Insurance Loss – GA Insurance Adjusters Missing Hidden Damages From Small Tornadoes
Winter and spring storms can and will often include tornadic activity in many southern states. As part of a recent news interview an insurance company adjuster admits and confirms that many insurance loss damages from tornadoes are often missed and overlooked. Policyholders need to become educated of the various damages to look for and how to detect subtle damages that become very costly down the road. The types of damages that can show up months or years after the high winds and tornado activity is long gone.
Recently many Huntsville, AL neighborhoods found themselves in the path of a EF-2 tornado on January 28, 2010. Although most people agree that damage created by tornadoes are not difficult to see, even insurance adjusters and engineers can miss hidden damages, as they fail to look closely.
A thorough insurance loss inspection by a insurance claim consultant or independent insurance appraiser is suggested. Too many policyholders take their adjusters word for it, without getting a second opinion. This should almost never happen. Protect yourself and your home by educating yourself on these few wind damage inspection tips.
Plumbing: High winds will often shake, rack, and wiggle homes and buildings. Policyholders can perform a simple plumbing test by turning on all faucets in bathrooms and kitchens, followed by opening all cabinet doors to check for leaking. Continue by flushing toilets, running showers, and filling the bathtubs with water. Look for water stains and leaks on the ceilings, walls, and floors of the rooms below.
Roofing/Siding: Often times an insurance loss involving wind may not have appeared to damage the roof. It’s a good idea to look for flying debris that may have cracked, gouges or ripped in to the roof shingles. High winds can also rip and tear your shingles and siding allowing water entry. Windows & Gutters: Wind and flying debris can crack window glass, rip screens, and dent gutters.
Brick & Foundations: Check for cracking and separation. An insurance loss by wind can also cause uplift to foundations. Check the perimeter of crawlspaces. Severe damages can be hidden. Interior: High winds can cause stress cracks in corners of walls, and above doors and windows. Check for settling of floors by using a level. Over the following few days and weeks, keep an eye out for water stains or yellowing on the walls and ceilings, which could indicate hidden roof leaks.
In fact, insurance companies and the engineers they use have even been sued for failing to recognize and consider such damages for insurance loss claims following high winds and tornadoes. CNN reported “State Farm Penalized in Suit Over Tornado Claims :”
State Farm acted “recklessly” and “with malice” in handling insurance claims from dozens of families whose homes were damaged when a wave of tornadoes, including the strongest in recorded history, swept through Oklahoma in 1999, a jury has decided. The verdict…delivered millions to the lead plaintiffs… The jury in the District Court of Grady County, Oklahoma, awarded Donald and Bridget Watkins almost $13 million in total damages for their part in the class action suit against the nation’s largest insurer….
As we are all well aware, an insurance loss involving a tornado – results in very strong winds. Even tornadoes that do not actually “touch-down” can cause significant pressure on buildings. Such winds will push and pull on the structures causing fasteners and building parts to become compromised.
Above all, as stated, call an insurance loss consultant or independent insurance appraiser to inspect your property and be sure your home is safe. Feel free to call Insurance Claims Group, Inc. at 919-669-9111 to have all your insurance loss questions answered.
(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent insurance appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Get Insurance Loss Help , by visiting http://www.insuranceclaimsgroup.com or http://www.insurance-appraisal-services.com