Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Each year, countless Americans haul out their holiday decor in the hopes of creating the best display ever invented. The sad reality of the matter is things don’t always work out as they would have hoped. Here’s a look at what can go wrong when decking the halls and how public adjusting firms can help:

Two of the unfortunate things that may occur are holiday decoration theft and vandalism. Just last year thieves stole Christmas decorations from several residents’ lawns. Similar instances took place in New York and Florida too. The amount of decorations stolen and vandalized obviously varied with every situation. However, some home and business owners lost close to $1,000 worth of holiday décor.

So how does one avoid having to deal with such holiday theft and vandalism problems? Our public adjusting firm’s staff suggests looking into establishing neighborhood watches and investing in time-tested security systems. Such actions may just help to keep the world’s Grinches at bay. It is also advisable to initial your decorations, make a photographic record of each one and save all of the receipts.

Theft and vandalism are not the only things that can go wrong in regards to holiday decorations. There is also the issue of holiday decoration related fires. According to historical figures, Christmas tree fires alone cause more than $17 million in property damages each year, nationwide. That’s not factoring in fires caused by faulty holiday lights, candles, Yule logs and animatronics.

To avoid such holiday catastrophes, our public adjusting firm recommends using décor that is non-flammable, UL-rated and in excellent condition. As far as the trees go, keeping them properly watered is a must. It is also important to unplug all electric powered decorations and extinguish any flames when you can’t be around to monitor them closely.

Wondering what to do if a holiday decorating disaster happens anyway? Well, the first thing on your “to do” list should be to pull out your insurance policy and contact us. Many insurance policies actually cover damages related to holiday decoration theft, vandalism and fire. So we can help you read through the paperwork, file and settle your claim. For more information about our public adjusting firm can help you recover from a holiday decorating disaster, call (877) 869-8989.

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tips for Avoiding Holiday Decoration Woes

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Did you know that approximately 2,000 residential fires occur on Thanksgiving Day every year? That’s nearly double the amount of fires that take place on other days of the month. According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s latest data, most of those fires start between noon and 4 p.m.  In the process, they cause an estimated $21 million in damages. The good news is our public adjusters have a few suggestions on how you can prevent such holiday mishaps from occurring:

#1 Fry Safely

Cooking disasters, including those connected to turkey fryers, are one of the chief causes of Thanksgiving Day fires. So our public adjusters would like to urge all fried turkey fans to use the utmost of caution this year. The best course of action is to place the fryer outside and away from flammable objects. It is also important to thaw the turkey properly and keep a Class K fire extinguisher nearby.

#2 Use Sterno Safety Equipment

While we are on the subject of foods and flames, don’t forget to use caution with Sterno’s cooking fuel too. They contain jellied, denatured alcohol, which is highly flammable. As such, they should never be placed on a table without the proper safety equipment in place. Safety equipment that should be used with Sterno includes wire fuel holders, snuffer paddles and non-combustible trays. It is also important to note that in order to account for any splatter issues, the non-combustible trays should extend well beyond the Sterno containers in each direction.

#3 Handle Candles Cautiously

Although they are the chief cause of Thanksgiving Day fires, cooking mishaps are not the only things to look out for. Our public adjusters would also like to remind everyone to handle holiday candles cautiously. Do not place the lit candles close to centerpieces, table linens or paper decorations. Otherwise, they could easily cause those items to go up in flames.

#4 Remember Our Public Adjusters

Finally, remember that if a Thanksgiving Day fire does occur, our public adjusters are nearby and willing to help. Just contact us by calling (877) 869-8989. Afterward, one of our public adjusters in Florida or New York will get to work on your claim.

Public Adjusters" Tips for Avoiding and Dealing with Thanksgiving Day Fires

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

Our Florida public adjusters know that as November draws to a close, residents are likely to bust out their portable space heaters for warmth. These seemingly innocuous actions unfortunately make the weeks that follow prime time for home heating fires to occur. For verification, just take a look at the National Fire Prevention Agency’s most recently reported figures. They indicate that there are typically more 50,000 heating related fires that occur each year. With that said, we thought it pertinent to list our Florida public adjusters‘ tips for preventing and dealing with space heater fires:

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #1: Conduct an Equipment Check

Before the first frost on the citrus occurs, be sure to conduct a thorough equipment check. We’d suggest starting the process by making sure that your portable or fixed space heater is clean and in excellent condition. You’ll also want to test your building’s smoke and carbon monoxide monitors as well as its fire extinguishers. After all, they should all be in working order too.

Once that is done, stop by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Safer Products’ websites. While there, conduct a brief search to ensure that the heater hasn’t been recalled since it was last placed into storage. If it hasn’t, it should be safe for continued, proper use. However, if it was recalled, we’d recommend discarding it and buying a new, safety certified heater.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #2: Prepare the Location

Afterward, survey and prepare the area where you plan on setting up your space heater. Ideally, it should be positioned in a level location that is free of flammable items and has good ventilation. You’ll also want to make sure that it isn’t in a spot where it could inadvertently get knocked over.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #3: Follow All Instructions

Once you’ve found the ideal spot and set the heater up, make it a point to follow all of the instructions that came with the unit. Otherwise, you could cause a fire as well as void the heater manufacturer’s warranty.

FL Public Adjusters’ Tip #4: Keep in Contact

Lastly, we’d suggest that you keep in periodic contact with us. That way, if a home heater fire does occur, we can help you settle your insurance claim quickly. To reach our Florida public adjusters year round, please call (877) 869-8989 or (516) 843-4040.

Florida Public Adjusters" Tips for Preventing Space Heater Fires

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage

With the Farmer’s Almanac calling for another frigid winter, our public adjusters in NY wanted to take time out to discuss cold weather related water damage. Cold weather related water damage may be caused by several different situations. Either one of them may cost New York property owners a sleigh full of cash.

Situations that may result in cold weather related water damage include broken pipes, ice damming issues and natural floods caused by ice jammed rivers. Understandably, the damage may or may not be covered by one’s insurance policy.

Speaking of which, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s figures, broken pipes in the winter can cost the average New Yorker $5,000 or more in property damage. Obviously, that’s not taking into account the other water damage scenarios we mentioned previously. They each come with their own astronomical price tags.

On a positive note, New Yorkers can take action to prevent some winter related water damage from occurring. They include adding insulation where needed, keeping the thermostat above 55 degrees Fahrenheit and draining water from unused pipes.

For those that may not have the funds necessary to add insulation, our public adjusters in NY would like to remind residents that there are resources available that may help. One of them is the Empire State’s Weatherization Assistance Program. It isn’t the only program available in New York either. Other winterization related services that New Yorkers may want to avail themselves of are the EmPower Program, HEAP and the Energy Star’s Assisted Home Performance Program.

If cold weather related water damage occurs despite one’s best efforts, it is also advisable to contact a reputable public adjuster in NY straightaway. Our public adjusting firm, for example, can help NY residents file cold weather related damage claims. We can also provide assistance in other ways. To learn more, please contact us at (877) 869-8989. Our public adjusters in NY would be happy to go over all of the details with you.

Public Adjuster in NY Discusses Cold Weather Related Water Damage

NY, NJ and FL Public Adjusters Talk about Mold Damage

Did you know that there are more 95,000 different types of mold worldwide?

It’s true.

Some of the molds grow outside. Others may grow inside of a building. Of the ones that grow indoors, approximately 100 may cause health problems to develop in humans. In addition, the mold spores can also damage a structure. With that said, our public adjusters decided to spend some time this week shining a flashlight onto mold damage and discussing how to handle it.

Let’s start with the basics. Research has shown that if conditions are right, mold can start to develop indoors in as little as 48 hours.

All mold needs to develop are the following:

• A temperature range between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Fahrenheit


• A consistently damp surface or relative humidity above 70%


• A food source (manmade or inorganic)

Given that, it is very important to address any leaks or condensation problems that your home may have immediately. Otherwise, damage to your property will quickly ensue. Take stain and decay fungi for example. They are microscopic, fast growing and love to colonize deep inside of wet wood. Thus, the longer they are allowed to grow, the weaker your home’s wooden structures are apt to become.

The good news is that there are ways to remove mold from a property. However, those methods are apt to vary based on the type of mold. That’s why it’s often best to address the water problem first and then call in a mold specialist to take care of the cleanup. Depending on your insurance policy, the cost of the repair and cleanup may be covered.

That’s where the services of Equitable Public Adjusters & Appraisers’ public adjusters will prove to be beneficial. Our public adjusters have a track record of successfully assisting property owners with mold damage claims from start to finish. Thus, we’ll help you to make sure that everything, including any below-the-surface mold damage, is factored properly into your insurance claim.

To discover additional ways that our public adjusters can help with mold damage situations, contact us. We have public adjusters located in New York, Florida and New Jersey. To reach them for an initial consultation, call (877) 869-8989.

NY, NJ and FL Public Adjusters Talk about Mold Damage

Florida Insurance Adjusters Talk about Lightning Damage Claims

Did you know that according to NOAA’s latest figures, 468 people have been killed in lightning strikes that have occurred throughout the State of Florida since 1959? That’s the most of any U.S. state. Nationwide, the average number of annual fatalities is said to be 100. It’s also interesting to note that collectively, the entire nation’s lightning strikes result in approximately $5 billion dollars in damage each year. Here’s a closer look:

Because of its inherent nature, lightning damage is said to be caused by several things. The estimated 25,000 to 45,000 amps of electrical current and 50,000 degree Fahrenheit heat generated by each strike are two of them. Together, they can literally destroy a structure and its contents in no time at all. The good news is that Floridians can take steps to protect their homes from lightning damage.

One of them is to secure a homeowner’s policy that includes adequate lightning coverage. Based on historical data, we’d suggest looking for policies that offer at least $6,000 in coverage. That’s because according to the Insurance Information Institute’s latest figures, the average lightning related insurance claim tends to fall in the $5,000 to $7,000 range.

We should also mention that some insurance companies offer modest to substantial discounts to those that adopt certain security measures. Those measures include, but are not restricted to installing lightning protection systems and using surge protectors. Understandably, the discount’s availability and cost savings will vary based on a person’s unique circumstances.

For those Floridians whose properties sustain lightning damage anyway, there is another action that they should take. That action is contacting us. Our Florida insurance adjusters are experienced in handling lightning damage claims. Therefore, we can assist Floridians in every step of the recovery process. For more information on what our independent insurance adjusters can do, call (877) 869-8989.

Florida Insurance Adjusters Talk about Lightning Damage Claims

Public Adjusting Firm Discusses Theft Stats and Prevention Tips

One in every 14.4 seconds. Shockingly, that is the number of burglaries that the Electronic Security Association’s figures indicate occur every single day in America. Add that to the FBI’s historical figures, which estimate that more than $2,000 in property is lost during each event and it’s enough to give even mild mannered Americans heart palpitations. We here at the public adjusting firm of Equitable Public Adjusters & Appraisers understand those emotions because we’ve been handling theft and vandalism claims for more than 5 decades. That’s why we’ve compiled a few burglary prevention and response tips that Americans may find helpful. Here they are:

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tip #1 – Be Social Media Smart

According to a recent infographic published on Technorati, a large percentage of burglars are believed to be using people’s social media activity to develop their list of targets. With that said, think twice before you tweet, post, like, check-in or share. Otherwise, you could end up inadvertently sharing all of your hard-earned property with your area’s criminals too.

 

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tip #2 – Adopt Security Measures

It is also a good idea to consider adopting other security measures as well. For example, don’t leave your window blinds open or your windows unlocked. Contemplate installing security cameras, motion detector lighting and theft deterrent landscaping measures too. Such steps should at the very least make your home or business a less appealing target to thieves.

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tip #3 – Purchase Adequate Theft Insurance Coverage

Purchasing adequate theft insurance coverage and keeping your list of valuables updated are smart steps to take too. Speaking of lists, be sure to make several copies and put them into secure locations. That way, you’re likely to have an easier time obtaining the information when you need it. Places to consider storing the lists are built-in, fireproof, home safes and bank safety deposit boxes.

Public Adjusting Firm’s Tip #4 – Get to Know Your Independent Claims Adjuster

Lastly, we’d recommend that you contact us and get to know our independent claims adjusters. Together, we can assist you in assigning value to your property, filing a theft related insurance claim and settling matters with your insurance company. Unlike others that may try to contact you after a burglary, our public adjusting firm’s main focus is keeping your best interests at the forefront. To discuss the matter further, call (877) 869-8989 or send us an e-mail. We have offices in New York, Florida and New Jersey.

Public Adjusting Firm Discusses Theft Stats and Prevention Tips