We have the opportunity to see insurance claims every day. Each claim is unique due to every policyholder and circumstance being individual. There is not a simple solution to any situation that involves potentially or definitely making a claim with your insurance. We prioritize educating and explaining to every homeowner the state of their situation and all their potential steps forward. The questions and answers below were designed to hopefully give you direction on how to begin your road to recovery. At a minimum, you should know that your insurance company is a for-profit business that you are able to NEGOTIATE with. They have their own self-interest in mind, and understand how to move forward through every situation. It is up to you to stand your ground and dictate what your premium pays for.
How dangerous is mold?
Mold is very dangerous. If a person ingest or breathes in mold their life could be at risk. It is possible that a doctor may misdiagnose when the effects of mold are taking place. It’s important to inform your doctor if you think you have come across mold. Mold grows with a combination of moisture, darkness,and low levels of air flow. Once you eliminate any one of the three factors needed to grow mold; the mold that grew will die. Unfortunately, the negative effects of mold continue even after it dies. Once the mold begins to rot it will off gas toxic fumes that can also make you sick. Contact us to get in touch with a licensed mold assessor and insurance expert that can walk you through this journey and deduce mold and the cause of the growth.
What to do when mold is discovered…
Mold grows with a combination of moisture, darkness,and low levels of air flow. Establishing what caused the moisture is the first step of moving forward. A mold assessor will be the most qualified, licensed expert in finding the moisture and deducing your best recovery options. Many times the mold you see is a result of a leaky plumbing or roof system. Be cautious when informing your insurance company, the terminology you use can determine how they will treat your claim. This can lead to a denial or limitation of recovery funding. A public adjuster would be the best in setting up your insurance claim to ensure that you get what your premium pays for. Contact us to get in touch with a licensed mold assessor and insurance expert that can walk you through this journey.
How do I clean mold?
The EPA has guidelines when dealing with mold infestation and clean up. In most cases the contaminated material is simply removed and replaced. The rule of thumb is to extract contaminated material until you get three feet of clearance past where mold can be seen in any direction. There are special topical disinfectants that are made for ratifying the mold. Special equipment is used to capture the mold spores. Special containment barriers are used to limit the travel of the spore into other areas of the property. There are companies whose focus is on mold clean up but they can be expensive.Your insurance will pay in some cases limited amounts of money to address the mold portion of your problem. Contact us to get in touch with a licensed mold assessor and insurance expert that can walk you through this journey.
These last bits of information are something every property owner should be aware of, no matter the type of claim. The adjuster your insurance will send you has no training in construction or estimating. Relying on their opinion is the same as relying on your auto mechanic or barber on what it would cost to fix your damaged property. It’s also never the obligation of an insurance company to make sure that any repair restores the resale values of your property. Your insurance company's only obligation is to pay the claim. You should seek expert advice on how to have a successful insurance claim outcome.