Property Damage Claims in Commercial and Residential Properties May Expose Unexpected Hazards

When property damage occurs, one of the first things a policy holder will typically do is call their insurance company.  The insurance company will send out one of their adjusters to inspect the damage and if it is covered under the policy, an offer to settle the claim will usually be made within a short time frame. 

It is to the benefit of the insurance company to quickly settle these claims and for lowest monetary figure possible.  One issue that may arise and could be overlooked in residential and commercial properties that were built up until the late 1970s is the presence of several hazardous materials. Lead-based paints are a prime example. Exposure to lead-based paints are one of the greatest lead poisoning risks for the public. Demolition and repair activities can create potential exposure hazards if the toxic paints are not recognized. Also, properly handling these materials can be exponentially more expensive than dealing with modern paints and finishes.  

“Lead-based paints were commonly used up until 1978 when they were banned for use in housing,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “Lead is just one potential danger in older properties as other materials, such as asbestos, are also still present in many residential and commercial properties.  Policy holders of these older buildings need to be aware of these potential hazards and not rush to have repair work completed without taking these risks into consideration. This is why utilizing a public adjuster who is experienced in building construction materials and environmental hazards, in addition to the insurance claims process, can be of incredible value to anyone with a property damage claim.”

Policy holders with insurance claims in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are encouraged to contact the insurance experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters. Their professionals represent only policy holders and they not only look for hidden damage that the insurance company may have overlooked, but are also experienced in identifying potential indoor environmental hazards due to the past use of construction materials that may contain hazardous materials.  If these materials are present, the process for repairing any damage needs to follow federal and state regulations to ensure the safety of all existing and future building occupants.