With the Southern California fires blazing all around me, I thought it might be a good time to talk about insurance. Big insurance companies have a dirty little secret. They systematically deny claims over and over in order to reduce their payout. It's the squeaky wheel that gets the fair settlement.
I learned this lesson the hard way.
Several years ago a pipe burst under my kitchen floor. The water came up from under the floor and damaged many of my cabinets and the wood floors. I submitted a claim to my Insurance Company and they tried to pay me a few thousand dollars. The Insurance Company denied most of my claim.
Luckily I had a friend who referred me to his Licensed public insurance adjuster, Bob Barton from Barton Consulting who I hired to file my insurance claim. Bob worked with the insurance company's adjuster and a mold contractor to complete an estimate for a complete repair of my kitchen including mold remediation. After only a few months, I ended up with a check for more than $60,000. I was able to have my kitchen completely repaired.
Bob Barton of Barton Consulting is now a part of my on-call real estate team.
I recently was on a listing appointment and while touring the home, I smelled mold. When we got to a room off the garage, I couldn't believe what I saw. Because of an unrepaired roof leak, there was mold growing in the room. I immediately called Barton Consulting. After visiting with my client, Bob filed a claim for roof damage and mold remediation. My client has now collected a sizable check from his insurance company and is in the process of repairing his damaged roof. Instead of listing a handy man special, I will now be listing a home in good repair. Needless to say, my client is thrilled with this extra service.
The fires that are burning here in Southern California cause more problems than burned homes. There is also smoke and water damage. Many insurance policies even cover mandatory evacuation costs and will reimburse hotel stays.
If you have smoke damage, (when you move a picture on the wall you can see a clean outline) your insurance company will pay to have your home steamed and cleaned, but only if you understand how to file the claim. It pays to hire a professional independent insurance consultant.
If your home has been fire damaged partially or totally because of these fires, it is important to hire an expert to help recover the costs necessary to rebuild your home and your life. You would be surprised at what an insurance policy will cover, but you have to know what to ask for in order to reap the benefits. Unfortunately, insurance companies don't volunteer this information to their clients.
If you would like more information on filing an insurance claim, please call Bob Barton at Barton Consulting. Bob has helped thousands of families repair their lives after a disaster. He has a staff of contractors, mold testers, attorney's and other professionals that will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve. Bob's company works in most states. I highly recommend this company for your personal loss or your client's losses. You can contact Bob Barton at 818-915-1864.
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