Late summer and early fall in North Carolina are the peak months for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. According to the National Weather Service, the second week of September has historically been the busiest part of the season, and North Carolina is on the “most likely” track for tropical storms in September and October. While the Triangle is about 130 miles from the Atlantic coast, we are still vulnerable to damaging wind, rain, and lightning from a major hurricane. With this in mind, it is a good time of year for home and business owners to become aware of the insurance coverages on their property, and to think about how they might cope if disaster hits a home or business.
AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers five important tips for home and business insurance:
- Make sure there is coverage for tropical storm events: Property owners should check the policy “declarations” page to verify what is and isn’t covered, and speak with an insurance agent at least once a year review coverages. While storm surges from hurricanes are typically not an issue in the Triangle; high winds, heavy rain, flooding, and falling trees certainly are factors.
- Assess and complete a contents inventory: The insured party (property owner) is ultimately responsible for proving losses. Detailed documentation is always the best approach, and could involve a written account, spreadsheets, photos and videos, or a combination of these. Don’t do it from memory after a disaster, or the insurance settlement will be compromised.
- Beware that claims adjusters can sometimes be inexperienced: While the property may be adequately insured in terms of the policy, the claim payments are coming from people involved in the process. Claims adjusters represent the insurance company, not the property owner, so it may be a consideration for the property owner to retain an independent claims adjuster.
- Pay attention to anything that indicates “release of liability” or “full settlement”: The insurance company may at times during the process provide payments or documents for the property owner to sign or acknowledge. Cashing checks or signing papers can sometimes constitute agreement with a partial settlement or accepting less than what is owed. Read all documents and settlement checks very carefully, or retain a professional who can provide expert advice on such matters.
- Investigate and evaluate remediation contractors before they are needed: As with any business, the possibility of receiving unsatisfactory work is ever present. Don’t just wait for the insurance company to recommend a contractor after the fact. Look for a certified contractor with a good reputation for customer service and experience with insurance adjusters.
AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex specializes in restoration from water damage, storm damage, and ensuing mold problems. We are certified by National organizations such as IICRC for all of these, and deliver outstanding customer service. We also know how insurance adjusters work, and can make the restoration process work as good as possible for our customers.
AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex is the number one team of professionals in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified water damage restoration and mold remediation. Contact us today in the unfortunate event a disaster affects a home or business.
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