The Adjuster’s Visit: Minimizing Potential Problems

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO stands ready to help you with your restoration needs.

SERVPRO is ready to help you with your fire, water, mold, or storm loss.

Avoiding Potential Problems During An Insurance Adjuster's Visit

Few things cause as much consternation to a homeowner as working with a home adjuster after filing a loss with your insurance company. Knowing the insurance company has the future of your repairs in its hands can be both frustrating and frightening. But you can be prepared for any questions the representative may have by following a few simple steps. Although not all policies are equal, most insurance adjusters require the following information to settle an insurance claim.

1. Keep a log of everything possible. Yes, even in this technological world, information can get lost.  By keeping a log of phone calls, timeline, emails, and face-to-face communications, you are protecting yourself. Many people even send emails to confirm conversations after a meeting to prevent the “he said, she said” problems that can occur.

2. Create an inventory of damaged property and personal possessions. It is important to keep a complete inventory list of anything you plan to claim. Don’t forget to include the unseen items, such as damaged carpet padding, objects in cabinets, and sheetrock. For every item listed, include the following:

• Description of item, including make and model number
• Cash value when the item was purchased
• Cost of the replacement item
• Include any applicable paperwork, receipts, and bills

3. Ask your insurance company what restoration team it prefers to work with and contact the business immediately.This can ensure you are doing your best to protect the property from additional damage. Ask the crew to detail its cleanup efforts for your home’s adjuster, and request pictures before, during, and after cleanup.

4. Obtain written bids from licensed contractors.Get more than one bid, if possible. Bids should include a complete materials list with itemized prices.

5. Keep accurate records of expenses and repairs. If your safety is involved, and restorations must be made before a visit by the adjuster, keep detailed records. Also, notify the insurance company for approval before making the repairs.

Being prepared can minimize potential problems during a home adjuster visit. It can also help speed the claim process forward.

Your SERVPRO of Clarion Jefferson and Forest Counties team stands ready to help you get back to your life "Like it never even happened," call us at 814 849-5653

Safety First Before the Feast

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

Each November, families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your happy holiday could quickly become hazardous in the blink of an eye. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the main cause of home fires and injuries, with the Thanksgiving holiday being the peak day for cooking-related fire emergencies. Review the following safety tips to help ensure you can enjoy a safe holiday.

• Never leave cooking food unattended—stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If someone must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, they should turn off the stove.
• Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while kitchen equipment is in use. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep small children away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kidfree zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven.
• Keep anything flammable like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels away from the stove, oven, or other appliances in the kitchen that generates heat.
• Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease build-up.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen year round. Contact the local fire department for training on the proper use of fire extinguishers if you are unsure.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all kitchen appliances like stoves, ovens, and toasters are turned off.
• Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside of bedrooms. Use the test button to check it is working properly every month. Replace the batteries at least once a year.

National Preparedness Month is Here

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

You can be ready or you can be ruined!  We are “Here To Help!”  Natural hazards like floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, health hazards such as widespread and serious illnesses like the flu, human-caused hazards including accidents and acts of violence, and technology-related hazards such as power outages and equipment failure happen every day in different areas.  I guess you could say “Disasters happen”!

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile can help business leaders not only prepare for some of these hazards, but what to do afterwards in order to get back up and running.

Knowing what to do is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize damage and costs to your business.  Be sure to review your insurance coverage with your insurance professional.  Evaluate what hazards could happen in your area and obtain appropriate insurance for your home, business, car and other properties.

It is a FREE assessment of your facility or space. Prepared by your local SERVPRO professional.

It details the location of utility shut-offs, including pictures and the contact information for those utilities.

It is a FREE guide that is completed by an individual you designate and your Marketing Representative. The completed document contains critical information needed in the event of an emergency.  

It establishes your local SERVPRO of Clarion Jefferson and Forest Counties as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”   Give your GREEN Team a call to get started 814 849-5653.