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When a pipe bursts, a drain backs up, or a flood occurs in your home, it can be hard to see past the mess. Panic runs through your mind. Guardian Public Adjusters and Claim Consultants knows how stressful those moments can be and have compiled the following tips:

Not all water damage is covered by your insurance.
It is a good idea to look over your insurance policy and familiarize yourself with any exclusion to your water damage coverage. For instance, some policies cover sudden damage, like water damage from a really bad storm or from an overflowing washing machine. Any water damage that happens because you didn’t maintain the property may be excluded, as well as gradual leaks that caused water damage over time.

There are different insurance policies for flood damage and water damage. If you live in an area likely to experience flooding, you will probably already have a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP). In addition, you may need to buy additional coverage for mold remediation.

Once water damage has happened, the clock is ticking before it gets worse.
Water damage restoration is very difficult and time-consuming. Be mindful that mold spreads very quickly and may affect large areas within days. So, it is very important to remove excess water and fully dry all household materials as soon as possible. It is important that prior to touching anything, you document the damage with photographs.

Remove pools of water by mopping or blotting (never use your vacuum cleaner to extract water!), wipe water drops from wood furniture and take wet upholstery and cushions outside (or to a climate-controlled room) to dry, remove area rugs from wet flooring, etc. If mold is present you will need to contact a professional. If so, don’t forget to request certificates for repairs and remediation from your hired mold remediator or you may be denied coverage.

Your insurance company needs to know right away.
It’s a good idea to call your insurance company right away when you discover water damage. Your insurance agent can start the claims process immediately, as well as guide you through the first steps you will need to take to protect your property from more damage, like stopping the source of the water at the main water turnoff.

Claim Tip: Water damage and flood damage are in fact completely different with one being covered and one excluded under common property insurance policies. Be careful of the terminology you use with your insurance company when you call in your claim.

Your insurance company may also direct you to a water damage restoration company that they have worked with in the past. Keep in mind that you do not have to call the company that they recommend. You may choose any reputable restoration specialist to restore your property for the insurance claim.

How to Ensure a Smooth Claims Process

As soon as you have reviewed your insurance policy, gathered enough evidence, and created an inventory of your damaged possessions, you need to prepare a written notice to your insurance company to make your official claim. Provide all the relevant information and explain important details at length. It is essential to keep a log that lists all your conversations with the insurance company (including the time, date, name of the person, and what you talked about). Keep copies of letters or other documents you have sent to the company or received from them.

The company will send an adjuster to your home to inspect the damage. The adjuster may be a full-time employee of the insurance company, an independent contractor who provides claims services to insurance companies, or a public adjuster who will work for you. If you decide to hire a public adjuster, you have the greatest chance for insurance claim success – the experienced professional will handle all aspects of your claim (assisting with temporary housing, inventorying contents, and providing estimates for the repair work), as well as all negotiations with your insurance company to ensure a fair and beneficial claims process.

At Guardian Public Adjusters, your representative works for you, not your insurance company. So, if you’re interested in getting the payout you deserve following water damage or other disaster, call us today at 309-267-4490 to see how we can help.

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Labels: guardian public adjusters guardian public adjusters and claim consultation national flood insurance policy water damage water damage insurance what you need to know about claiming water damage

Location: 701 Ann Eliza St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA

In recent days, the natural disasters that have decimated areas of the US and Caribbean have left many people thinking about what they need to do to prepare for such a catastrophe. Proper insurance is the first step to protect your home, but knowing what to expect in the insurance claim process if your home should incur storm damage is also important.

• Contact your insurance company – This should happen as soon as you are able. Provide an accurate description of the damage. This is important because insurers often base schedules on the hardest hit areas first. Write down all the important information including your claim number. It is also important to ask when the adjustor will contact you. Know that if the damage from the storm is widespread, this could take several days to weeks or even months.
• Document everything – Take some time to make a comprehensive list of everything damaged as a result of the storm. This might include personal belongings, home damage, and even exterior issues. If you are able, take photos and even video to further document your losses. If you know the date you purchased items and the approximate value of each, make a note of that as well. And, if you have receipts for any damaged items, make a copy and include that documentation.
• Note any expenditures – Sometimes your insurance company will give you permission to start working on clean-up even before an adjuster can assess the area. You might also need to make immediate repairs to ensure your home is secure and safe. Finally, you may stay in a hotel because of the damage. If any of these scenarios occur, be sure to keep all receipts and submit them to the insurance company.
• Do not discard – Always check with your insurance company before you throw any items damaged in the storm. They may need to be shown to the adjuster. If you have to throw things away for safety reasons, be sure to take photos.
• Claim diary – Make a comprehensive list of everyone you speak with at your insurance company. Note the date, the subject of the conversation and any outcomes that were discussed.

At Guardian Public Adjusters and ClaimConsultants, we understand the stresses of picking up the pieces after storm damage. Contact us to learn more about our services.

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Labels: guardian public adjusters public adjustment process storm insurance

Location: 701 Ann Eliza St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,345,500 fires in 2015. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths and 15,700 civilian injuries and $14.3 billion in property damage. The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

• One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.
• One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutes.
• One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• One outside and other fire was reported every 52 seconds.
• One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 seconds.

A fire can happen to anyone at any time. Even when loved ones are safe, the impact of losing property and your home or business can be devastating. You may need to relocate to temporary housing and quickly replace items like clothing and food. The emotional and physical toll can be debilitating.  Add the stress of dealing with your insurance company and having to advocate for a full and fair settlement is not only unpleasant but also exhausting.

Fire damage to your property may be obvious. There may be burns, charred wiring, and even parts of your home or business that can no longer be used. The most significant losses are often harder to determine. That can be due to lingering smoke and soot causing unpleasant smells and health risks. Structural elements can be damaged, creating the risk of collapse. Even internal wiring and plumbing might be affected.

For all of these reasons, it’s important to have a team of experts who understand fire damage advocating on your behalf when you file an insurance claim. You need someone who understands the nature of fire damage claims. You also want expert advice when it comes to determining the value of your losses, completing insurance forms, and negotiating with adjusters.

Our Guardian Public Adjusters are ready to step in and ensure you get the maximum value from your home or commercial insurance policy. We’ll work directly with you every step of the way:

• Evaluating the complete extent of the fire damage to your home or business
•  Searching your property for hidden damages or losses
• Figuring out the value of items that were lost or damaged
• Assisting you with the completion of insurance claim forms
• Working with insurers to get you a quick settlement

It’s never easy to recover from a fire but positive feelings can begin to re-emerge as the focus shifts towards the future. Safety, security, and comfort are regained, and life moves forward once again because Guardian Public Adjusters and Claim Consultants helps make working with your insurance company faster, easier, and more equitable. Call us today at 309-267-4490 to see what we can do for you.

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Labels: fire damage claims Fire damage insurance claims guardian public adjusters and claim consultation Insurance claims Public adjuster

Location: 701 Ann Eliza St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA

When tragedy strikes your home or business, waiting around for an insurance adjuster’s settlement may leave you with little to no recourse in claiming the compensation due for your loss. Knowing your rights with regard to your insurance coverage can be confusing and overwhelming. A public adjuster can help you receive an appropriate settlement in accordance with what is spelled out in your policy.

• A neutral third-party – Unlike the adjuster who works for your insurance company, a public adjuster works for you. This means that they only have your best interest in mind and not that of the insurance company.
• Understanding of your policy – Insurance policies are often written in confusing jargon that only someone with insurance knowledge is able to decipher. A public adjuster knows how to read both business and homeowner’s insurance policies and understands how they work. This means that they can provide a fair damage value based on the terms of your agreement.
• Get back on track – A public adjuster can give you the time to focus on getting your personal life or business on track by taking away the anxiety of having to settle an insurance claim before you are able to make repairs to your property. The adjuster can focus on your claim saving you from the distractions of dealing with your insurance company. In addition, if your loss claimed the life of a loved one, the public adjuster can step in and ensure that you are cared for while you are handling your personal affairs.
• Receive a fair settlement – Even after your insurance claim has been closed, if you are not satisfied with the amount offered by the insurance company, the adjuster can work to reopen the claim.
• No fees upfront – A public adjuster is typically not paid an upfront or hourly fee, rather they are paid a percentage of the amount received on the claim. In addition to being cost-effective, it also ensures that they will work hard to get the largest settlement possible.

At Guardian Public Adjusters, we are here to assist you in getting a fair amount for your loss. We work with families and businesses in Illinois when they suffer a catastrophic loss including a fire, flood or storm damage. Contact our team today to learn more about our public adjuster services.

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Labels: Commercial insurance claims Disaster recovery Fire damage insurance claims Insurance claims Public adjuster Residential insurance claims

Location: 701 Ann Eliza St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA