If your home has suffered water damage, it is important to stop the source of water intrusion and remove the moisture as soon as possible to prevent any additional damage. All water damage restoration jobs are unique, and a professional mitigation contractor can assist you in determining the work that is required to protect your home from continuing damage and begin the repair process. Calling your Homeowners Insurance carrier first can help get you in touch with the right contractor. So, what should a homeowner expect to happen once they contact a water mitigation vendor?

After the initial call, you will receive an appointment that usually occurs within hours of the initial call. Once the water mitigation vendor arrives for the appointment, they will inspect the home and evaluate the damage using special tools and equipment to measure the amount of moisture in the home. Using this evaluation, the vendor will create a plan to remove the water and explain how the process works. If there is standing water, they will remove this using a commercial vacuum system. With the standing water removed, they will begin drying the home using a combination of dehumidifiers and fans to circulate air throughout the room and remove the moisture. This process may also include removing water damaged material, such as drywall or carpet, from the home or drilling holes to aid in the drying process. Overall, the drying process may take multiple days to complete and crews will stop by to monitor the progress by taking moisture readings to make sure that the dehumidifiers are working to dry the area effectively. Finally, as the house dries and the moisture levels return to the pre-event levels, the crews will remove the equipment from the home and structural repairs can now officially begin.

Source:

Written by Michael Durovic, EVP, Pharos Claims Services

On May 11 1953, the most destructive tornado in Texas history reached downtown Waco at 4:36p.m. It killed 114 people, injured almost 600, and damaged hundreds of homes and businesses.

Texas leads the nation in tornadoes, and more take place in May than any other month. Are you ready?

1. Trim trees of dead branches

Broken limbs can put a hole in your roof and break windows, causing more damage inside your home.

2. Know how to turn off utilities

Tornadoes can knock out electricity and cause gas and water leaks. Know how to turn off utilities outside your home to avoid greater damage.
3Avoid damage from windblown yard items

Use mulch or shredded bark in landscaping instead of gravel or rocks. Secure sheds, patio furniture, and grills, or move them indoors if you can.

4. Protect important documents

Keep copies of insurance information and your home inventory off site or where you can get to them electronically.

5. Consider strengthening at-risk areas

High winds can damage garage doors or blow them in. Wind driven objects can break windows. A contractor can tell you about reinforcing your garage door and installing storm shutters for windows and doors.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/takefive/tornadoes.html

Source:Texas Department of Insurance

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/documents/flyers-en-logo.pdf

1. When is mold damage covered?

Most home policies cover sudden and accidental water damage. Examples would include a burst pipe, toilet overflow, or broken washer hose. If mold develops on a damaged item, it would be covered.

2. When is mold not covered?

Most home policies don’t cover water damage from gradual leaks or seepage, and that includes damage from mold. Mold from a flood would not be covered because home policies don’t cover floods. You would need a separate flood policy.

3. Adding coverage for mold cleanup

Most home policies don’t include mold cleanup and testing after a damaged item is removed. Your insurance company may let you add coverage for cleanup caused by a covered loss. Your agent can tell you what options are available.

4. How to prevent mold

•  Stop the water flow as soon as you can.
• Dry the area immediately. Mold can start growing in one day.
• Move wet items to a dry room or an area with fresh air.
• Pull up wet carpets, padding, and rugs.
• If you can’t dry the area yourself, use a service that specializes in cleaning up water damage.

5. Filing a mold claim

If you file a claim for mold removal, here are some tips:

• Make sure the mold professional has a state license.
• You’ll need an inspection to show that mold was removed and that you fixed the problem that caused it.
• Mold professionals must provide a certificate that the mold was removed.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/takefive/mold-coverage.html

Although the official hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th in Texas it is always a good idea to be prepared and know what steps to take.

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has a great 5 step Hurricane Preparedness checklist as follows:

1. Update your insurance coverage – make sure you have both windstorm and flood policies

Get windstorm and flood insurance well in advance of any storm. Most insurance companies, including TWIA, cannot offer a windstorm policy once a storm appears in the Gulf of Mexico (learn more). Flood coverage (which TWIA cannot provide) is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program and requires a 30-day waiting period after you purchase it before it becomes effective.

Understand what is included in your policy to avoid any surprises, and insure your property for what it would cost to rebuild, not current market value. Now is the time to meet with your insurance agent to update your policy. Visit our Inside a Policy page to learn more about TWIA policies, and our Policy Forms and Endorsements page to see examples of specific documents.

2. Take pictures of your home and personal property

Document your home and belongings with photos or video. Keep all important records like these in a safe location. If you need to file a claim, having an inventory will help expedite that process and help ensure an accurate claim payment for your covered belongings.

3. Prepare your property

A little preparation now can go a long way in reducing property damage during a storm. Install storm shutters (alternatively, cut plywood so it’s ready to install over windows in the build-up to a storm), trim trees, install roof straps, reinforce garage doors, and clear rain gutters and downspouts. Find additional tips at www.twia.org/hurricane-preparedness/.

4. Write down your emergency plan and build an emergency kit

Make a plan for you and your family and practice it. Know your area’s evacuation routes and where you can stay if you are ordered to evacuate. Create a list of important contacts and sign up for local emergency alerts.

Assemble an emergency kit that includes important basics (ex: water, nonperishable food, flashlight, batteries, etc.) and covers the unique needs of your family and pets. Because disasters can strike anywhere, make multiple kits: one for your home, one for your work, and one for your car. Ready.gov has additional tips to consider when building your kit.

5. Know where your important documents are located

Know where your important documents (ex. insurance policies, birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, mortgage papers, social security cards, etc.) are located. Don’t leave these items behind when you evacuate.

This year’s season forecasts can be found at

https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-predicts-near-normal-2019-atlantic-hurricane-season

Sources:

https://www.twia.org/hurricane-preparedness/

Damage to your building or personal property that was a direct result of a flood may be covered by your flood insurance policy.

The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) legally defines a flood as: A general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow.
Important to note: Damages caused by a sewer backup are covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. If the backup is caused by any other problem, the damages are not covered.

Below is some general guidance on flood insurance coverage:

What is covered under BUILDING PROPERTY coverage?

•  The insured building and its foundation
• The electrical and plumbing systems
• Central air-conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters.
• Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers.
• Permanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floor.
• Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases, and cabinets.
• Window blinds.
• A detached garage (up to 10 percent of Building Property coverage); detached buildings (other than detached garages) require a separate Building Property policy.
• Debris Removal

What is covered under PERSONAL PROPERTY coverage?

• Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment.
• Curtains.
• Portable and window air conditioners.
• Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers.
• Carpets not included in building coverage (see above)
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Food freezers and the food in them
• Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)
  What is not insured under either Building Property or Personal Property coverage?
• Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner (Duty of Care)
• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates.
• Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
• Living expenses such as temporary housing
• Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property.
• Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts.

Source:

https://www.floodsmart.gov/how/what-is-covered