Homeowners affected by Hurricane Irma are finding that mold damage is running rampant. What should you do if you notice mold? Here are some things to consider.
What is Mold?
Mold is an organism found almost anywhere. When moisture is available, it can breed inside and outside on almost any substance. Mold grows by spreading airborne spores that land on wet surfaces. If the surface is habitable, it will stay there and reproduce. The type of mold that you find indoors are usually harmless and do not bother most healthy people. Unfortunately in Florida, high humidity and frequent water damage make the perfect recipe for mold to prosper indoors. This can cause potential health risks and considerable property damage.
Toxic mold thrives in areas that have above 55 percent humidity. High humidity is typical after a hurricane, waterline or pipe breaks, and especially in flooded areas. Mold spores are ever-present, and common structural materials create the perfect environment for mold to breed. For these reasons, indoor mold growth is most often because of water or moisture indoors. Other causes could be:
- Flooring materials, like concrete, not being completely dried
- Indoor plumbing problems
- Leaky roofs
- Structural maintenance issues
- Flooding
Contact Your Insurance Provider
If you find that you have a mold problem, contact your insurance company right away. They will send their adjuster to inspect the damage and report back to them. This report will help your insurance provider determine the settlement they will offer you. Also, contact a public adjuster. They can help you with the settlement process.
Remember that the insurance adjuster works for your insurance carrier, and not YOU. Mold insurance claims can get very expensive, very fast. Therefore, it is not unusual for an insurance provider to propose what seems like a high-dollar release at the beginning. Doing so will prevent them from spending more later on.
Here at Aftermath Adjusters, we want you to keep this in mind: Do not sign a release until you have talked with an outside professional! It is important to have someone who will represent YOU.
If there is a mold infestation in your home, consider hiring a public adjuster BEFORE calling your insurance company. They can help YOU manage the insurance claims and get a fair settlement.
Are You Covered For Mold Damage?
Water and mold damage is expensive to restore. Because of this, many insurance companies have changed their coverage, adding conditions and exclusions you may not know about. Dampness and mold often grow unnoticed behind walls, and it will take a professional to detect it.
Public adjusters are there to help you in this time of need. They have multiple resources and techniques to help discover, remediate, document, claim, and prove all of your mold and water damage losses. Water and mold claims demand the knowledge and skill of an expert, especially here in Florida.
What Aftermath Adjusters Will Do For You
Aftermath Adjusters is a team of qualified specialists who will help ease the burden of filing a mold insurance claim. Other tasks we will help you with include:
- Contacting your insurance company informing them that a public adjuster will be handling your claim.
- Meeting with your insurance’s adjuster to review the damage and negotiate the best settlement possible.
- Avoiding a denial by helping you file your claim with the appropriate documentation.
- Going over the settlement with you, step-by-step, for your approval.
- Asking your insurance’s adjuster to revisit the property and re-inspect the damage, in the very likely event that there are disagreements in the cost.
Call Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting today to speak with one of our experienced and capable public adjusters. They can give you a free consultation regarding the mold damage in your home. You can also fill out the contact form, and an Aftermath Adjuster will get in touch with you within 24 hours.