According to the American Red Cross floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. When too much water collects in a concentrated area flooding occurs. Rain from a Hurricane or Tropical Storm can cause waters to rise and since Florida is at a low elevation, floods are even more common. They can be deadly, destructive, and life- altering so it’s important to put a plan in place to keep you and your family safe during a flood.

Watch this great video by the National Geographic entitled Floods 101 to learn more about floods.

Although floods are by nature difficult to deal with and recover from, there are some things you can do. Here are some tips on what you can do to prepare to for the next big flood.

Understand the area you live in. Find out if your home is in a flood zone and if the area has a history of flooding. When the heavy rains come what happens? Where does the water collect? Are there any big trees or other debris that could potentially do harm. If you know the impact of a heavy rain you can figure out what kind of flood damage you may be up against. Become familiar with the flood warning signs in your community so you can better prepare for the flood you will most likely experience.

Once you understand your area find a safe dry meeting spot where you can meet your loved ones in case of evacuation or separation during a flood. When a flood occurs thing can get pretty chaotic and often times power lines are down which can make communication difficult. Locating a place to re-connect with your friends and family is really important. Talk with them ahead of time so everyone will know where to go in case of a flood.

Find out if you have flood insurance. Many homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Contact a Public Insurance Adjuster to go over your homeowners’ insurance policy and find out if you need to purchase additional flood insurance. A Public Insurance Adjuster can help you to understand what kind of damage is covered and what is not. If you find that your home is a victim of rising waters and you do have flood insurance a Public Insurance Adjuster can connect you with Flood Remediation Professionals, Structural Drying Companies and many other services to help you to recover from a flood. A Public Insurance Adjuster is an important ally when filing flood and all other homeowner insurance claims. Contact one at Stellar Public Insurance Adjusters today. They are here to help.

All roofing materials will age and weaken over time. No matter what type of roof you have on your home or business, you can expect to deal with roof leaks or roof damage during the lifetime of the roof.

Cracks are the most common among different types of roof damage on many homes. Cracking typically occurs in wood or asphalt shingles as they age. Continued exposure to the elements causes the cracks to become larger and deeper. This allows water from rain or snow to leak into an attic or crawl space.

Weather related damage is also a common problem for older roofs. Hailstorms, rainstorms and heat waves can all be problematic for the health of your roof. Hail can compromise shingle integrity through splitting or cracking shingles or causing granule loss on asphalt shingles. Wind gusts can loosen fasteners that hold the roof to the roof assembly. Heat can cause shingles to warp and break down the protective sealant that prevents water from soaking into the roof.

Asphalt shingles can suffer from additional problems such as bubbling or extreme granule loss. Both problems expose the felt matting to moisture build up.

Miami residents, who have suffered property damage from a roof leak caused by damaged shingles, should contact a Public Insurance Adjuster. A Public Insurance Adjuster will help you file a claim and ensure that you get the proper compensation for the damage.

Roofs are an essential part of a buildings construction. A roof helps to keep climate controlled air from escaping out and protects from weather and other elements that are better to remain outside. This being the case a leaky roof can be one of the more frustrating challenges a homeowner can face. When a roof leaks, more problems can follow. Water damage can affect the structure and foundation of the house and inspire a mold outbreak which can cause serious health problems in addition to contaminating whatever it touches.

The major cause of roof damage is the severe weather of Florida. High winds can lift up the edges of tiles and other roofing materials can be blown right off of the house. During tropical storms and hurricanes, debris is blown around and it is not uncommon for trees and other large objects to fall onto the roof.

The moment you discover a leaky roof it is important to take immediate action. Remove all items that could get damaged from water from the site of the leak. Be sure to re-locate any electronic equipment such as a TV or computer, when dealing with electronics be extra careful unplugging them. Place a bucket or water tray underneath the leak to catch the water and make sure you empty it when it gets full. The most important thing to remember is DO NOT TRY TO FIX THE ROOF LEAK YOURSELF. You could possibly do more damage to the roof and as well as be denied your insurance claim.

Check out this video by The Sun Sentinel where a homeowner was getting turned down by her insurance company, even though she had several roofers tell her it needed to be replaced…
Damaged Roof Replaced

Before you call the insurance company to make your insurance claim for your roof damage it’s important to call a Public Insurance Adjuster to help you file the claim. An adjuster from the insurance company will have to come out to inspect the damage and verify the claim, so it’s important that you get licensed roofing professional that does not work for the insurance company to do an inspection as well. Stellar Public Insurance Adjusters has a vast network of Roofing Professional to help you. Insurance companies can be tricky when it comes to claims and a Public Insurance Adjuster will ensure that you are getting what your policy states. Contact a Public Insurance Adjuster today and get help with filing all your insurance claims.

Understanding what is NOT covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy is just as important as understanding what is. Do you have a trampoline in your back yard? What about a pool with a diving board? These are some examples of specific situations that may not be covered by your home owners’ insurance policy.

This Youtube video we found stresses the importance of understanding your policy – what’s covered and what’s not.

It’s important to read your policy thoroughly and pay close attention the section that lists exclusions. Exclusions are provisions that exclude coverage for expenses incurred by a specific events or conditions.
In an article entitled “Surprise: 10 Risks that your Home Insurance may not Cover” Julie Patel of the Sun Sentinel writes about a number of exclusions that many insurance companies limit or deny coverage all together. Looking to ensure that fine art work? Most insurance companies will only include losses up to $500 – $1000, she explains. However you can purchase an additional insurance policy called a “rider” to include coverage.

Read the full Sun Sentinel Article here…
Surprise: 10 Risks that your Home Insurance may not Cover

It may be difficult for most people that are not familiar with insurance coverage to a have a full understanding of the exclusions in their policy. For those homeowners that are confused and need clarification as to what’s excluded and included a good place to start is with a Public Insurance Adjuster. They will answer any questions that you may have about what is NOT covered under your policy and do everything they to suggest any alternate coverage possibilities. Contact one today for help with understanding your exclusion list, filing claims and making sure your policy is being upheld as it should be. A Public Insurance Adjuster is your number one support system in getting the most out of your homeowners’ insurance policy.

It’s that time of year when the dawn of summer on the horizon. For Floridians that means preparation.
Hurricanes and summer storms are always a concern but what about that muggy sticky heat that doesn’t leave until fall? Staying cool in the summer heat is necessary and that means your A/C needs to work extra hard. High utility bills and wear and tear on your A/C are a given in the summertime and it’s important to do what you can to prepare to reduce both aspects.

Here are a few tips that can help…

A dirty air filter blocks the flow of air and makes the A/C work harder. The harder it has to work the more electricity it’s going require to run. Change and or clean your air filter at least once a month and make sure you turn off the breaker before doing so.

Turn the temperature on your thermostat to anywhere between 78-80 degrees before your leave the house for an extended period of time. Make it a part of your routine before you go to work in the morning. If you think that you may forget purchase a programmable thermostat, they sell them at most home improvement stores and are simple to use and easy to install.

Seal up your house. Prevent that nice and cool atmosphere that you have created from escaping by sealing up the places that it might go. The A/C stops cooling when the desired temperature is reached and the less air that escapes the longer it has to run. Seal air leaks around doors, windows, and outlets with a lasting indoor/outdoor caulk. Caulk is inexpensive and easy to use and the money you’ll save on your utility bills not only in the summer but year round is pretty nice.

If you don’t have one already consider purchasing a high efficiency A/C unit. It will only take one hot Florida summer to see the investment pay off.

Not taking care of your A/C can lead to more than just the high cost of utility bills. A leaky A/C can cause water damage and mold to your home. Mold can cause serious property damage and health problems. Do everything you can to prevent problems from happening but if it does you should immediately contact a Public Insurance Adjuster. A Public Insurance Adjuster will connect you with Water Damage Repair Companies, Mold Mitigation Services and A/C Companies to rectify the situation.

Get help with Water Damage and Mold Claims today by calling Stellar Public Adjusting Services.

Mold is a part of our Earth’s natural environment. Outdoors, mold plays an important part in the circle of life by breaking down dead plant life, like fallen leaves. But indoors, mold is a terrible problem and should be avoided at all costs. It can cause to serious damage to homes and lead to detrimental health problems for its inhabitants.

Mold can be a serious problem for homeowners. It thrives in places where moisture is present and homes with water damage are especially prime targets for mold. The longer mold sits the more it damage it causes and getting rid of it is extremely problematic. The moment you realize that you have a mold problem it’s imperative to take immediate action. Do what you can to dry any excess water, carefully remove all porous materials, such a books or magazines and call professional mold remediator to eliminate it completely. A mold remediation professional will destroy the mold properly and apply a treatment to it to prevent it from returning.

Check out this great video/ article by reporter Jack Maher of Channel 9 News to learn more about indoor mold entitled How to win the Mucky, Yucky Mold Battle. – click link to watch.

Time is of the essence when it comes to mold and remediation needs to begin immediately. You’ll need to find a reputable mold remediation professional as quickly as possible. Public Insurance Adjusters have an extensive network of mold remediation professionals that can help fast.

Contact a Public Insurance Adjuster to connect with mold remediation professionals for when the problem is obvious and mold inspection professionals for when it’s not. Dealing with mold is no fun, but not dealing with it can be increasingly damaging to your health and your property. Call Stellar Public Insurance Adjusters today to find the right company to scold that mold and keep it from coming back!

Not so very long ago washing a single item of clothing was a labor intensive and time consuming process. You have to bring it to the nearest available body of water, scrub out all of the dirt of by hand, and then hang it up to dry in the sun. Drying your clothes was especially time consuming and could take days at times to dry one item. This process was made so much easier with the advance of technology, and these days you can dry not just one but multiple items within an hour’s time. Unfortunately the invention of the modern day dryer brought with it a new danger, fire.

Dryer fires are one of the more common reasons that homes catch on fire and it’s important to take action to prevent them from happening. Not taking care of your dryer can lead to dangerous results.
Here some things you can do to help your dryer be flame free.

Make sure that you clean your lint traps every time you take a load out of the dryer. Dirty lint traps block the air flow that the dryer needs to run properly. If the airflow is blocked it can cause the dryer to overheat and catch on fire. Clean the lint trap thoroughly and don’t miss the back of the lint trap as lint tends to collect in that area the most.

Before you put something in the dryer make sure it can go inside a dryer. Fabrics that are made with plastics such as vinyl or running shoes are not safe. Any item that has any flammable material on it such as gasoline or alcohol should not go in the dryer. If you are not sure check the label, if there is one, and if there isn’t contact the manufacturer and ask if its dryer safe. If the answer is no, DON’T PUT IT IN THE DRYER.

The Vent System, that long stretchy tube that resembles an accordion, needs to have proper airflow going through it. Check the vent system often and make sure that the materials that it is made out of are flexible so the air can pass through easily.

These are some great preventive methods that you can use to discourage a dryer fire from happening in your home. However things do happen and the flames from a dryer and/ or many other causes can destroy your home within an instant. If your home does catch on fire, it’s important to contact a Public Insurance Adjuster to help you put the pieces back to gather. They will help you to assess your loss, file your claim and connect you with fire mitigation companies. Recovering from a fire is difficult, but with the help of Public Insurance Adjuster it can be so much easier.

Call Stellar Public Insurance Adjusters today!

Do you own a commercial real estate property?

Filing a claim on a commercial real estate property can be a difficult process. When disaster strikes assessing and documenting the damage on a commercial real estate property can be extra time consuming and during that time period things can happen that affect how the claim is settled.

Paul Owners, a writer for The Sun Sentinel, writes about a case where it took the insurance company 7 years to pay up. After Hurricane Wilma hit a retirement community called Kings Point, the Homeowners Advisory Board hired a Public Insurance Adjuster to negotiate the claim. The Public Insurance Adjuster got the insurance company to agree to a fair settlement, however when it was time to make the first payment they discovered that the insurance company had gone out of business. The Public Insurance Adjuster persevered and was able to facilitate Kings Point’s collection of the agreed settlement. Hiring a Public Insurance Adjuster was essential to their recovery process.

Here’s a glimpse into the Kings Point retirement community in Delray Beach, Florida.

It’s important to hire a Public Insurance Adjuster for commercial properties. Public Insurance Adjusters are committed to making sure claims are settled to the extent of the insurance policy coverage, regardless of obstacles. They understand the insurance business and know what steps to take to walk you the recovery process, even if circumstances change along the way, like the insurance company going out of business. Contact a Public Insurance Adjuster today for help understanding your commercial property insurance policy.

A tornado with 130 mile an hour winds touched down in South Florida leaving a path of destruction in its wake. When nearly 136 homes were severely damaged homeowners emerged from the experience with some valuable lessons. Some who came close to dying now have a new lease on life. Others realized the profound respect Mother Nature demands and to always take precautions if you are aware that severe weather is headed your way. However the most fundamental lesson of all was how difficult it is to go through the recovery process and how important it is to hire a Public Insurance Adjuster to help you get through it.

Here’s sample video of a Florida tornado caught on tape in 2003.

In an article titled “What a Tornado in Sunrise/Plantation taught its Victims” Sun Sentinel Reporter Mike Clary spoke with several of the survivors, including electrical engineer Chet Lampert. When the interviewer asked Lampert what was the most important lesson of the storm was he responded. “Hire a Public Insurance Adjuster right away to deal with the insurance company. The insurance company has been by far the worst part. The tornado was no big deal because we were just out our stuff and no one got hurt. The biggest thing is dealing with insurance and knowing the right way to handle insurance companies”.

Check out the full interview in this video…
Lessons learned after Tornado

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to hire a Public Insurance Adjuster, contact one today to ensure that your homeowners’ insurance policy is the right one for you and your property. A Public Insurance Adjuster will help you understand the ins and outs of your insurance policy. If you ever do need to file a claim they will guide you through the process and battle it out with insurance companies to make sure it’s settled as quickly and as fairly as possible.

To read more of the Sun Sentinel Article…
What a Tornado in Sunrise/Plantation taught its Victims

When dealing with your insurance company it’s important to be aware of what needs to be done and the time frame in which it must be achieved. Not paying attention to specific deadlines can lead to unfortunate consequences.

One case that many attorneys and public insurance adjusters are talking about is the case of Cagle v. State Farm. Mr. and Ms. Cagle suffered property damage due to a fire and filed a claim with their insurance company. Their policy required them to submit inventory forms for loss on personal property as well as their proof of loss in order settle their claim. The couple waited almost a year to submit the paper work. Shortly thereafter they filed a bad faith lawsuit and a letter demanding payment. The insurance company paid the policy limits, however the court sided with the insurance company due to the fact they had filed the demand for payment the same day as the lawsuit. According to insurance laws the demand for payment must be made at least 60 days before a suit is filed. If they had waited the 60 days they would not only have received their payment, but they would have had the opportunity to secure additional funds in bad faith penalties and attorney fees.

Don’t let the hourglass run out on your insurance claim…

When you sign the dotted line on that homeowner’s insurance policy, remember that you are going into a partnership with your insurance company. As with any partnership each has a specific role and obligations that they must fulfill to make it successful. The responsibility of the insured is to understand and work within the policy’s guidelines and procedures in order to enable the insurance company to fulfill their responsibilities. To put it simply help them, help you. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a public insurance adjuster. They can help you navigate though your insurance policy’s procedures. They will ensure that you are aware of the time frames that need to be adhered to and that you know what proper documents need to be submitted to get the most of out of your claim. It’s essential to most insurance claims that time be on your side. We have a team of professionals that are experienced in the insurance claim process in Florida, as well as several other locations. We are here to guide you through the process. It’s best to start early and have a public adjuster renew your residential or commercial policy.