Insurance Best Practices for Mitigation and Restoration: A Guide from SERVPRO Team Cox

8/28/2024 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes—whether it’s a fire, water damage, mold, or a biohazard situation—navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming. Among the many challenges that arise, dealing with insurance claims often tops the list for both residential and commercial property owners. At SERVPRO®, we understand the complexities of insurance and are committed to being your advocate throughout the entire mitigation and restoration process. Our goal is to ensure you receive the support you need while helping you understand the best practices to make your insurance experience as smooth and successful as possible.

Understanding Your Insurance Policy

Before disaster strikes, the most crucial step you can take is to fully understand your insurance policy. Many policyholders only skim through their coverage details, often missing critical elements that could affect their claims. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Know Your Coverage Limits

• Property Coverage: Familiarize yourself with the specific events covered under your policy, such as fire, water damage, storm damage, and mold. This understanding helps you know what to expect if a disaster occurs.
• Personal Property: Know the extent of coverage for personal belongings, as some policies may limit or exclude certain high-value items. Consider adding additional riders for items like jewelry, electronics, or antiques.
• Liability Coverage: This is crucial, especially for commercial properties. Understand your liability limits and ensure they are sufficient to cover potential third-party injuries or damages.

2. Understand Exclusions and Endorsements

• Exclusions: Be aware of what is not covered under your policy, such as flood or earthquake damage. For these risks, you may need to purchase separate policies.
• Endorsements: Consider adding endorsements to your policy for additional protection. For example, if you live in an area prone to flooding, adding a flood insurance endorsement is a smart move.

3. Review Policy Regularly

• Annual Reviews: Regularly reviewing your policy ensures that your coverage keeps pace with changes in your life or business. This is especially important if you've made significant upgrades or purchases.
• Update Your Insurer: Inform your insurer of any major changes, such as renovations, new purchases, or changes in occupancy. This keeps your policy up-to-date and prevents issues during a claim.

Preparing for the Unexpected

Once you're confident in your understanding of your insurance policy, the next step is to prepare for the unexpected. Proper preparation can expedite the claims process and reduce the stress of managing a disaster.

1. Conduct a Home or Business Inventory

• Documentation: Create a detailed inventory of your belongings, including photos, descriptions, and estimated values. For commercial properties, include equipment, inventory, and other assets.
• Digital Backup: Store your inventory list and any associated documentation digitally, so it’s easily accessible when needed. Use cloud storage or email the list to yourself for added security.

2. Emergency Contacts and Plans

• Insurance Contacts: Keep your insurance policy number and the contact information for your agent and insurer in a safe, easily accessible place.
• Emergency Plan: Develop an emergency response plan for your family or employees. Include evacuation routes, meeting points, and a communication plan.
• Preferred Vendors: Work with your insurance company to identify preferred vendors for mitigation and restoration services. SERVPRO Team Cox is often on these lists, which can speed up the approval process for services.

3. Routine Maintenance and Inspection

• Property Maintenance: Regularly maintain your property to prevent issues like leaks, mold, or electrical problems that could lead to damage.
• Safety Inspections: Conduct periodic safety inspections, particularly in older buildings, to identify and address potential hazards before they cause damage.

Navigating the Claims Process

When a disaster occurs, the claims process can be daunting. However, following best practices can ensure a smoother experience and help you get back to normal faster.

1. Report the Claim Immediately

• Timely Reporting: As soon as it's safe, report the incident to your insurer. Delaying the claim could lead to complications or even denial of coverage.
• Provide Accurate Information: Be honest and thorough in your description of the event. This transparency helps prevent issues later in the process.

2. Document the Damage

• Photographic Evidence: Take clear, comprehensive photos of the damage before any cleanup or repairs begin. These photos are essential for supporting your claim.
• Written Documentation: Keep detailed records of the damage, including descriptions of what was affected, the extent of the damage, and any temporary repairs you've made to prevent further loss.

3. Work with a Trusted Restoration Partner

• Professional Assessment: At SERVPRO Team Cox, we provide detailed assessments of the damage, which can be invaluable when negotiating with your insurer. Our expertise ensures that nothing is overlooked.
• Insurance Liaison: We often work directly with insurance adjusters to ensure all aspects of the damage are considered, making the claims process more efficient.

4. Temporary Repairs and Mitigation

• Prevent Further Damage: If possible, make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage. For example, if you have a broken window, covering it with a tarp can prevent rain from entering your home.
• Keep Receipts: Save receipts for any materials or services used for temporary repairs. These costs are typically reimbursable under most policies.

5. Stay Organized

• Claim File: Keep all documentation related to the claim in a dedicated file. This should include correspondence with your insurer, receipts, photos, and repair estimates.
• Follow-Up: Regularly check in with your insurance adjuster to ensure the claim is progressing. Staying proactive can help prevent delays.

Working with Your Insurance Adjuster

The insurance adjuster plays a critical role in your claim, as they assess the damage and determine the payout. Building a positive relationship with your adjuster is key to a successful outcome.

1. Be Cooperative and Transparent

• Open Communication: Maintain open and honest communication with your adjuster. Answer their questions fully and provide any requested documentation promptly.
• Availability: Be available for inspections or meetings. The sooner your adjuster can complete their assessment, the sooner your claim can be processed.

2. Know Your Rights

• Second Opinions: If you disagree with the adjuster's assessment, you have the right to request a second opinion or hire an independent adjuster. SERVPRO Team Cox can assist in providing a detailed assessment to support your case. We are here to advocate for you.
• Dispute Resolution: Familiarize yourself with the dispute resolution process outlined in your policy. This can include arbitration or mediation, which may be necessary if there’s a disagreement.

3. Advocate for Fair Compensation

• Detailed Estimates: Use detailed estimates from trusted restoration partners like SERVPRO Team Cox to ensure your claim accurately reflects the cost of repairs.
• Negotiation: Don’t be afraid to negotiate if you believe the payout is insufficient. Providing clear documentation and professional assessments can support your position.

Preventing Future Claims

Once your property is restored, it's important to take steps to prevent future damage. This not only protects your home or business but can also positively impact your insurance premiums.

1. Invest in Preventative Measures

• Upgrades: Consider investing in upgrades that can mitigate future risks, such as storm shutters, sump pumps, or fire-resistant materials.
• Routine Maintenance: Continue with regular maintenance and inspections to catch potential issues early.

2. Review and Update Your Insurance

• Adjust Coverage: After experiencing a disaster, you may want to adjust your insurance coverage. For example, if your policy limits were insufficient, consider increasing them.
• Consider Deductibles: Higher deductibles can lower your premiums but ensure you can afford the out-of-pocket costs if another disaster occurs.

3. Education and Training

• Employee Training: For commercial properties, ensure employees are trained in emergency procedures and understand how to prevent and respond to potential hazards.
• Community Involvement: Participate in community initiatives or educational programs focused on disaster preparedness. This not only benefits your property but also strengthens community resilience.

Why SERVPRO Team Cox?

At SERVPRO Team Cox, we’re not just another mitigation and restoration company—we're your partner in the insurance process. Our experience, combined with our commitment to customer advocacy, makes us uniquely qualified to assist you from the moment disaster strikes until your property is fully restored. We pride ourselves on being proactive and prepared, ensuring that every detail is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

1. Comprehensive Services

• We offer a full range of services, from emergency response to complete restoration, ensuring all your needs are met under one roof.

2. Experienced Team

• Our team has extensive experience working with insurance companies, making us an invaluable resource during the claims process.

3. Customer-Centric Approach

• We believe in a customer-first approach, ensuring you are informed, supported, and satisfied throughout the entire process.

4. Local Expertise

• With our deep roots in the Charlotte and Columbia communities, we understand the unique challenges that property owners in these areas face. This local knowledge allows us to provide tailored solutions that meet your specific needs.

Dealing with insurance claims after a disaster can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and the support of a trusted partner like SERVPRO Team Cox, you can navigate the process with confidence. By understanding your policy, preparing for the unexpected, and following best practices during the claims process, you can ensure that your property is restored quickly and efficiently. Remember, at SERVPRO Team Cox, we're here to take the stress out of your distress.

Call us at 704-393-7890.

Why SERVPRO for Proactive Commercial Cleaning

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

Proactive Commercial Cleaning

Being a proactive corporate and commercial business owner or property manager means taking control of a situation by causing things to happen instead of waiting to respond after things happen. This ‘staying ahead’ approach is especially critical for Charlotte-area businesses during the current coronavirus pandemic. 

For example, your office may not have been exposed, but you still want your employees and customers to feel secure. One way to maintain a healthy and safe work environment is through proactive cleaning. 

While it doesn’t prevent or protect buildings from future contamination, proactive cleaning provides peace of mind. It ensures environments are thoroughly and professionally cleaned, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) specifications. 

How does proactive cleaning work?

Deep cleaning and disinfecting has moved up on the list of priorities for businesses and institutions, but how does proactive cleaning work? SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston has developed a proactive cleaning and disinfection protocol based CDC specifications. 

Through years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, we’ve identified three categories of contamination:

1. Proactive cleaning when there aren’t any confirmed coronavirus cases or known coronavirus exposure. 
2. Cleaning for possible coronavirus exposure. 
3. Reactive cleaning when there’s a confirmed coronavirus case. 

Proactive commercial cleaning goes beyond the scope of work that a regular janitorial team performs daily. It involves a facility or structure deep cleaning and disinfection -- from kitchen vents to carpets to manufacturing equipment. 

Steps may include cleaning porous and nonporous surfaces, disinfecting nonporous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, tools and supplies, and disposing of waste.

Planning for deep cleaning 

Before conducting commercial cleaning, we ask customers for floor plans of their building or facility ahead of time. If floor plans aren’t available, our production manager will visit the location before the start of the project to determine how many people we’ll need, the best way for our team to move through the building, where we’ll start and end and if we’ll split up our team, so one group cleans the office while others take care of the warehouse. 

Having a proactive cleaning strategy in place before the work begins allows our deep cleaning experts to tackle the project efficiently and thoroughly. 

24/7 commercial cleaning assistance

SERVPRO of Northwest Charlotte is locally owned and operated as part of a national network of 1,700-plus franchises. Our deep cleaning experts are employees, not contractors, which means our team can respond very quickly and with more resources. For questions, contact us anytime at (704) 286-8720 or request help online. 

Why should you choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte for your cleanup and restoration needs?

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Why should you choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte?

Why should you choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte for your cleanup and restoration needs? We could go on and on about how we’re the best choice for you. However, we’ll let people just like you- perhaps even your neighbor- speak for themselves about their own unique situation.

Water Damage

“SERVPRO was quick to answer and respond to the water loss in my home. They were able to extract the water and save my floors. They worked with my insurance company and made the process easy to understand.”

Fire Damage

“SERVPRO has done a terrific job for my family.  Dealing with this fire was far more complicated than I thought it would be and your people have been there every step of the way.  The work is high quality, too.  Thanks for giving us our home back.” 

Mold

“I recently built a new home and the inspector said there was mold under the crawlspace.  SERVPRO met my urgent demand to inspect the property (as we are to close shortly) and provided a report.  Our SERVPRO employee could have easily told me I needed to remediate and I would have paid for it.  Instead, he very honestly told me there was no visible mold and remediation was completely unnecessary.  This is the second time I've used your services and will continue forever given the honest and quality work you provide.  Thank you for saving me thousands!!!”

Sewage Leak

“The owners of this SERVPRO have hired an amazing team of experts. I had a horrible situation on my hands and a plumber told me it'd take longer than a week to fix the sewage leak in my cellar. Really? That's not acceptable. This team came to my rescue. They stepped me through the entire process. They helped me with my insurance company. We only had to move our 1 night due to the issue. All of the staff are competent, on time, communicate well, and every single one of them was sympathetic and apologetic. They left things BETTER than they were before the sewage leak. Don't call anyone else. Call them first. You will be glad you did.”

How can we guarantee that you will also be satisfied with choosing SERVPRO of NW Charlotte?

We set the bar high by ensuring our professionals have completed extensive training and certifications including meeting the industry standard with The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), SERVPRO employee and franchise training, continuing education courses on emergency mitigation, and more.

You can rest assured that our staff is equipped with the latest training and proven methods to restore your property as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Why choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte for fire damage and restoration?

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO NW Charlotte - Fire Damage Restoration

We understand fires can be particularly catastrophic. Unfortunately, once the first responders drive away, your property probably will not only have suffered damage from just fire and smoke, but also water damage and flooding from the firefighter’s response and extinguishing methods.

Thankfully, SERVPRO of NW Charlotte professionals are specialized in both fire damage and water damage restoration and fully equipped to facilitate your restoration process through to completion. You can rest assured that we have made the process as efficient as possible for you.

Because your well being is our #1 concern, we hope this free checklist is helpful on the road to returning your property to "Like it never even happened."

Safety

Your safety is our top priority. After experiencing fire damage, please determine the following:

• Will you be safe inside the property? If not, evacuate immediately and do not return inside.
• Are there electrical hazards or any other variables that could cause injury?
• Only perform activities on the premises that are definitely safe.

Emergency Contact

Our restoration process starts as soon as you call SERVPRO of NW Charlotte. Remember that we are available 24 hours a day and respond faster to any size disaster. You will be asked questions to decide the degree of your fire damage and with what equipment and resources our professionals should respond. 

Inspection and Assessment

SERVPRO of NW Charlotte will thoroughly inspect and examine adjacent rooms of your property to decide the size of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is foundational in building an accurate and effective plan of action.

Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

In order to optimize security and prevent more damage, SERVPRO of NW Charlotte will board up any compromised or missing windows and walls and place tarps on any roof damage.

Water Removal and Drying (if needed)

SERVPRO of NW Charlotte will begin the water removal process at the onset of response. This process is done utilizing proven methods and specially designed equipment including dehumidifiers and air movers to remove and water and complete the drying process.

Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Like with water removal, we use specially designed equipment and methods to remove smoke and soot from all surfaces including walls, floors and ceilings.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Our professionals will use an array of cleaning methods to restore your personal items "Like it never even happened." This includes the important step of odor removal by using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Restoration

Last but not least is your final step-restoration! This step includes any repairs such as replacing or installing flooring and drywall, painting, and reconstructing any areas or rooms that were demolished or damaged.

Don’t trust your restoration to just anyone. SERVPRO of NW Charlotte is a trusted leader in the restoration industry, and our specialists are highly trained to provide you with 24/7 emergency assistance. Between their extensive training, specialized equipment and proven cleaning techniques, your property will be back to pre-fire condition so that you can be back to your normal life as quickly as possible.

Why SERVPRO - Certified: SERVPRO Cleaning

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaning

SERVPRO of NW Charlotte is ready 24/7 to clean and disinfect your facility or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our team has years of experience - dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular cleaning staff perform daily.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as tabletops,  counters, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, bathroom fixtures, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables.

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

If your facility or business needs deep cleaning services, call SERVPRO of NW Charlotte.

Cleaning Up Your Business After Storm Damage

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning Up Your Business After Storm Damage

In North Carolina, there are many cases where storms cause significant damage to your business or the building you operate your business out of. If that is the case SERVPRO of NW Charlotte is here to help. We want to make sure that you have help from start to finish getting your business back up and operational again. 

In most cases high winds will cause significant wind damage. This can cause shingles to come off, trees flying into windows and other types of high impact damage. Our experienced team can handle all of the situations 24/7, 365 days a year. 

It is important if you have any questions to reach out to us at anytime. We hope you don't experience a severe storm, but if you do know that we are here for you. 

Proactive Disinfecting: Helping businesses during the pandemic

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Why Choose SERVPRO for Proactive Cleaning

As commercial activity continues throughout the Charlotte area, business owners and property managers remain focussed on maintaining safe and healthy work environments. We provide professional standby cleaning services that provide peace of mind to employees, vendors, clients and customers.

Why SERVPRO for Proactive Commercial cleaning?

Proper cleaning and disinfection routines can significantly reduce or eliminate pathogens on objects and surfaces in facilities, workplaces, and offices. With deep cleaning and disinfecting now integrated into the new normal, businesses can rely on experts who deal specifically with biological contaminants. 

The SERVPRO of NW Charlotte’s commercial cleaning team is fit-tested for full-face respirators and trained in biohazard cleaning protocols. Our deep cleaning experts are employees, not contractors, with more resources and the most effective equipment. 

With our standby cleaning services, property managers and business owners can minimize disruptions while still ensuring their offices, buildings and facilities are thoroughly and professionally cleaned. For example, if a property manager calls us with a last-minute request for a facility deep cleaning that same night, we can take care of it. A contractor, however, has limited resources and might not be able to offer such a quick turnaround. 

Viral cleanups: What we do, what we know

Whether you're addressing ducts, carpet, vents or equipment, ongoing maintenance cleaning will help keep your property looking professional and help prevent some maintenance issues. But the pandemic requires business owners to disinfect any high-touch surfaces regularly.  

Examples include tables, doorknobs, light switches, hard-backed chairs, countertops, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, fixtures and electronics (phone receivers and keypads, computers, keyboards, tablets, touch screens, kiosks and remote controls). 

Other commercial spaces that may require disinfecting and deep  may include:

• Sales counters
• Water fountains
• Soda and snack machines
• Kitchens, break rooms and food areas
• Bathrooms
• Meeting rooms and classrooms
• Shelving and racks
• Carpets, rugs and drapes
• Furnaces and air conditioners
• Elevators and stair and escalator handrails
• Playground and fitness equipment

Whether the job requires sanitizing agents, germicides, or antimicrobial treatments, SERVPRO of NW Charlotte only uses OSHA-approved cleaning agents to eliminate contaminants. And, our cleaning experts adhere to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local authority guidelines related to pathogen exposure and cleaning procedures.

Learn more about ProActive Clearing, Disinfecting, and 

• The Deep Clean: Disinfecting workplaces, offices and facilities
• Staying Ahead with Disinfecting Cleans: The importance of proactive cleaning through a Pandemic
• Reactive Disinfecting - "Like it never even happened."

Standby commercial cleaning

Although SERVPRO of NW Charlotte is part of a national network of 1,700-plus franchises, we’re locally owned and operated and part of the Mecklenburg, Lincoln ,and Gaston communities. 

Our team can handle any commercial cleaning needs: proactive cleaning when there aren’t confirmed cases or known coronavirus exposure; deep cleaning for possible coronavirus exposure; and reactive cleaning if there’s a confirmed case. For questions, contact us anytime 24/7 at (704) 393-7890 or request help online. 

Certified Cleaning and Disinfecting

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

We're here to help you feel confident with reopening your business or commercial property. It is important to make your employees and customer feel safe and confident in returning by creating a safe, and clean environment. Trust in us to help you! We have implemented use of Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned signs that should make your employees and customers feel safe when returning!

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston uses hospital-grade disinfectant, as recommended by the CDC. While there is no product tested against this particular strain of virus, we are following all guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities. 

SERVPRO of Northwest Charlotte is prepared to clean your business/commercial property. Give us a call at 704-393-7890.

Why Choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston County

7/12/2019 (Permalink)

Why choose SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston County.

It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as fire and flood never reopen!  Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.

Are you “Ready for whatever happens?”

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood.  The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.

The SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program.  Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company. 

By working with SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston Countyto develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. 

SERVPRO^® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

Meet our Owner - Penny Benkeser

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

Penny Benkeser, Owner of SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston County

Penny Benkeser, owner of SERVPRO of NW Charlotte, Lincoln County, Southern and NE Gaston County and president of the Charlotte Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) joins Good Day's Barbara Lash to talk about women in business.

Penny is the 2016-2017 President of the Charlotte chapter of NAWBO.  In this interview she is able to discusses the woman owned business community in Charlotte and the role of NAWBO in the local community.  She also talks about a few of the upcoming events meant to provide education and networking resources for women business owners.  

Finally, she also speaks to some of the benefits she has been able to leverage based on her NAWBO membership and the impact on the growth on her business.   

Click Here to Watch the Video

Who to Call When Trees Fall on Your Home

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Fallen Tree Storm Damage

Whether it was caused by root rot or strong winds, if a tree has fallen on your house, there’s a series of steps you’ll need to follow to get your house and property back to normal.

Hurricanes, floods and snowstorms are a few types of weather conditions that can cause trees to fall, which could result in roof and interior damage. While older and diseased trees are more vulnerable to extreme weather and high winds, remember that even strong, healthy trees can topple under these conditions.

Fallen trees are one of the main causes of roof damage, according to the National Storm Damage Center, costing more than $1 billion in property damage each year. From tree removal to roof repair and everything in between, learn what you need to do and who you need to contact to recover from storm damage.

1. Contact SERVPRO of NW Charlotte immediately. They will send a project manager out on site quickly. Once on site they will determine what equipment is needed to get the tree off of your home. 

2. If there is a lot of rain the inside of the home might be damaged. SERVPRO can handle all of the cleanup and drying to get your home back to pre loss condition. 

3. If there is rebuilding necessary in results of the tree damage, SERVPRO of NW Charlotte's construction team will be able to handle the job from start to finish.