It’s important to act quickly to find an expert restoration company to work with you to clean up the mess and prevent additional avoidable damages. In most cases, if not prevented, mold begins to grow as early as 72 hours after the conditions are set. You must understand that even though your insurance company may not be able to give your case immediate attention, you are almost always required under the terms of the policy to take whatever action is necessary to mitigate existing and potential damages. Your insurance company may have a list of preferred contractors. However, you are NOT required to accept the companies on those provided lists. Under the terms of your policy, you are free to choose the contractor that you believe will take the best care of YOUR needs, even if that contractor is not preferred by the insurance company or on their list.
If possible, always make pre-disaster arrangements with a reputable mitigation service company before a disaster happens. You can be sure that when a major disaster strikes, companies can quickly become overloaded and prevent you from getting service in time to prevent mold and other secondary damage mentioned above. Call the experts at ERD for help with preparedness and pre-loss planning for your home or business.
One important step that can help protect you in the event of a fire or water disaster or other loss, is to call your insurance agent and ask if additional coverage is available to protect you and your property in the event of an unforeseen disaster.
For example, if you have a basement, ask questions regarding coverage for;
- Standing water in that area.
- Think about how much it would cost to replace all of your damaged appliances, furniture, electronics and other possessions.
- Determine how much would it cost to replace your carpet and the bottom 4’ of your drywall or all of your paneling.
These are only a few examples of the potential costs associated with a fire or water disaster. In addition to all of the replacement costs, the cost of mitigation, tear out and drying can be thousands of dollars. In cases where the water is category 3 sewage water, expect to pay significantly more for proper cleanup and remediation. Most insurance agents can offer significant additional coverage that will protect you from fire, mold, and water damage catastrophes if you are willing to pay a little extra for the level of protection you need.