Most homeowners policies provide for funds for additional living expenses. These are the amount you must incur over and above your normal expenses to live when you become displaced from your home by a covered loss.
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QUESTION: If a tornado damages our home to the point that we cannot live there safely, will our homeowner's policy cover staying in a motel?
ANSWER: Many homeowner's policies have provisions to pay a reasonable increase in living expenses which are necessary to maintain the insured's normal standard of living. it is important to check your policy to find out if you have this coverage. If you do, you also need to find out what amount your policy will pay.
Water Restoration Group
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Celebrate 50th anniversary of Atlanta Motor Speedway with weekend of night racing
ServiceMaster Racing hospitality will be at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for an exciting weekend of night racing. If there's one stop on the NASCAR circuit that you can't miss this year, it will be Atlanta! This year, the Service Master Clean team has been able to secure a premiere hospitality location that will put you in the midst of the action...on pit road! The Clean Machine hospitality area will be located behind the pits, mere feet from the pit stalls themselves.
Enjoy a race weekend like no other with guided pit tours, special driver appearances, exclusive infield access, food and beverage, goody bags, raffles, and much more.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the track and to celebrate, the speedway will host an unforgettable race weekend. On Sunday, just prior to the race, your package will let you enjoy the classic rock sounds of the band Foreigner!
You don't want to miss out on this extraordinary weekend! We'll take care of you at the track and will give you a unique experience that can't be bought anywhere else
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
ServiceMaster of Buckhead -We're onTwitter!
We want to be of service to you in your homes, businesses and ONLINE! Do you have any questions for ServiceMaster? Ask away... http://twitter.com/smbuckhead
Did you know?
You can remove carpet marks left by furniture with ice cubes? -Fibers swell as they absorb the water. Vacuum carpet to pull up wet fibers, and restore your furniture
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Actual Cash Value
Actual Cash Value is a term frequently used in the settlement of property damage claims. It refers to the insurer paying the current cost of the damaged property less depreciation due to age, wear, tear, etc. If the policy pays on the basis of actual cash value, the insured will generally not be fully compensated for the cost to repair or replace damaged property.
My washing machine overflowed, What Now?
Question: My washing machine overflowed.
Will my homeowners policy cover the
damage?
Answer: Yes. Water damage from
overflowing washing machines and dish
washers normally will be covered by
homeowner's policy.
Will my homeowners policy cover the
damage?
Answer: Yes. Water damage from
overflowing washing machines and dish
washers normally will be covered by
homeowner's policy.
Friday, August 13, 2010
QUESTION:I am shopping for a house. What do I need to know about homeowner’s insurance before I buy?
ANSWER: There are two parts to a typical homeowner’s policy: (1) property coverage protects the home and contents plus losses for additional living expenses, and (2) liability coverage protects you from lawsuits. The amount of home coverage should be at least 80%, or more, of the replacement cost of your home. Coverage of the contents of your home is usually an amount at least half of the structure coverage.
ANSWER: There are two parts to a typical homeowner’s policy: (1) property coverage protects the home and contents plus losses for additional living expenses, and (2) liability coverage protects you from lawsuits. The amount of home coverage should be at least 80%, or more, of the replacement cost of your home. Coverage of the contents of your home is usually an amount at least half of the structure coverage.
QUESTION:I recently installed smoke alarms on all levels of my home. Am I entitled to a discount on my homeowners policy?
ANSWER: Most insurance carriers offer discounts for several features, one of which may include smoke alarms. The amount of the reduction varies from company to company. You may be able to get an insurance discount and have a safe home for your family as well.
ANSWER: Most insurance carriers offer discounts for several features, one of which may include smoke alarms. The amount of the reduction varies from company to company. You may be able to get an insurance discount and have a safe home for your family as well.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Celebrate 50th anniversary of Atlanta Motor Speedway with weekend night racing
ServiceMaster Racing hospitality will be at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for an exciting weekend of night racing. If there's one stop on the NASCAR circuit that you can't miss this year, it will be Atlanta! This year, the Service Master Clean team has been able to secure a premiere hospitality location that will put you in the midst of the action...on pit road! The Clean Machine hospitality area will be located behind the pits, mere feet from the pit stalls themselves.
Enjoy a race weekend like no other with guided pit tours, special driver appearances, exclusive infield access, food and beverage, goody bags, raffles, and much more.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the track and to celebrate, the speedway will host an unforgettable race weekend. On Sunday, just prior to the race, your package will let you enjoy the classic rock sounds of the band Foreigner!
Monday, August 9, 2010
One of the most misunderstood things about Trees:
One of the most misunderstood coverages found in a homeowners policy is related to property damage caused by trees, tree replacement and tree removal. The standard homeowner’s policy provides limited coverage that depends on the circumstances that caused the tree to fall and where it fell.
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QUESTION: My neighbor says that I have to pay for the damage to his house/car since they were damaged by my tree when it hit his house/car. My insurance company says I don't owe him. Who is right? Do I have to pay him?
ANSWER: If your tree was not dead or dying and an imminent hazard before it fell, you are probably not liable for your neighbor's house/car damage. If you are not legally responsible for the damages, your insurance company will not pay your neighbor for damages you do not legally owe. However, if you knew the tree was dead and/or diseased and you didn't take action to prevent damage that you knew would likely occur, you may be held responsible or legally liable for such damage or injury.
Storm Damage FAQ:
The standard homeowners policy does protect you for most “storm” activity. You should be prepared to make reasonable effort to protect your property from damage. When and if there is damage to your property, you must try to prevent further loss.
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QUESTION:As a result of rain and hail storm, we have a hole in our roof. If I get the roof patched before the insurance adjuster comes to see it, will the insurance company still pay for the actual repair of the roof?
ANSWER: Normally. It is your responsibility to protect the roof from further damage until the insurance adjuster can determine the extent of the loss. In order to get reimbursed for these expenses, you should keep receipts to submit to the insurance company.
QUESTION:Does my "new" policy cover me for the hurricane that has been announced?
ANSWER: If you just bought a policy, you need to contact your agent. Don't wait until a storm is pending to buy insurance coverage as it may not be effective until the storm is over.
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Helpful Info from the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire
Homeowners insurance, also called property insurance, protects the homeowner from weather-related damage, as well as potential liability from events that occur on the property. Lenders require homeowners insurance coverage to protect the collateral that secures their loan. Some homeowners insurance policies do not cover catastrophic events such as tornadoes, hurricanes or floods. These kinds of events generally require a separate insurance policy.
Replacement Cost coverage is becoming more prevalent in insurance policies. It means that insurer will pay the full cost to repair or replace your damaged house or personal property with new materials of the like, kind and quality that was damaged or lost. To receive the full replacement cost, however, most insurance policies require that the damaged property be repaired or replaced within a reasonable period, generally, 180 days from the date of the loss.
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QUESTION: The insurance company estimated that the replacement cost to repair my roof is $5,500.00 but only paid $3,900.00. I only have a $500.00 deductible. Why are they paying less than the replacement cost minus the deductible?
ANSWER: The insurance policy agrees to pay the replacement cost minus the deductible provided the damaged property is, in fact, replaced. Thus, the insurance company generally advances the actual cash value or depreciated value of the damaged property pending commencement of repairs or full replacement of lost property. Once repairs begin or property replaced, the insurance company will pay the full replacement amount.
http://www.gainsurance.org/
Replacement Cost coverage is becoming more prevalent in insurance policies. It means that insurer will pay the full cost to repair or replace your damaged house or personal property with new materials of the like, kind and quality that was damaged or lost. To receive the full replacement cost, however, most insurance policies require that the damaged property be repaired or replaced within a reasonable period, generally, 180 days from the date of the loss.
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QUESTION: The insurance company estimated that the replacement cost to repair my roof is $5,500.00 but only paid $3,900.00. I only have a $500.00 deductible. Why are they paying less than the replacement cost minus the deductible?
ANSWER: The insurance policy agrees to pay the replacement cost minus the deductible provided the damaged property is, in fact, replaced. Thus, the insurance company generally advances the actual cash value or depreciated value of the damaged property pending commencement of repairs or full replacement of lost property. Once repairs begin or property replaced, the insurance company will pay the full replacement amount.
http://www.gainsurance.org/
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