This important message is for all Texas commercial and multifamily property owners dealing with water damage claims from last month’s freeze who want the maximum settlement they deserve in minimum time.
As we are going through an unprecedented number of water damage claims, (estimated damages are as high as $90 Billion) I wanted to share with you 2 timely best practices to consider right now!
- Hire a local mitigation company to demo and dry out wet materials with IICRC credentials.
- Hire ICRS Public Adjusters to get you the fair and prompt settlement you deserve!
Should I hire a 3rd party water damage mitigation company to remove wet areas or do it in-house?
That is the question many commercial owners have been asking themselves. Onsite property management personnel are overloaded with work orders trying to retain tenants while water-damaged units that still may not have been properly mitigated run the risk of mold. Ready or not, your insurance company’s adjusters are coming. What the insurer’s representatives see during your inspections and who represents your interests can make a big difference in your claim settlement.
As trusted Public Insurance Adjusters representing Commercial and Multifamily property owners throughout Texas, our advice is to have property management personnel resources handle work orders for your business, check vacant units/areas for damages, and make sure air conditioning is on to help dry out moisture. Running the business vs mitigating damage are two separate activities and this is why you have insurance. So, consider engaging a professional water mitigation company to tear out wet materials, mitigate further damage and perform a proper dry out to help prevent mold.
TIP>> How are policyholders dealing with water damage assured that the mitigation vendor will defend their work to the insurer’s and not be obligated to pay anything more than what the insurer will pay? We recommend mitigation vendors and policyholders agree as follows:
- Do the remediation in phases with adjuster approvals. The process goes a little slower at times, but really substantiates the services performed and for the rebuild.
- Memorialize that the scope of work will be performed pursuant to 3rd party water damage restoration and remediation protocol.
- Payment terms are in accordance with Texas insurance code payment statutes.
A reputable water mitigation contractor who uses professional certified restoration/remediation crews that have been trained on the S500 and S520 Restoration industry standards set by the IICRC process should have no issue documenting and supporting any reasonable and necessary scope of work or costs.
For more “pro-policyholder” tips on water mitigation and insurance claims please download our “7 Ways Commercial Building Owners Maximize Insurance Claims”.
Insurance claim driving you insane?
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