Mold damage claims are complex issues because insurance policies have various limitations when dealing with Mold. Certain insurance policies either limit the payments that can be made or exclude them altogether. The trained staff at Alconero and Associates Public Adjusters can fully investigate the cause and origin of the mold so that we may properly report it to your insurance company. It is important to act fast when evidence of Mold is seen in order to avoid any health risks.
Understanding Mold Damage
In the past, mold damage claims were covered under most property insurance when it resulted from a covered peril, such as a sudden plumbing leak, fire control, storm or other cause covered by your property insurance policy.
Concerns have increased due to public awareness and scientific knowledge about mold and its health related hazards. The clean-up, removal and remediation techniques are costly and hazardous to the personnel completing them. In response to the public concerns, insurance carriers are removing such coverage from their policy forms regardless if it results from a covered peril. In some instances, the insurance companies offer a limited coverage for mold/fungus for an additional premium.
Mold contamination should be taken very seriously as it can cause severe illness to some people and considerable damage to property. Before the changes to exclude mold coverage from policies the carrier quickly minimized the impact of mold often suggesting a little bleach as a solution.
Insurance company representatives often quote the policy exclusions for mold even when coverage may exist for your mold damage. Alconero and Associates Public Adjusters can assess your mold damage claim and advise the necessary course of action.
Mold damages often require testing to identify the remediation protocol for your specific type of mold damage. Once a protocol is prepared, a remediation contractor will follow this document when removing the damage from the building. Upon completion of the remediation, air clearance testing is needed to determine the success of the contractor’s efforts.
After first investigating the loss, your Alconero and Associates Public Adjusters representative will advise you on the most effective and accurate way to assess and document your mold loss including advice on whether the use of outside experts is warranted and necessary.
What health problems can mold cause
The city of Miami has many attractions due to its location, its geography and its climate. But also, precisely because of the humidity and weather conditions, it is a propitious place for the formation of fungi and mold in houses. In fact, there are many more cases than is believed, since there are a large number of people who are immune to the effects. But unfortunately, many others are not and may suffer from some conditions of lesser or greater severity. Therefore, Miami mold damage includes not only the value of the property, but also the possible risks they pose to people’s health.
The most common symptoms experienced in the presence of mold have to do with the respiratory tract. It is common for people to start to have a runny nose and irritation of the nose and throat. It is also very common for a similar affectation to be felt in the eyes, with irritation and redness. Of course, these consequences can be much more serious for those who have a history of breathing difficulties or severe allergies.
In the most severe cases, symptoms of an infection can include fever and severe breathing difficulties. This poses a serious health risk, so it’s important to take mold damage Miami with the seriousness the problem deserves.
All of the above is even more relevant if the home is inhabited by children, since they are the ones who suffer the most from the effects. Early exposure to these conditions can lead a child to develop asthma or other chronic diseases. That is, the consequences can extend into the future and gradually increase in severity. For this reason, it is extremely important to know what we can do to avoid the presence of mold.
Tips for recognizing a mold problem
One of the precautions we can take in our home is to be aware of the presence of mold to identify it as soon as possible and prevent its spread. This can be more complicated than it seems, since mold tends to develop in dark and secluded areas of the home, especially seeking moisture. This can lead to an excessive amount of time passing before we identify it as a problem. Mold damage in Miami can start happening long before we know it.
The main way to identify the presence of mold is through the stains it leaves on the walls and ceilings of the home. They are dark in color, with more or less rounded shapes. If you notice these signs, it is likely that mold is already developed in less visible areas, such as the foundation of the house. It’s a good idea to call a trusted public adjuster like Alconero & Associates at the time of identifying the problem.
The characteristic smell of mold also works as a form of identification. If you smell humidity in the house, or directly the presence of fungi, you can be sure that sooner or later mold will form. Leaks from a roof or a pipe, or even an old flood, are enough to create the conditions for fungal development. You may already have mold damage and need a public adjuster in Miami.
Finally, the symptoms we mentioned before are also a form of identification. If you suffer from any of the symptoms, you can try spending time away from home. If you notice that the symptoms disappear, the problem is probably already inside. This is another good reason to contact your public adjuster and start looking for a solution to the problem.
What to do if you find mold in your home
The time factor is one of the most important in the presence of this problem. Given the suspicion of the presence of fungi in the house, acting quickly can prevent several mold damages in Miami. Aside from health problems, mold can cause damage to the walls, ceilings or floors of the house, and even reach the foundation. There are specialized companies that can make an accurate diagnosis of the seriousness of the problem. Together with your public adjuster, they can be a good first step to start fixing it.
Many people are inclined to call their insurance company for advice. This may seem like a good idea, but it is usually not recommended at all, at least at first. Before calling the insurer, you should make sure you have advice that is really on your side. Insurance companies do not always operate according to best practices, and try to minimize payments to their clients in order to increase their profitability. That’s why a public mold damage adjuster in Miami is your best ally in these cases, and you should consider calling them before your insurer.
Hire a Public Mold Damage Adjuster in Miami
It is not that all insurance companies have the same attitude towards claims, but unfortunately they do this type of maneuvering quite frequently. Professionals who work in insurance companies have technical knowledge that most people do not have. By applying loopholes or hidden clauses in contracts, they may try to lower the amounts that you as a customer should receive in compensation. It may even happen that the company tries to completely reject the claim for some reason.
An insurance adjuster with the track record of Alconero & Associates can be extremely helpful in pursuing a Miami mold damage insurance claim. It will help you determine the origin of the mold, as well as the seriousness of the case, to establish a fair amount in the cost of repairs. In addition, it will help you in the dispute with the insurance company, presenting the documentation in a timely manner so that you can obtain the best deal and collect your compensation in the shortest possible time.