Does homeowners’ insurance cover water damage?

Does homeowners’ insurance cover water damage?

Water can cause enormous damage to a home and the equipment inside of it. These situations are common in Florida. The area is famous for heavy rainfall and high humidity levels. Water damage gets even more serious in these conditions. This is because such an environment is conducive to the creation and spread of mold. If you have an insurance that covers water damage, you can use it under certain circumstances.

Water Damage Coverage in Port St Lucie

You need to check your policy to find out what the consequences of a water and mold damage claim. If you want to best determine the cost of the mold damage restoration, take a couple of photos of the entire damage. Document every loss. If you need to move some objects in the damaged area, try to take pictures first. Once evacuated, the proof will vanish. This can be true for computers or other electronics. 

Don’t forget anything. If you want to have water damage coverage in Port St Lucie you need to have exact proof of the damage. State the brand name and model of the object. If a damaged good had sentimental value it would be the biggest loss and a blow to your morale. Then note down the price of each piece of furniture or object. If you have bills, keep them with you as well. According to Florida State 95.11, you must fill any petition for water damage within 5 years. If the cause of the damage was a hurricane, the time limit decreases to 3 years.

Mold Damage Restoration Insurance

Contact your insurance company about the water damage coverage in Port St Lucie. You must remember that you should keep a record of all correspondence. The agency processes the claim according to certain procedures and within certain timeframes. It is very important to have proof of the date and content of any communication with the agency. There can be a problem if your insurance agency refuses to pay for the damage suffered. Keep hold of your exchanges and you will be able to sue them if needed.

In some cases, your claim may include more living expenses. You can have to live elsewhere while the damage is being repaired at your house/apartment. These may include, for example, hotel, transportation and storage costs. If you find yourself in this tough situation, make sure to keep all the supporting documents. Each of your expenses must be valid and stands as proof to the insurance company. Unfortunately, a new Florida law allows insurance companies to delay paying compensation. This concerns water damage if the repair operation is not done yet. In that case, you may have to pay for the costs incurred out of your own pocket. If this is the case, be sure to keep proof of all monies spent during this non-obvious period.

During the hurricane season, flood damage is always higher. It runs from about May to September in this part of the United States. Insurances cover this type of natural disaster in a different way.  In some cases, insurance companies are not willing to cooperate. You may need to consider contacting an insurance lawyer to seek fair compensation. The records you have kept will be crucial in such a circumstance. It is important that you get organized and be as thorough as you can be.

How to Identify Mold?

Mold is the black grain often seen on damp windowsills. If you store paper or fabric in a damp place, you may smell musty odor caused by bacteria. Active molds are slimy and are most often green, black, orange or purple in color. Inactive mold is like a powdery substance, usually white. In its early stages, the mold may appear as a web, while in the middle of its growth period, it looks like a small bush.

If you think an area is moldy, you can do a simple test to determine if it is actually molded. Touch the suspect stain with a small drop of bleach. In the event that the stain loses shading or vanishes, it might be mold. If there is no change, you can rest easy. Otherwise, you can detect the fungus by its smell. Another good way to tell if there is mold is by smell. This can be useful when the mold is invisible, but you still need to locate it.

How to Remove Mold?

Mold damage is an important problem. Do not neglect it. In the humid climate of the state of Florida, mold can spread very fast. It then causes serious damage to both your property and your health. There are precautions that you can take for mold remediation. You should prevent the growth of bacteria as soon as possible. The faster you act, the more harmful consequences you avoid.

Decontamination is the most important step in mold removal. Each surface requires specific methods. Mold treatment can take up any forms. To remove mold from wood, it is necessary to determine whether the wood has rotted. If yes, it is best to replace it with dry wood. If this is not possible, you can spray it with a solution of special wood soap mixed with water. In some cases, you can remove all possible moisture with an electric vacuum cleaner. If this is not helping, you can also apply a 10% bleach solution. Scrub the area in question with a stiff bristle brush. After you have done that, remember to dry the area. Expose it to the sun or use some kind of airflow at high temperatures. This method works best if the amount of moisture is not too big.  A mold inspection can be necessary, especially in Florida. Professionals will prevent the mold to reach such an advanced state. Some companies even offer a free mold inspection.

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