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Mould growth within the indoor environment, often a direct consequence of water damage, poses significant health risks and property damage. Understanding the risks and knowing how to manage mould effectively is crucial, especially in the context of water damage claims.
Mould resulting from water damage, such as leaks, can be extremely dangerous. It increases the risk of respiratory problems, allergic reactions, asthma, and can impact the immune system. Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk. Addressing mould issues promptly and correctly is essential.
Mould thrives in moist environments and is commonly found near ceilings, windows, and roofs where water leaks and damp problems occur. Activities like cooking, drying clothes indoors, and hot showers contribute to indoor humidity, creating ideal conditions for mould growth on various surfaces, including wood, cardboard, and plasterboard.
Mould on ceilings often results from high humidity and inadequate ceiling insulation. To prevent mould, ensure good home ventilation, regular cleaning, and maintenance. Utilizing extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms and maintaining proper wall insulation can significantly reduce condensation problems.
As a business owner, it's crucial to protect staff and customers from exposure to mould. Contacting a specialist immediately for mould remediation is vital to mitigate health risks and property damage.
Effective mould treatment requires understanding the elements of mould growth: spores, water, and food source. Quick action to eliminate these elements is essential in preventing and controlling mould growth.
Oakleafe Claims, with their expertise in fire and flood damage, are well-equipped to handle complex insurance claims associated with water damage. They focus on preventing further damage and health exposure from mould, ensuring a thorough and safe resolution to water damage claims.
Dealing with mould and water damage requires prompt and effective action. Understanding the types of damp, implementing damp treatments, and knowing when to contact your insurer are crucial steps in managing these issues. With professional help from companies like Oakleafe Claims, you can navigate the complexities of water damage and mould, ensuring your property and health are protected.
In West Midlands and need help with your Insurance Claim? Give Oakleafe Claims a call. We provide insurance claims management services in all of West Midlands, so if you suffer a flood, fire, storm, burglary, or leak in your home or business, contact our expert team to get yourself back on track. We are on hand 24/7 as your local insurance claim specialists.
Oakleafe Claims are award-winning Loss Assessors operating all over the UK, including West Midlands. We have been helping people and businesses with insurance claims since World War 2 and so retain an enormous amount of experience in all types of claims. With a proven track record through a long list of clients who have been successfully assisted with their claims, Oakleafe are your first port of call should disaster strike in your West Midlands home or business.
While the biggest mistake is not having insurance at all there are 3 Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make and therefore are best avoided. The first is not filing on time, the second is not providing adequate documentation or and the third is destroying evidence. You may be surprised at how often these occur; However, to be fair after a fire in your home the insurance company’s procedures are not at the forefront of anyone’s mind.
Although, claims do get rejected for these reasons and when that happens it is a big deal.
According to the Association of British Insurers only “79% of home insurance claims are successful” .
So there is a real risk of a claim being rejected. Considering that the average UK home contains assets worth around £35,000 and that the repair or replacement costs of the damaged property can often be higher than its value it is well worth it to know how to file a claim properly.
First Insurance Claim Mistakes Made Is Not Filing On Time. -Yes, contacting the insurer within a reasonable time is a standard policy requirement. Most insurers have written procedures about a reasonable amount of time to file a claim after an incident. You can check your policy or contact your insurer to find this out. If the issue is gathering the needed documentation for a reasonable claim, do let your insurer know that is what you’re doing.
Filing on time is essential because the insurance company can deny your claim for an unreasonable delay and this is one of The First Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make. If the incident is a fire or burglary notifying authorities is also necessary and the insurance adjuster will require their report. Not filing on time is probably the most common mistake which causes claims to be rejected. So, if a fire or a burst pipe happens do not procrastinate – contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
The second Insurance Claim Mistake Made Is Generic Filing - Proper record-keeping following an incident is the second most crucial thing when a claim is successful in avoiding making an Insurance Claim Mistake. This includes photographs of the damage, pre-damage photos, receipts or proofs of purchase, and any reports from authorities, such as the fire department’s report.
Photograph all damage as soon as it is safe to do so and obtain surveillance videos if you have cameras installed. An adjuster will require proof of loss so have it ready when they ask. It is also always a good idea to keep records of all communication between you and the insurance company.
You don’t have to wait for a disaster to strike to start keeping adequate records. You can prepare by having your home photographed and keeping the photos as well as any other documentation in a cloud-based platform such as Google Drive. It may give you peace of mind that in case any disaster strikes you know where to find what you need quickly.
The Third Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make Is Eliminating Evidence. People who do this do not think of it that way. For instance, if your property is damaged by fire or water, the natural tendency may be to throw a burnt or water-damaged item away, but that is the last thing you should do. Could you keep everything as is until all damage is documented and your insurer has had time to verify the loss? There will always be time to clean up after filing your claim.
If you hire a Loss Assessor such as Oakleafe Claims they will guide you through all this. It is always helpful to have someone qualified who will pay attention to all those procedural details and who will make sure everything is done correctly with your claim so that you don’t have to worry about it.
Some of the Insurance Claim Mistakes That Result In Rejection are as follows - Refusing to cooperate with the insurer’s requests for information can be a reason to deny a claim. The adjuster needs proof of your loss, which means documentation such as photographs and any receipts or proof of purchase of items claimed. If you do not have anything to submit as proof, your claim will likely be delayed in processing or denied, and this is a pivotal Insurance Claim Mistake made by many.
Claims are also likely to be rejected for not being filed on time and in cases of inadequate coverage. If you file for a damaged laptop but you do not have Portable Items insurance, you may not be reimbursed for that item even though your policy may cover other damage. It is important to know exactly what your policy covers so that this is not an unpleasant surprise when something happens, and you have a million other things to worry about.
It may seem like a no-brainer to know your insurance policy, but with the busy lives we all lead, people often need to read them after purchasing them. Your home is not just the sum of its market value and contents but also where you and your family make your history. It’s important to know what you are covered for before anything happens.
Not filing on time, not keeping adequate documentation and eliminating evidence are the 3 Insurance Claim Mistakes Most People Make, but there are plenty of other mistakes you can make. Insurance companies are always on the lookout for any inconsistencies in a claim and they always look to minimize the settlement. One way to ensure that your claim is successful, that it is processed quickly and for its real value is to hire a Loss Assessor such as Oakleafe Claims. Having someone on your side is important when it is your home and your peace of mind at stake. Never mind looking incompetent – the bottom line is that you probably do not want to be a part of the 21% of claims that get rejected.
When the chilling frost of winter sets in, it's not just our bodies that need protection from the cold. The water pipes that bring water flowing into our homes can freeze, resulting in a potential burst pipe. Dealing with the aftermath can be costly, but that's where your insurance comes in. Here are the top tips for managing burst pipe insurance claims.
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of insurance claims, let's first understand the risk. The cold weather can make water in your pipes freeze. When water freezes, it expands, causing immense pressure on your water pipes, potentially leading to a leak or burst. This issue predominantly affects pipes in unheated indoor areas like basements, attics, and in the roof space where warm air is minimal.
The first tip is to prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place. An approved plumber can insulate your pipes, especially those exposed to the cold air to circulate, reducing the risk of pipes freezing.
You could also use hot water bottles or leave your heating on a low setting, even when you're out, to ensure warm air circulates around your property. Another precaution is to leave taps open to drain the system, minimising the chance of water freezing within the pipes.
If you discover a frozen or burst pipe, it's crucial to act quickly to minimise the damage.
First, you should turn off the water supply using your stop tap. This will halt any further water flowing from the burst pipe.
Try to remove any belongings from the vicinity to limit the damage caused by escaping water. Your insurance company will need to know what loss or damage to your home has been caused, so taking pictures and making a detailed list of any affected items can speed up your insurance claims process.
According to the Association of British Insurers, water damage is usually covered in your building insurance policy under, 'Escape of Water'. This can include burst pipes, leaking appliances, or an overflowing toilet. Escape of water damage is one of the most common types of domestic insurance claims, with insurance companies average insurance paying out £1.8 million every day for water damage in domestic properties.
Once the immediate threat is under control, it's time to start your claim. Contact your insurance company to report the water leak as soon as possible, providing them with all the details of the incident.
Including the steps you took to prevent the burst (like having an approved plumber insulate your pipes or leaving your heating on), can help to show that you took reasonable steps to prevent the damage.
Remember, your insurance company might want a professional assessment of the damage. Involving an approved plumber early on can not only help fix the issue but also provide a detailed report about the cause and extent of the damage. This report can be invaluable when making your insurance claim.
Expect your insurer to investigate all the details surrounding your burst pipe insurance claim. It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the circumstances surrounding the burst pipe in your home before submitting your claim, so you're not baffled when put on the spot. The insurance company will look at things such as:
Arm yourself with knowledge about these facts and circumstances so that you're able to give confident and clear answers when submitting your insurance claim. After you've submitted your insurance claim, your insurer will send out a loss adjuster to assess the damage and report back to the insurance company.
The loss adjuster works on behalf of your insurance company. Your insurance company will provide you with a settlement figure based on their loss adjusters' evaluations, likely to be the minimum necessary to cover the cost of restoring your home to its original condition.
Your insurer will not expect you to negotiate the figure, so equip yourself with knowledge and use the following tips to confidently mediate a decent and proper settlement figure. It is recommended to engage a independent Loss Assessor to look over the small print of your policy for you, such as Oakleafe Claims to ensure you and your home are protected.
Top Tips For Getting Your Burst Pipe Insurance Claim Accepted
To give yourself the best chance of having your Claim accepted you should:
Understand your insurance policy, if necessary, with the help of a Loss Assessor such as Oakleafe Claims so you're confident and able to dispute any falsehoods with your insurer. Let your insurer know you understand your policy, position and rights; your claim is more likely to be handled fairly and in good time. Familiarising yourself with the details of your policy also means you're aware and knowledgeable about specific guidelines to follow for your burst pipe insurance claim. If you do not adhere to such guidelines you could invalidate your claim.
Experiencing a burst pipe can be daunting, but knowing how to prevent it and how to navigate a successful insurance claim can make the situation more manageable. So, ensure you've taken all the precautions against cold weather, have a plan of action for a potential leak or burst, and maintain open communication with your insurance company. By doing so, you're well-equipped to handle any burst pipe situation that may arise.
If you have been declined whilst trying to claim on your domestic or commercial insurance, we can help. We can also help with professional services, for example, Brokers, VAR Valuations and Managing Agents.
