ve experienced from Elsa, the team at Reliant Adjusters Group can help. We work directly with clients who’ve gone through the same and their insurance providers to get them the best claim return possible. We take the time to really understand your situation and fight for you and your family in this time of crisis. If you’ve been affected by storm damage, water damage, or roof damage caused by Tropical Storm Elsa, contact Reliant Adjusters Group. Our team is ready to assist and provide you with a free consultation. Simply give us a call at (561) 929-9826 to get started today.
- What Does Roof Storm Damage Mean For Me?
While most homes in South Florida are built to withstand high wind speeds and destructive storms, there’s only so much the building can withstand before taking some amount of storm damage. We hope that it never happens to us, but you may find that after the storm has passed your home’s roof has been damaged. It’s your home’s first line of defense, so it’s crucial to get it repaired as soon as possible to avoid any further damage. As roof damage can bring a hefty price tag to repair or replace, the first logical step is to reach out to your insurance provider. Before contact them, though, consider the following steps first: Evaluate The Damage The first step to figuring out the extent of the storm damage is to actually assess the damage. Understanding how your roof is damaged and where it was damaged can provide key details when discussing with your insurance provider and the contractor you hire. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary repair costs and other discrepancies. Either climb up onto the roof if safe to do so, or use a pair of binoculars to evaluate the square footage of the roof that’s been damaged. You should make a note of how severe the damage is and if there are any blatant holes in your roof. Be aware of any shingles that are missing or damaged as well. Make Any Immediately Repairs As Needed As it will take some time for your contractor and their team to actually get out on the job, it’s crucial that you make any immediately necessary repairs. Placing a tarp on the roof and utilizing sandbags to hold it down will protect your homes from any direct leaks seeping through into your home. Remove any valuables in the direct vicinity of potential leaking water to avoid further damage. We also recommend placing towels and buckets to catch any rainwater that makes its way into your home. Contact A Public Adjuster While it may seem like the next step is to contact your insurance provider to discuss the roof storm damage claim process, there is one critical step that needs to take place first: contacting a south Florida public adjuster. While the serious roof damage impeding your day to day life is very important to you, your insurance provider will look to financially protect themselves. A public adjuster works with you and your insurance provider to maximize your claim amount and get you the money needed to get the storm damage repairs taken care of. Here at Reliant Adjusters Group, we’ve made it our mission to provide homeowners and business owners alike with the best representation possible against insurance providers when it comes to their South Florida storm damage claims. If your roof has experienced roof storm damage recently, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Contact us today to receive a free consultation, simply reach out online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 to get started!
- How To Prevent Fire Damage In Your Home
While we all hope it never happens to us, fire damage in your home is a very real possibility on any given day. It’s an overwhelming experience that can be mentally and emotionally taxing for even the strongest people. Losing your home to a fire leaves families with unforeseen challenges, not sure of where to go or who to turn to. Many house fires can be stopped quickly and efficiently if homeowners are up to date on all fire preparedness tools and techniques. Before a fire catches you or your family off-guard, consider the following: Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are absolute must-haves in any home. Most homes come with them already installed, however, if yours happens to not have them, we strongly recommend purchasing and having them installed as soon as possible, as they can be the difference between life and death. Do not attempt to install them, but rather hire a professional electrician who can properly connect them to your home’s wiring. Many will come with a battery backup in case your home loses power for whatever reason. You should check your alarms at least once a month just to ensure that they’re functioning properly. Everyone in the home should be fully aware of what each alarm sounds like, so if they ever hear one they know exactly what to do and where to go and what to do. Have A Fire Extinguisher Or home Fire Sprinkler System At The Ready When the smoke alarm does go off, it’s vital to have the tools necessary to fight back. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher available. We strongly recommend having the extinguisher close to the kitchen, as it’s the likeliest space in your home where a fire can start. Everyone living in the home should be familiar with operating a fire extinguisher. To quickly remember, use the phrase PASS: Pull the pin and release the lock Aim the fire extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the fire Squeeze the lever slowly Sweep from side to side Should a fire ever break out and you have the fire extinguisher available, make sure to point your back towards the exit as you spray. This gives you the ability to flee should a fire grow out of control. While it does require more work to have installed, a residential fire sprinkler system can be a tremendous difference-maker when the flames start to build. The sprinkler system will immediately react as the fire is small, preventing it from growing out of proportion. However, this could potentially lead to some water damage over the affected area that will need to be addressed. Review Your Home For Any Potential Hazards While it may not seem like it, most homes are filled with serious hazards that could lead to a fire starting out of nowhere. Things like extension cords with too many plugs and frayed wires can be a serious danger that needs to be taken care of right away. Other dangers include the dryer’s lint trap, as well as something as simple as glassware left out in the sun. Fires can be random in nature, but they can be controlled if managed right away. With fires come unforeseen damages, such as water damage from sprinklers and firefighters, smoke & soot damage to furniture and appliances from the fire, and more. If you’ve recently experienced fire damage in your home or business and don’t know where to turn, consider the team at Reliant Public Adjusters. We’ll help you during this time of distress to assist with getting you the right amount for your insurance claim. Contact us today to learn more about our services by filling out our form online, or by giving us a call at (561) 929-9826.
- Hurricane Season & You: What To Know And What To Do
With hurricane season 2021 quickly approaching, it’s vital that South Florida homeowners are ready and prepared for what’s to come. Each year we wait with bated breath as storm after storm makes its slow approach towards South Florida. While we’ve been rather lucky for the most part through the last few years, all it takes is one storm, as many of us have experienced personally. Because of this lapse in danger, many homeowners have grown to write off hurricane season as nothing to fear. However, this just simply isn’t the case. Before that first storm starts inching its way towards South Florida, make sure you’re aware of the following: When Does Hurricane Season Start? The official hurricane season 2021 starts June 1st and ends on November 30th. That said, the National Hurricane Center recently announced that its unofficial start is May 15th. This is due to the increasing amount of tropical depressions and storms in the past few years that are starting to form well before the standard June 1st start date. While they may not seem like much, tropical-storm-force winds can still blow at speeds upwards of 70 miles per hour. This certainly isn’t something to ignore and can lead to uprooted trees and downed power lines. It’s highly recommended that homeowners start planning for hurricane season 2021 now in advance. What Are Some Essentials Homeowners Should Have? A few days before a hurricane shouldn’t be when you start hunting for supplies. Chances are, stores will be packed to the brim with other procrastinators, making supply for most essentials rather slim. This hurricane season 2021, consider stocking up on these must-haves so you and your family are ready well in advance: Water – At least a three day supply; a gallon per person per day Food – At least a three day supply of nonperishable food & easy to prepare foods Flashlight Battery Power Radio First Aid Kit Medication Personal Documents (birth certificates, insurance policies, deed/lease for the home) Personal Home Generator (For Outdoor Use ONLY) Be prepared in the event that you may lose power for an extended period as electricians work to get power lines reestablished. While you can use a generator to power specific appliances and essential electronics in your home, DO NOT use the generator within your home. These generators produce an excessive amount of carbon monoxide which can be deadly when exposed to for an extended period. In the event of an extremely powered storm coming towards South Florida, we also strongly recommend having an evacuation plan in place for you and your family. Always be aware of what local experts and representatives are saying in the event of an emergency, as you should not try and stay in your home. What To Do If Your Home Is Damaged During A Hurricane? Hurricanes bring devastating winds which can reach speeds in excess of 160 miles per hour, as well as torrential downpours that can lead to storm surges and flooding. While many of us take precautions such as shutters and stormproof glass, these storms can still wreak havoc. If your home is damaged in any way during a hurricane, don’t panic. The team at Reliant Public Adjusters is here to help. While your insurance provider does want to help, they will battle to minimize the amount they have to pay out to you. We here at Reliant know how taxing this can be after experiencing such a traumatic experience, which is why we’ll both walk you through the steps you have to follow, along with fighting for you to maximize your claim from the insurance company. Contact us online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 to learn more about how we can help you get the most for your insurance claim today.
- Tips To Maximize Your Fire Damage Claim in South Florida
Losing your home to fire damage can be a taxing experience. You never expect it to happen to you and your family, and when it does happen it can be like losing a part of yourself. It may feel like all hope is lost, but you’re not alone. Unfortunately, these situations do come up, which is why the team at Reliant Public Adjusters is here to help. When it comes time to report a fire damage claim, consider the following tips to maximize your return. Report Your Loss Before you move on to any other step of your fire damage claim in South Florida, you’ll first need to contact your insurance provider. You should notify them of your loss as soon as possible, allowing the claim process to get started quickly. Request a copy of your homeowner’s policy to review right away. If it was destroyed in the fire, your insurance agent can provide you with a new one via email. Request An Advance From Your Insurance Provider Losing your home completely or partially to a fire is a traumatizing experience. It can be overwhelming just trying to figure out where to even start. On top of it, there’s the added stress of figuring out how to even pay for immediate repairs, temporary housing, etc. Thankfully, you can request an advance from your insurance provider to cover these urgent issues. Itemize Your Losses Arguably the most essential step towards filing your fire damage claim in South Florida is to itemize all damages and losses sustained. This is a difficult and stressful task, as it can take months to properly list out everything that you and your family lost. Your insurance provider will give you a Contents form to itemize all losses. However, do not immediately sign anything that indicates your first initial discussion is the full amount of losses. We understand how difficult it can be to relive the damages sustained, but it’s crucial to accurately note every single damage and item lost. Include photos, videos, detailed descriptions of every single damage sustained. If you manage to have purchase records or receipts of certain items lost, make sure to include those as well. Get The Help You Deserve From A Public Claims Adjuster While your insurance provider and agent do care about you and your family’s well-being, they are going to do what they can to protect themselves on your fire damage claim in South Florida. On top of everything you’ve endured, it can feel like an impossible battle to maximize your claim, but you don’t have to do it alone. Public adjusters from Reliant Adjusters Group have the skills and experience needed to navigate you through the hoops and hurdles that come with a house fire damage claim in South Florida. Our adjusters act on your behalf to work directly with your insurance company. Our public adjusters will do everything in their power to help you when you need it most. We work on a contingency fee only, and we are paid only when the claim check arrives. If you or your loved ones have been affected by a house fire and have recently filed a fire damage claim in South Florida, contact us today at (561) 929-9826.
- Just A Ceiling Stain Or Worse?
Practically every homeowner in South Florida has grown accustomed to the constant storms that rain down nearly all year long. They’re used to sleeping through the loudest thunderstorms and have shutters & impact windows installed for when hurricane season rolls through. While South Floridians are prepared for just about any scenario Mother Nature throws their way, they do fear one thing: that dreaded ceiling stain. They show up without warning and when you least expect it. It may be tempting to brush it off as just some dirt or wear & tear from the age of your home but don’t. Ceiling stains are an immediate red flag that need to be taken seriously the moment you spot them. The moment you spot a ceiling stain starts to form, consider the immediate dos and don’ts. DO Try To Pinpoint The Source While ceiling stains may show up at random and without warning, there’s likely a root source leading to it. A leaking shower on the upstairs bathroom could lead to water slowly but surely leaking through. Drain pipes or diverters could have a slight drip coming out, which can cause that stain to form. A strong storm or hurricane has the potential to lift up roof tiles, allowing for torrential downpours to enter and cause water damage throughout your ceiling. Whatever the cause may be, it’s vital to spot the root cause and document and damage before you fix any immediate damage to stop any more leakage. Oftentimes we recommend the owner place a tarp on the roof to preserve the damages while stopping more water from entering the structure. DON’T Try To Cover It Up Everyone’s initial instinct is to cover up the stain and put it to bed. “Out of sight out of mind” might work for other issues, but your ceiling stain can be much more serious than that. Water damage can cause swelling on the wood in your walls, as well as possible mold. This isn’t something you want to pretend isn’t an issue and leave it for the next homeowner. Mold can lead to your entire family getting sick, especially if left untreated. DO Contact A Public Adjuster Right Away The moment a ceiling stain starts to form, don’t panic. It’s scary to think that your ceiling stain can be a deeper issue with damaged structural support beams and more. The dollar signs start to stack up which leads to endless stress. Take a deep breath, and contact a public adjuster. They’ll work with you to evaluate the damages and contact your insurance provider directly. Public adjusters will fight to ensure you get the best possible payout needed so you can get the proper repairs made. Have a ceiling stain that just formed in your home? Contact Reliant Adjusters Group, South Florida’s premier public adjuster. We’ve worked with hundreds of homeowners across South Florida to get them the best possible payout. We specialize in water damage claims, as well as several other possible residential and commercial claims. Contact us online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 for any inquiries.