Claim Consultants, LLC

Winter is coming. Along with the eggnog and holiday season comes blizzards and black ice. Learn about a few ways you can prepare your home before the winter season. Prepare your Heating and Ventilation System Test your system ahead of time to find out if it needs maintenance such as air filter replacements. Also check your air conditioning While air conditioning and winter don ’ t usually go hand-in-hand, make sure your unit is properly cleaned and covered before winter comes. This will help prevent rusting and freezing, and can also come in handy if winter is warmer than normal. Fireplace, Chimney, Flue A fireplace is a saving grace in 20 degree winters, so make sure that it is properly cleaned an inspected prior to the colder months. This includes clearing it of nests, clearing dangerous creosote, and checking for necessary repairs. Pipes Pipes can freeze during cold weather, causing costly repairs. Draining unused pipes and insulating exposed piping could he...

Different roofing materials are designed to withstand weather. The shingles for a house in Los Angeles will have to withstand different stresses than one in Boston. So which material is best for where you live? Asphalt Asphalt shingles hold up well to most weather conditions like rain, snow, wind, and hail. They are the most common shingles and are use across the country, despite their weakness being warm, dry climates. Metal No longer used for barns, metal roofs are durable enough to handle all types of weather and can last 30 years or more with minimal maintenance. Wood Usually made from Cedar or Redwood, wood shingles are versatile, natural, and offer a classic look. However, they ’ re not great in wet or hot climates, as they ’ re prone to warping or cracking. Modern composites offer the same look with better longevity. Clay Tiles Commonly found in the South and Southwest US, clay tiles are known for their red color and resistance to heat. The reason they ’...

The unthinkable has happened: you need to replace your roof because of storm damage. As anyone who has had to deal with filing a homeowner ’ s insurance claim can tell you, insurance companies require quite a bit of footwork to get claims processed and approved before you can sit back and relax to the sounds of roofers repairing your home. Making a mistake in the claims process can lead to delays in payment or even denial of claims. So let ’ s talk about what you need to know when filing a claim with your insurance company. First, make sure your insurance will cover the damage Before you go all the way through the claims process, figure out if your damage is covered and how much your insurance company will pay. Some policies take the age of your roof into account, and pay out accordingly. If your roof is 10 years old, they can claim that it had already depreciated a certain amount, and only partially pay for a new one. Have your documentation ready to go In the claims pr...

While storms can happen at any time of the year, the summer months are when they peak in both frequency and severity. These storms can damage your home with strong winds, debris or falling hail, and heavy rains. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can do to minimize storm damage as well as what damage to look for after the storm passes. Hail Damage Hail is perhaps one of the most destructive aspects of severe storms, accounting for almost 40% of all insured losses averaging $15 billion dollars per year1. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot that homeowners can do to prevent hail damage aside from keep current on home maintenance and repairing any damage in preparation for the next storm. After a hail storm, inspect your roof for dark marks on asphalt shingles. These will need to be inspected by a roofing professional to evaluate the damage. Any broken or cracked windows will need to be fixed or replaced, as well as siding, soffit, and fascia that appear to be damaged. While it m...