Our Services
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Water Damage Claims
Water damage claims and fire damage claims are two common insurance claims that property owners may face. Water damage can result in various types of losses, such as the deterioration of materials, rotting of wood, rusting of steel, and delamination of plywood, among others. It can occur gradually, with minor signs like water spots, or suddenly, as in the case of a catastrophic flood. Regardless of the speed at which it occurs, water damage poses a significant threat to property.
Regarding insurance coverage, policies may or may not include provisions for water damage claims and the subsequent restoration process. Homeowner's insurance policies often require additional appendices, such as "Sewer and Drain Coverage," to cover associated costs, which can increase monthly premiums. Similarly, fire damage claims may have specific coverage terms and requirements.
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In instances of widespread flooding, individuals affected by water damage may have the option to seek government assistance, including grants through programs like FEMA's Individual Assistance. On a larger scale, businesses, cities, and communities can apply for funds through FEMA's Public Assistance program to aid in the aftermath of a significant flood.
This program may support purchasing water-damaged properties, demolishing structures, and transforming them into public green spaces. Understanding the complexities of water damage insurance claims, along with available insurance coverage and government assistance programs, is crucial for property owners dealing with such incidents.
Category 1 Water
"Category 1" is clean water that does not pose a threat to people's health. It can come from broken pipes, overflowing sinks or tubs, or leaks from appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
Category 2 Water
Water that has bad stuff like chemicals, germs, or dirt can make you feel sick if you touch it or drink it. This is also called "grey water." Examples are toilet bowls with urine, failed sump pumps, leaks from water pressure, and water from dishwashers or washing machines.
Category 3 Water
This category of water is known as "black water" and is very unsafe. It contains harmful germs, bacteria, and fungi that can cause severe illness. This water comes from sewage, seawater, rising water from streams or rivers, groundwater, or standing water. If "grey water" or category 2 water is not quickly removed, it can turn into "Category 3 Water." Toilet overflows from beyond the toilet trap are also considered "black water."
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Smoke Damage Claims
Fire is dangerous, and smoke damage is not friendly at all. Did you know that the flames themselves might not be the greatest risk as far as health dangers and property damage? Fire smoke is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a 3/1 ratio, and while direct exposure to smoke is harmful to your respiratory system, it can also negatively affect your property's structure.
Smoke damage from any type of fire is comprised of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and soot. Many other harmful chemicals also enter the air and are inhaled or latch onto walls, furniture, clothing, ductwork, and other areas.
When it comes to your property, knowing how temperature, the surrounding environment, particle ionization, and airflow patterns affect smoke distribution. With this knowledge, you can better navigate fire smoke damage insurance claims and streamline the restoration process for a more efficient recovery.
Temperature
Because hot air rises, smoke damage is most commonly found in the following places:
- Directly above where the fire blazed: Assuming no strong air currents are flowing through the building, the highest concentration of smoke residue is usually found on the ceiling above the fire.
- Outside walls and windows: Cold air sinks, opening up a path for the smoke to travel to exterior windows and walls. Even if the fire is concentrated in the center of the room, it's common to find lots of smoke residue on outside walls.
Particle Ionization
Smoke particles are often ionized, meaning they possess an electrical charge that
attracts them to certain surfaces. That’s why you often find smoke damage:
- Surrounding nail heads in the ceiling
- Clustered in cobweb-like shapes in corners of the room
- On synthetic materials
Air Flow Pattern
Air currents carry smoke and soot away from the fire and deposit residue in
interesting
ways. For example, smoke damage is often seen:
- In duct-work
- On the far side of door openings
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Fire Damage Claims
Fire damage refers to the physical damage and loss caused by fire. It can affect parts of your home, like walls, furniture, and personal things. The fire's heat can make things break or collapse, and smoke leaves stains that are hard to clean. Even water used to put out the fire might also cause issues like mold.
Fire damage is covered under property insurance. There are six types of fire damage claims available.
Each claim type covers different damage and losses from a fire:
Class A
Fires that burn items like paper, cloth, wood, and plastic.
Class B
Fires with flammable liquids, such as gasoline, or solids that can turn into liquid.
Class C
Fires with gasses like propane, hydrogen, and natural gas.
Class D
Fires with metals such as sodium and potassium.
Class E
Fires that involve materials from Class A and B and also include electrical equipment.
Class F
Extremely hot fires that burn cooking oils and fats and cause a lot of damage.
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Fire damage can be split into two types by insurance companies: Primary and Secondary. Primary damage happens from the fire's flames, and Secondary damage results from smoke or other byproducts of the fire. We at Claims XP handle both and our expert public adjusters help you to get the settlement you deserve.
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Storm Damage Claims
Storm damage is the worst nightmare for any homeowner. Strong winds, wind-related disasters that scatter debris everywhere, freezing showers, snowstorms, lightning, and thunderstorms pose a severe threat to the roof and structure of your home. If your house is appropriately designed, it can withstand the destructive effects of storms, and it almost always happens that damaging form hits whenever strong winds sweep through. When such damage occurs, storm damage claims come to the forefront to help recover the losses.
You can only partially prepare yourself for the amount of damage a storm will cause. The severity of the damage depends on the storm's intensity and the type of storm damage. Although, a storm damage claim can save you from the aftermath of a severe storm that has wreaked havoc on your property. And if you are struggling to deal with the insurance claim process then storm damage claim consulting by expert public adjusters can help you a lot.
