Do you know your water?

Posted on January 11th, 2012

Large or small, no one wants to deal with the damage to their property caused by water. The damage to your property can sometimes be devastating. There are 3 categories of water damage: clean water, black water and grey water. Let’s first take a look at these three water types.

Clean water is exactly that…clean water. It means that the water is safe to work with during restoration. There are no impurities present that will harm you or make you sick. An example of a clean water discharge is water leaking from a water supply line. Black water is the worse type of water damage and the one that will cause the most problems. It may contain chemicals, bacteria, and/or fungi that can cause harm or even death. This could happen because of a leak from your kitchen drain or a toilet overflow. It should always be handled by professionals who are knowledgeable and have the equipment to deal with it. Grey water contains harmful contaminates that could make you ill when you are exposed to it. Such as a leak from your air conditioning drain line.

These three types of water damage, for the most part, can be prevented if you know the root cause. Getting your plumbing inspected and having a roof inspection can have a huge impact on the avoidance of these problems.

Although water damage can happen on a large scale, there are many times that it can happen on a smaller scale and still cause serious damage. A small leak in the roof inside the wall can or a damaged pipe with a slow drip can cause serious and costly damage.

Another problem can be caused by poor insufficient insulation. When this occurs, water vapors forms inside the attic or walls and cause damage and attract bugs. Installing an attic fan to help circulate the air or applying more insulation can take care of this problem.

It is also a good idea to install an exhaust fan in the bathroom for moisture control when showering preventing water damage. Water vapors form when you shower or bathe which can, over time, cause your wallpaper to peel. Creating the need to replace or repair it often. It also creates an ideal environment for mold to develop.

There are many ways for water to damage your property. Having a pipe burst or storm damaging your roof is not necessary for creating a costly amount of damage.

Do you have water damage? Are there stains on your walls? Has your air conditioner leaked onto your floors? Call Stellar Public Adjusting for a free consultation at 305-396-9110.

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This is a widely popular topic that is explained across the web. Inspiration from – Alladin Restoration / Tampa site These links used as reference, we don’t endorse these companies in anyway.

Tags: black water, clean water, grey water
Filed under Damage Mitigation, Mold Damage, Water Damage | No Comments »

Happy New Year – Are you prepared?

Posted on December 29th, 2011

In a few days marks the end and start of another year. We want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year. We are very excited about sharing another successful year with our clients and business alliances. This past year has been filled with many new clients as well as successful insurance claim recoveries.

We like to share our new vehicles on the road, as we visit properties across South Florida. Now, Stellar Public Adjusting Services can always be easily located.

The past year we’ve shared many tips, updates, and other Public Adjuster news. Instead of continuing with another drawn out posting on water damage, business income loss, theft, vandalism, broken pipes, and other Florida insurance claim messages, we’ll leave you with a quick three tip message for the new year.

We all know that because of the South Florida climate roof leaks are a common occurrence, here are 3 tips of what to do when you have a roof leak.

Tags: happy new year, roof leak, tips
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Connecting the dots – Mold spreading

Posted on October 13th, 2011

There are many important details to an insurance policy and the types of damages included and excluded can vary. It’s fairly common for insurance policies to exclude coverage for mold. In South Florida, we all know to well, that mold is almost always lurking around our properties. The extreme humidity and rain can cause a tiny mold problem to escalate into a major destructive problem that can cost substantial amounts of money. It’s essential that a Public Adjuster be contacted when mold is discovered, this way a professional determination can be assessed as to how and where the mold appeared.

It’s a tight rope walk when mold is excluded in a policy. The easy answer is that anything surrounding mold is excluded and homeowners are out of luck to recover damages. This is exactly what the insurance companies what the public to believe. However, the truth regarding the mold issue is that often mold surfaces as a result from another type of damage. This aggressive fungus can be caused by a leak – commonly in the bathroom, kitchen, or AC. There might have also been a leak in the roof that instigated the growth of mold. The damage mold can cause is unpredictable and there are problems that are visible and not visible.

Here’s a Youtube video demonstrating the damages mold can cause and places mold can appear.

We’re experienced in dealing with issues surrounding mold and understand that this is NOT a black and white issue when it comes to recovery. There are many items on the property that must be investigated before a direct answer can be given as your exclusionary clause is considered in your policy.

Please keep in mind that mold shouldn’t be left untreated and can be very harmful to people. Call today and we can help fast.

Tags: exclusion clause, mold, recovery
Filed under Mold, Mold Damage | No Comments »

Homeowners a Public Adjuster relationship is essential

Posted on October 2nd, 2011

Gene G. Veno is the President of the American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (AAPIA). He is featured in the Youtube video above as he explains the importance a Public Adjuster is to a homeowner. AAPIA is an important organization that represents Public Adjusters and fosters communication and education about the industry. They are a great resource for various insurance related topics and offer a very informative website.

The AAPIA website is easily navigable to the various areas on legislation and other relevant topics. They also host events and will be showcasing in Miami Springs, Fl later this month.

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The Value of Hiring a Public Adjuster
The American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters is busy getting the word out about how hiring a public insurance adjuster can add value to a policyholder’s insurance claim. AAPIA prides itself on being a professional organization representing public adjusters from all over the United States. AAPIA sponsors educational, social, and networking programs throughout the year.
Town Hall Meeting October 18
October 18th
Location: Holiday Inn Miami International Airport, 1111 S Royal Ponciana Blvd, Miami Springs, FL 33166
Arrival: Noon
Lunch: Included
Meeting: 01:00 – 05:00
Cocktails: 05:00 to 07:00
Please respond directly to Robertcook1999@gmail.com with rsvp.
This is a very important meeting to discuss the future of our Industry
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Visit their website to learn more about the resources available to property owners.

Tags: AAPIA, American Association of Public Insurance Adjusters
Filed under Homeowners Policy | No Comments »

Policyholders heard by Citizens insurance, rate hikes hurt

Posted on September 16th, 2011

Recently, Citizens insurance was given a mouthful by at risk policyholders, if rate hikes are approved. At a hearing, these policyholders explained that they could barely afford their mortgages, and rate hikes could force a foreclosure. The recent Sun Sentinel posting by Julie Patel, Citizens insurance takes a beating over rate hike request, goes into detail regarding not only the hikes but how this might cause home sales not to go through because the mortgages companies are weighting in the cost of these policies. It’s a vicious circle that might only get worse if a major storm hits these properties.

The article explains that this opportunity for Citizens to hear from policyholders is very positive; however, the decision is still a balance of what has to be paid today vs. what all Floridians would need to cover if there’s a deficit.

“At the end of the hearing, Sharon Binnun, Citizens’ chief financial officer, said it was good for her personally and “important for Citizens employees to hear the personal impact of these rate filings.” She said Citizens must balance the impact of rate hikes on policyholders with the cost to nearly all Floridians who would have to pay fees to offset Citizens’ deficits if there’s a major hurricane and it uses up it’s $5 billion in reserves.”

There’s a serious issue here that unfortunately doesn’t get the press it deserves. The key is to stay up to date with the topic. Feel free to call us directly to help make sense of these issues.

As you read the above article you’ll notice a link referring to a complimentary issue of law changes earlier this year, follow the link. In the meantime, here’s a great clipping….

But Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who led efforts to fight the legislation, said it conflicts with Scott’s goal of avoiding tax increases. “For an administration which vowed not to support new taxes or fees, this bill virtually guarantees [premium increases] for Florida policyholders,” he wrote in a statement. “Insurance companies will only get richer because of this legislation while policyholders will have to pay more of their hard earned money for what will amount to less coverage.”

Sean Shaw, the state’s former insurance consumer advocate who is now an attorney for policyholders in claims disputes with insurers, said it’s possible that Scott signed the bill more than a week before he was required to “avoid more bad press about impending rate hikes in a bad economy.”

Scott received hundreds of emails, letters and calls about the legislation.

The new law makes more than 20 changes. Among other things, it will:

Shorten the time policyholders have to file claims to two years for sinkhole claims and three years for hurricane claims, from the current five years;

Allow insurers to withhold full payment for home damage claims until the work is performed and expenses incurred, except for homes that are destroyed;

Require policyholders to pay up to half of the cost of testing for sinkholes if the insurer denies the claim and its engineer determines there is no sinkhole;

Allow insurers to require an inspection of a property before issuing coverage for sinkholes;

Allow insurers to drop sinkhole coverage for anything other than the main building on a property;

Prevent regulators from urging insurers to charge policyholders less for advertising and agent commissions;

Require Citizens Property Insurance to hire an outside consultant to examine whether the state-run insurer could save money and do a better job if it shifted some work done by full-time employees to contractors;

Require new home insurance companies to have $15 million in reserves starting this year and existing insurers to have $15 million by 2021, with some exceptions;

Bar public insurance adjusters, hired by policyholders in claims disputes with insurers, from advertising with logos that resemble those of a government agency or saying there is “no risk” to a policyholder by filing a claim;

Prohibit public adjusters from charging more than 10 percent of the portion of a claims payment they help recover for Citizens policyholders;

Require public adjusters to provide a copy of their contracts with policyholders to insurers;

Allow insurers that offer policies covering both a home and vehicle to drop coverage if they warn policyholders at least 90 days in advance, a perk intended to draw an unnamed insurer to the state; and

Clarify gray areas of state law to say the Legislature intends to reduce disputes and litigation from sinkhole claims, a standard that might be applied to pending claims disputes.

Tags: citizens homeowners insurance policy, citizens insurance
Filed under Law Updates | No Comments »

Water Leaks – knowing is half the battle

Posted on September 8th, 2011

Water is a saviour when you’re thirsty, but a terror when it surprises you in unexpected ways – we’re referring to water leaks in the home or office.

There are so many precautions designed to prevent pipes from bursting, toilets from leaking, refrigerators from dripping, and roofs from buckling that when it does happen individuals are caught off guard. This is why there are so many stringent building codes, permits and inspections. It’s those guards help prevent mistakes that can cause problems in the future.

This video we found on Youtube has some great tips; however, we don’t know anything about the company it promotes.

Many theorize that water drainage, plumbing, and overall water management is the driving force of modern civilizations. If you’ve lived through a hurricane aftermath in South Florida, you know how important clean water is to modern life.

One of the important issues to maintaining a comfortable way of life is to detect and prevent these water leaks before they become a major problem. In many cases detection may not be possible. For example, a pipe under the sink is fine one minute and unexpected pressure explodes the line causing water to pour everywhere. When you can identify the issues quickly you’ll prevent further damage, be able to file an insurance claim, and have everything repaired.

It’s best to vigilantly be aware of where the most common places that water leaks can occur and how to spot them. There’s a great resource on the State Farm website that outlines this topic clearly.

Here’s an excerpt from the website: Well worth a visit – Preventing water damage in your home.

The Kitchen

The Dishwasher: Periodically check for leaks under the sink where the hose connects to the water supply. Look around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks, such as discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials, or water damage to nearby cabinets.

The Refrigerator: If your refrigerator has an icemaker, make sure the hose connection is securely attached to the water supply line. Also, a wet spot on the floor may be a sign of a crimped icemaker line about to burst.

The Sink: Replace deteriorated caulk around sinks, and check the pipes under the sink for leaks. A slow-draining pipe may indicate a partially blocked drain that needs cleaning.
The Bathroom

Showers And Bathtubs: Remove and replace deteriorated or cracked caulk and grout. Water from a broken supply pipe behind the wall can leak through these damaged sealants, causing stains or soft areas around nearby walls and floors. Leaking drain pipes and shower pan leaks are also common sources of water damage. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.

Sinks: Check under the sink for leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes. If necessary, contact a plumber or contractor for help.

Toilets: Clogs can result from too much toilet paper or objects such as hanging bowl deodorants. Also, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak. Again, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.

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Call us today to assist you in identifying some of these potential leaks.

Tags: plumbing, preventing water damage, water damage
Filed under Pipe Breaking, Water Damage | No Comments »

Verdict – adjuster to be paid

Posted on August 31st, 2011

Public adjusters do not get paid upfront for the work done during the insurance claim process. The overview of how it works is simple, a property owner experiences property damage covered under the insurance policy and the public adjuster steps in to assist the property owner in the claim process to collect what is deserved. The public adjuster is paid based on the collection. Here’s a Youtube video we found with a clear explanation:

In a recent case in Taunton, MA there was a dispute regarding the payment of fees to an adjuster that worked on an insurance claim for the City of Taunton, this was regarding fire damage from arson. Read the full article – Public Adjuster paid in insurance claim.

True, this case didn’t occur in Florida; however, there’s a point that’s important to learn from this event. In the article there were differences of opinion as to the commission fees and whether or not everyone was on the same page with the adjuster and agreed to the details. This point is crucial for both city office and private property owners – get to know your public adjuster and get a clear explanation of the facts.

The communication is key and essential to making sure a property owner gets what they deserve from the insurance claim. The verdict of the Taunton vote ultimately recognized the value of the adjuster’s work and the fact that the City recovered from the claim.

The excerpt below is from the article and highlights the point:

“I know you’re the procurement officer,” Barbour told Crowley, “but I don’t recall meeting the adjuster to discuss the details.”
Barbour at one point accused the mayor of making light of his statements
“You seem to be smiling — there’s nothing funny about $28,000,” he said.
“Who’s smiling?” Crowley countered.
“You’re not now, but I don’t want to bicker,” a clearly frustrated Barbour said.
Deborah Carr cautioned that if the city were to contest the fee it risks spending at least as much as $28,000 in court costs.
Voting in favor of the motion were Carr, Barbour, Sherry Costa Hanlon, David Pottier and Tom Hoye; against were Buffington, Croteau, A.J. Marshall and Ryan Colton.
Susan Barber, the city’s risk manager/litigation paralegal, later said she’ll issue a check to the adjuster from $545,000 listed by the insurance carrier as “extra expense.”

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The confusion would likely have been avoided by familiarity with the adjuster. Stellar Public Adjusting Services is available and recommends meeting and having a consultation regarding your property and coverage. A professional and experienced adjuster from our team will clearly explain the steps during an insurance claim and how to best avoid any pitfalls.

Call us today.

Tags: paying a public adjuster
Filed under Definitions, Fire Damage, Law Updates | No Comments »

Hurricane Irene – changes course, stay alert

Posted on August 23rd, 2011

A previous posting we titled “expect the unexpected” and that’s what happened here. Property owners must always be on their toes when it comes to natural disasters – specifically hurricanes in South Florida. If a hurricane is scheduled for a direct hit, don’t be surprised if it changes course the last minute. Similarly, if the storm is out of the line of fire don’t be surprised if at the last moment it changes direction and heads for South Florida.

The key is to be prepared and stay aware.

The storm reporters are now saying that Hurricane Irene has shifted course and South Florida has dodged a direct hit. The Miami Herald reported the following:

While South Florida was almost surely out of the danger zone for a direct hit, the risks of a strike were rising along much of the mid-Atlantic coast, from South Carolina to New England.

“We’ve going to have a very large tropical cyclone move up the Northeastern seaboard in the next five to seven days so just about anybody that lives along the Northeast and Southeast coast of the mid-Atlantic needs to be aware of this and prepare for it,’’ hurricane center director Bill Read said during a news conference.

Read more on Hurricane Irene update announcement
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Stellar Adjusting Services is here to meet with you and discuss the planning and protection from storm damage.

NOW is the opportunity to get supplies in order, phone numbers organized, and let us put a face to your claim. At Stellar you’re not a file number, we look forward to helping property owners and recover what they deserve.

Tags: Hurricane Damage, hurricane irene
Filed under Hurricane Damage | No Comments »

Hurricane Irene – A scheduled visit

Posted on August 22nd, 2011

Many weather sources predicted an active hurricane season. This week South Florida is anticipating Hurricane Irene to pass through with 80mph winds. Anytime there’s a persistent rain and substantial winds serious damage can occur. Start immediately preparing with basic resources such as water, canned foods, batteries, cash, full tank of gas, and of course move your patio furniture inside.

Stellar Adjusting Services is here to handle damage that might occur from Hurricane Irene. Feel free to contact us with any questions about your property insurance coverage and claims.

You can visit http://nhc.noaa.gov for the latest news and hurricane preparedness tips. Here are some important items that are on that list worth highlighting.

Manual can opener – You stocked your canned foods, but without a can opener it’s hard to open.

Whistle or air horn – If you are trapped in debris this is a great way to notify people that you’re inside.

Tarpaulin, canvas or anything to make a temporary roof repair – A leaky roof might not be repaired quickly, in the meantime a tarp will temporarily prevent water from entering your home.

Important phone numbers:

BROWARD COUNTY CONTACT INFO:

American Red Cross – (954) 763-9900

Broward County Hurricane Hotline – (954) 831-4000

Broward Emergency Management Agency – (954) 831-3900

SHELTER INFORMATION:

Broward County Animal Care and Regulation – (954) 359-1313

Special Medical Needs Registry–Broward – (954) 537-2888, www.broward.org/disaster

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY CONTACT INFO:

American Red Cross – (305) 644-1200

Miami-Dade Animal Care and Control – (305) 884-1101

Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management – (305) 468-5400

SHELTER INFORMATION:

Miami-Dade Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program – (305) 468-5900

Special Medical Needs Registry Miami-Dade – (305) 513-7700

Tags: hurricane irene
Filed under Hurricane Damage | No Comments »

Expect the unexpected – Public Adjusters know best.

Posted on August 12th, 2011

There are many variables that exist when operating a home or business. As a property owner many of those risks are insured and the calculation determines premiums, coverage, and recovery. For example, in South Florida there’s a high percentage risk that hurricane damage can occur as well as flood damage and other associated water/storm damages. The reason is obvious, our climate and location to the coast dictates that percentage of actual risk. Even in these examples, nobody really is expecting a disaster to strike; however, it’s best to be prepared.

Here’s a Youtube video that shows a humorous side to vandalism, while stressing the importance of coverage. Vandalism takes many forms, but everyone is aware of the one in this video.

On a serious note, vandalism and theft are a categories of damage that are never expected and usually are random occurrences. The proper coverage must be reviewed and will vary depending on the nature and location of the home or business. It’s vital the a Public Adjuster be in the mix when reviewing the policy so that a clear explanation is made as to the percentage of risk and the type of recovery that is covered. A Public Adjuster has the experience and understanding of how to file on insurance claim for vandalism and theft. South Florida is not immune from these types of damage and insurance claims occur on an ongoing basis. Remember, when it’s your first time experiencing the unfortunate aftermath or vandalism or theft it’s not your insurance company’s first time – hiring a Public Adjuster is a no-brainer.

The team of Public Adjusters at Stellar Adjusting Services is geared to work on your behalf to get what you deserve. Public Adjusters in can service claims across South Florida and have a particularly strong presence ranging from West Palm Beach insurance claims, Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hallandale, Aventura, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Surfside, Miami Beach, and Miami.

Filed under Theft and Vandalism Insurance Claims | No Comments »