Costly Property Damage Caused by Arizona’s Monsoon Season

Powerful thunderstorms, dust storms, heatwaves, lightning, wildfires, hail and flash floods are all a common occurrence for residents of Arizona during the monsoon season.  In fact, the 3 ½ months that make up the monsoon season typically brings about half of the region’s annual rainfall.

With a month left to go before the official end of the monsoon season, the powerful storms associated with this annual event have already caused extensive property damage in some areas.  According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, since 1995, the monsoon season has caused an average of 10 deaths, 60 injuries and tens of millions of dollars in damages each year.

“The Arizona monsoon season causes some of the most intense localized property damage that we see all year long,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “The storms associated with this time of year can devastate a neighborhood while leaving another just a half mile away untouched.”

In addition to paying attention to weather reports to help prevent injuries, property owners should check their insurance policies to make sure they are adequately covered in case they need to file a claim.  For those who do suffer property damage, the insurance claim experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are ready to help at a moment’s notice.  Their professionals are also experts from the construction and remediation industries and this ensures that their clients’ claims are comprehensively reviewed for not just visible damages, but also for potential structural issues and damage that may not be readily apparent.

Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters offer their services in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  There are no out-of-pocket costs for their clients and hiring a seasoned public adjuster expedites the insurance claim process and provides for the most comprehensive settlement possible.

After the Fire – Steps a Property Owner Should Take Following Damage to a Commercial or Residential Property

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), as recently as 2013, fires caused an estimated $11.5 billion in direct property loss in the United States.   The NFPA also reports that year there were approximately 487,500 structure fires and every 85 seconds there was a fire reported in a home. While no one ever expects a fire to impact their home or business, these statistics show just how common building fires can be and the devastation they can cause. 

So what should a property owner with insurance coverage do if faced with a fire loss?  The property insurance coverage experts at the Merlin Law Group recently provided the following tips and guidance to policyholders for how the process works once the smoke clears:

·       The fire responders will give you the all clear on the property,

·       Once you know everyone is safe, you will need to attempt to secure your property. This means boarding up windows and doors. Be very cautious when signing contracts to have this work done. The same goes for companies willing to do the debris removal. You are in a vulnerable condition - don’t just sign.

·       Contact your insurance company and be sure to be present during all inspections.

·       Use extreme caution when entering a fire damaged property.

·       Make sure you know your rights and obligations when it comes to giving any statements about the fire or the loss. Even when the fire is not incendiary in nature, it is important that policyholders know that investigators will often question and challenge the cause of the fire, the items lost in the fire, and the building components. It saves the insurance company money if they can find or proffer an excuse not to pay your claim.

·       Don’t throw it away. I repeat - Don’t throw it away. Often times we are anxious to try to clean up the mess and move on. The scene should not be disturbed until clearance is given and items should not be disposed of without having the insurance company review. Be sure to take your own photos and video before you dispose of an item. Do not rely the insurance company’s adjuster even if they are taking photos.

·       Inventory everything and take a photo. Even if a dry-cleaning company is coming to clean soft goods. You need to know each and every item they have and get a photo of it before it leaves the property. Public Insurance Adjuster can assist you with this process and can deal directly with the insurance companies but you will need to do substantial work on the inventory side of the claim.

·      Inquire with any cleaning companies what happens if the item doesn’t come clean? Find out what happens if the item is cleaned to their standard but not yours.

·     Be very careful sorting through the ash and the rubble. Take lots of photographs, especially if anything in the remains shows a serial number or model number.

·       Be cautious if anyone rushes you to turn in an inventory of items. So often we hear from policyholders that they were told the just needed to give an initial list and values and that they were told they can add more later. Insurance companies routinely fail to pay the supplemental lists and argue in court that items on the second list were not lost in the fire because an insured would have remember to put keepsakes and high value items of great importance on the first list.   

Policyholders with property damage claims due to a fire or other cause can turn to the insurance claims professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters (HDPA) for immediate assistance.  Their services are available in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Retaining the services of HDPA helps to ensure that policyholders are treated fairly by the insurance companies and that claims receive a comprehensive settlement to repair all of the loss and damages covered by the policy.

Inspect for Common Interior Sources of Water Leaks to Prevent Damage in Homes and Commercial Buildings

Water damage in all types of buildings is one of the most common causes for an insurance claim.  It can be caused by everything from a natural flooding event or indoor plumbing leak to a sewer backup, faulty hot water heater and numerous other reasons.

Water can destroy building materials, furnishing and belongings.  Its presence can even lead to costly structural damage.  Depending on the source of water, it may contain bacteria, fungi, viruses and chemical contaminants. 

“While there may be few things that property owners can do in flood prone areas to prevent a natural flood, aside from having flood insurance coverage, there are precautions that can be taken to help prevent water damage from interior sources,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “An ounce of prevention may prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damages.”

Mr. Allen provides the following advice:

·       The water heater should be regularly inspected for signs of leaks and corrosion.  Drip pans installed below the water heater that drain to the outside can prevent costly damage.  Check the life expectancy of the water heater and consider replacing it at the end of its useful life.

·       Regularly check washing machine hoses and be sure to replace them if there are any signs of cracking or bulging.

·       Inspect ice maker connections for signs of damage and replace when necessary.

·       If the property has an air conditioner, be sure the drain lines are not clogged.

·       Check under sinks, garbage disposals and around tubs and showers for any signs of leaks.

·       Inspect around drinking fountains and toilets and check the toilet’s internal components for any signs of leaks, wear or damage.

·       Check basements and crawl spaces for signs of leaks, moisture and elevated humidity levels.

·       Inspect any exposed plumbing for signs of condensation, corrosion and leaks.

·       Consider having the property’s sewer line inspected for any signs of failure and existing blockages to prevent a sewer backup.

Residential and commercial property owners in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey can turn to the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters for expert assistance in resolving insurance claims due to water and other types of property damage.  Their services help to ensure that property owners obtain the most accurate and complete insurance settlement possible.  Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters also recently sponsored an educational video about common interior sources of water damage that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/amCCFegjIcs

AC Maintenance Tips to Keep Cool Offered by Nation’s Leading Public Adjusters

As the calendar approaches mid-August, many parts of the country have recently experienced sweltering summer temperatures.  In response, millions of homes and businesses have been heavily dependent on their air conditioners to keep indoor temperatures cool and comfortable.

“Many people take their air conditioner for granted and don’t recognize the importance of this vital equipment until it stops working,” said Douglas Waldie, President of Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC.  “Air conditioners require regular maintenance for the units to function effectively and efficiently throughout their years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance could lead to a complete failure and ensures a steady decline in performance while energy use steadily increases.”

The building science and insurance claims experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters provide the following AC maintenance tips to keep the cool air flowing:

·       Regularly change air filters.  These are often easily accessible at the air returns that can be found in ceilings and walls.  Some HVAC units may also have a filter at a fresh air intake or located in the actual furnace housing.

·       Over time, air conditioner evaporator coils will collect dust and debris which will cause the unit to not work efficiently. This can also cause odors, support microbial growth and result in indoor air quality issues.  With the unit off, evaporator coils should be regularly inspected and cleaned when necessary.

·       The exterior condenser/compressor should be clean of debris.  Keep materials stored outside and any plant growth at least 2 feet away to allow for adequate airflow.  Clean the fins on the exterior unit and gently straighten any fins that have been bent.  Also ensure the exterior unit is level as the pads these are located on can settle over time.

·       Check the condensate drains for any blockages to ensure the unit works properly and a blocked drain doesn’t cause water damage and mold growth.

·            At the end of the AC season, cover the outdoor unit to protect it from winter weather and any debris.

·       If more than regular maintenance is required, consider hiring a reputable air conditioning contractor for service.   

When a HVAC system or any part of a structure is damaged by an insured event, the professionals at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters are available to help.  Their experts assist policy holders with all types of insured property damage claims in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These services ensure that their residential and commercial clients obtain a fair and comprehensive settlement to repair any property damages in a timely manner.