Hurricane Season Begins and Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters Advises Property Owners to be Prepared

Last week was National Hurricane Preparedness Week and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was busy spreading the word to coastal communities and inland areas.  These powerful storms can leave a path of destruction and death in their wake so it is crucial that communities in areas that may be in their path are prepared and have a plan in place in the event of a hurricane.

The property damage caused by hurricanes can be catastrophic.  Hurricane Sandy is believed to have caused over $18 billion in insured property losses, which doesn’t include claims covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.  Likewise, Hurricane Katrina reportedly caused over $41 billion in insured property losses.

According to NOAA, “The primary hazards from hurricanes are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents. While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depressions can also be devastating. Flooding from heavy rains can cause extensive damage and loss of life.”

“Today, June 1^st, is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “People living in areas prone to hurricanes and even in regions that are not hit on a regular basis should review their property insurance policies and invest in a flood insurance policy to protect their homes and businesses.  If a hurricane does impact their property, they should have a plan in place to help expedite any repairs that may be needed.  Following a hurricane or any other type of natural disaster can be an especially hectic and confusing time for many, so being prepared and having a plan in place can make all the difference.”

The professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters have teams of property damage and insurance professionals that can help property owners get back on their feet and quickly rebuild hurricane damaged properties.  They achieve this by comprehensively settling insurance claims while taking into account all of the damage and potential hazards that may exist.  Their experts help policy holders obtain the most accurate and complete settlement so they can rebuild their homes and businesses and get back to their lives.

Spring Floods and Water Leaks Can Result in Costly Property Damage due to Wood Rot Fungi

Wood is one of the most popular materials used to construct many types of residential and commercial properties. When properly maintained and protected, buildings made from wood can last for centuries.

As a natural material, termites and wood destroying insects have long been blamed for the destruction of wood in buildings, but they are not the only culprits.  Wood also makes for an ideal food source for many types of fungi. Fungi, commonly referred to as mold, can quickly begin to grow on or in wood materials when there is sufficient moisture and temperatures that are conducive for its growth. 

Some types of mold are primarily found growing on the surface of wood.  This is commonly the case when there has been a water damaging event in a building caused by a leaking pipe, elevated humidity or some type of flood. The mold may be easily visible and can cause staining. When mold is growing on the surface of the wood it may become aerosolized and cause indoor air quality and health concerns for building occupants.

Other types of mold not only use the wood as a food source, but also cause decay by breaking down the wood fibers. There are species that will attack living trees and others that will consume harvested wood that has been used to construct a building.  These wood decay fungi are classified based on the type of decay they cause.  The most well-known types include brown rot, white rot and soft rot.

“Damage from wood decay fungi can be extensive and visible signs of its presence may not be evident to an untrained eye for some time,” said Tom Allen of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “However, damage can become severe enough to cause structural concerns over time.  In fact, some estimates have put the amount of wood required each year just to replace wood rot at approximately 10% of the U.S. annual wood production.”  

Property owners and facility managers who suspect wood rot or other types of property damage has occurred due to natural or manmade causes can turn to the insurance and property damage experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters for assistance.  Their specialists provide policy holders in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with professional representation to be able to obtain the most accurate and complete settlement for all types of insured property damage.

Hail Damage to Properties is Common in Many Parts of the United States

This spring has already witnessed severe storms that have caused widespread flooding, tornadoes and even a tropical storm.  A component of many of these powerful weather systems is the presence of hail that can cause property damage across a wide area.

Hail is possible in most thunderstorms.  It can have a diameter of anywhere from 5 millimeters to as large as 15 centimeters.  These exceptionally large hailstones can weigh over 1 pound.  Because hail drops from thousands of feet above, even a storm with small hail can do considerable damage to a home or business.  In fact, some reports indicate that hail damage causes in excess of $1 billion in damages each year in the United States alone.    

Over the past several years, the number of insurance claims due to hail damage has been on the increase.  According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB), these claims increased 84% from 2010 through 2012 with over 850,000+ claims in 2012.

“While hail damage can be quite evident, as is the case when hail breaks windows on a building, other times in may go unnoticed for some time,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “This may be the case when damage is primarily confined to a rooftop or other area that is out of sight.  When a hail storm strikes, it is important to have the entire building checked for this type of damage that if left unchecked, could lead to other issues such as leaking roofs, water damage and eventual mold contamination.”

For people who suspect hail damage has occurred on their property, the insurance and property damage experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are there to help. They assist policy holders in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the most accurate and complete settlement for any damages caused by hail storms or due to other causes.

Facing a Property Damage Claim – Utilizing the Expertise of a Public Adjuster Can Make All the Difference

For most people who own residential or commercial property, writing a regular check to cover their homeowners insurance or other types of property insurance to insure their investment is done without much thought.  Many make these insurance payments for years or even decades without ever having to file a property damage claim. 

So what are one’s options if a property damage claim does have to be submitted, but the insurance provider offers a settlement figure that looks much less than what is likely needed to make the necessary repairs?  The answer can be found in licensed insurance professionals known as public adjusters.   Public adjusters’ singular purpose is to represent the policy holder and be their advocate during the entire claims process. 

One of the leading public adjusters with representatives offering services in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey is Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC (HDPA).  Tom Allen, one of HDPA’s leading insurance claims experts, shared the following.  “As a public adjuster, we can help policy holders receive all of the benefits for which they are entitled from their insurance policy.  Quite often there are repairs that may have been missed or undervalued by the insurance company.  Our experts know what to look for and what it takes to have damages properly repaired.  These services help to ensure that the policy holder is treated fairly and offered the maximum settlement in a timely manner.”

Many people don’t realize that there is no out-of-pocket costs to engage the services of the professionals from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters.  They work off a small percentage of the final settlement value so they don’t get paid until the policy holder gets a check from the insurance company.