Who Pays for Fire Damage in a Rental Property?

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

Who Is Responsible for Fire Damage in a Rental Property?

Fire damage is a scary and intimidating event. When it happens, a lot of people ask this question: “Who is responsible in case of fire damage in a rental property?" The answer is that both the renter and the landlord are responsible for different parts of the building and its contents. Let’s dig deeper into the details.

The Landlord’s Responsibilities:

The landlord is responsible for all structural damages caused by fire or other natural disasters that occur on their rental property like hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes. The tenant has full responsibility for their personal belongings and can file an insurance claim through their renter's insurance policy if they have one. If you need help understanding what your rights are during this stressful time, please feel free to reach out to us anytime (619) 280-2377. 

Structural Damage to The Property

If the tenant's negligence was to blame for the fire, they will likely have to bear all the costs associated with repairs. However, if there were no known causes of ignition or negligence on behalf of the tenant and/or their guests or visitors, then it’s possible that your landlord may be held responsible for some expenses related to repairs following a fire at their rental property.

The first step in determining who pays for fire damage in a rental property is figuring out whether your landlord’s policy covers structural damages—the damage caused by fire spread through walls and floors rather than just flames themselves. Most insurance policies cover this type of structural damage if it is caused by external factors (like lightning strikes). 

Personal Belongings

It’s important to know that renters’ insurance covers your belongings. If you rent an apartment and want to make sure your personal property is protected, it’s a good idea to invest in renters’ insurance.

This type of policy can be expensive, and landlords aren't required by law to ask tenants what kind of coverage they have. But it's still worth considering—especially if you're replacing expensive items like laptops or jewelry.

You can buy renters insurance online or through an independent broker who specializes in this type of coverage.

The tenant has full responsibility for their personal belongings. 

If you are a tenant, your insurance should cover damage to your personal belongings. This is an optional service that is usually very inexpensive, and it is a good investment if you want to avoid paying out of pocket for damages.

Even if the landlord has insurance on the property, they are not responsible for damage to your personal belongings unless there was negligence involved (for example: someone else caused the fire at the house). In this case, the landlord's insurance will take care of anything that happened during their time of ownership and responsibility over the property. However, if there was no negligence involved in causing damage to one's personal possessions then tenants have full responsibility for their own things through their renters' policy or homeowners' policy with an endorsement stating content coverage while away from home.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is that both the tenant and landlord are responsible for certain parts of the building and its contents. If you need help understanding your responsibilities, contact us today!

4 Ways to Minimize Business Interruption Claims

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in Brunswick, ME

Below Are Five Ways To Ensure Your Business Is Ready For Anything

For any business in Brunswick, ME, business interruption insurance is vital for navigating an unexpected event that requires temporarily closing down. If a broken pipe creates extensive flooding, most policies will help cover lost income, mortgage or rent payments, taxes, payroll and other potential expenses. While no one can eliminate overwhelming events from happening, being prepared provides a better chance at getting back up on your feet faster. 

1. Research Potential Risks

Understanding the highest risks your business may face is essential. Identifying and categorizing them on what may be preventable and what may not is essential. While weather-related risks may be unavoidable, knowing flood or storm risks makes it easier to set up mitigation measures to minimize losses.

2. Know the Cost

After the risks are identified and ranked, their potential impact should be calculated. Each item that is listed should be broken down to include the impact of lost income, added expenses, potential fines or penalties, and how it will delay business.

3. Minimize Hazards
Once potential hazards are known, the easier it is to determine ways to prevent, deter or mitigate them from happening. If flooding is a high risk, mitigation may be mean prepping the business with sandbags or other measures.

4. Create a Plan

A plan of action and communication plan are needed to ensure proper steps are taken and everyone is aware of what needs to happen in a loss situation. From safety and evacuation protocols to properly securing data offsite and communicating downtime to customers, having these elements already established is essential for a swifter recovery.
If flooding causes large water damage, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Being prepared and planning for anything can provide peace of mind while the water damage and restoration experts get your business back to “Like it never even happened.”

Why Tarps Are Necessary After Fire Damage

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

Four Reasons To Use Tarps

Commercial property fires often result in significant damages despite having fire prevention systems in place. Often, damage accumulates on the roof because of rescue techniques implemented on the scene. While many fire cleanup companies in Brunswick, ME, provide roof repair services, as an owner-operator, you need to mitigate your losses before the repair. There are at least four reasons to use tarps if your roof experiences damages.

1. Weather
2. Animal
3. Vagrants
4. Liability
   
   

Weather
Most restoration companies offer tarp services for immediate mitigation. Weather is one of the leading reasons for using tarps on your roof, especially for large holes. Tarps are less expensive than plywood and can cover larger areas. These plastic sheets create a barrier between outdoor elements, such as rain, keeping the inside of your property dry.

Animals
While the cleanup may remove all debris from the fire, if you do not block holes, your property is vulnerable to wildlife. Birds may nest in your rafters. Squirrels may burrow into your insulation. Tarps can add protection against invasive animals looking for warmth or shelter. The last thing you need is a pest problem.

Vagrants
Tarps and plywood are the standards for sealing off a property after a fire. Renovation specialists use these materials to protect against natural elements, but they also help deter vagrants and other intruders from setting up camp in your building. You may also want to consider temporary fencing as an added deterrent.

Liability
After any disaster, you may need to notify your insurer to file a claim. The claim is an official document specifying the resulting damage from the fire, which is an important distinction. Any loss occurring after the fire, you are likely responsible for, meaning there is possibly a need for mitigation after a fire.

If you are amid a fire cleanup, consider securing your property against further damage. Talk to a restoration specialist and your insurer to ask about tarps and other mitigation standards.

What You Should Know About Landlord Insurance

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke damage in Topsham, ME.

What to Expect During the Fire Restoration Process

Smoke damage is one of the most frequent insurance claims in Topsham, ME. Soot and smoke seek out every nook and cranny, often leaving a toxic residue that can fry electronics and smell terrible.

Fortunately, in most cases, commercial insurance covers smoke cleaning, restoration and replacement. There are some exceptions, so knowing what is and isn’t covered can avoid denied claims and premium increases.

What Can You Do To Increase Your Chances of Being Covered?

First off, have your policy in a safe place and make sure you read it. Make notes of any questions you have and ask your agent. Remember – you’re the customer here. If they won’t answer your questions, find a company that will.
There are a few other steps to take, including:

• File your claim as soon as possible.
• Document everything and take pictures.
• Don’t discard damaged items.
  
  

When Is Smoke Damage Covered?
While it varies between policies, all fire damage insurance policies should cover everything damaged by smoke from any covered fire. Where there’s fire, there’s smoke, so it’s a covered peril.

When Isn’t It Covered?
If the damage doesn’t exceed your deductible, it won’t be covered. Therefore, it’s best to consult with a smoke and soot damage restoration expert in Topsham, ME. They can help you avoid making a claim that’s likely to be denied and can save you thousands of dollars using an ecologically friendly policy of restoration over replacement.
Another instance where smoke and fire damage isn’t covered is in some cases of arson. If the insurance policyholder is in any way found to be responsible for, or have prior knowledge of, the fire, no damage will be covered by your policy.

What if the Smoke Is From an Off-Property Fire?
Most insurance policies make no distinction about the source of the smoke. If a business next door to you has a fire and the smoke causes damage exceeding your deductible, you should be covered.
Put simply, if the fire is covered by insurance, the smoke damage will be. The sooner it’s cleaned, the faster you can resume normal operations.

3 Strategies That Could Stop a Business Fire

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Three Strategies For Putting Out A Business Fire

Business owners and managers in Bath, ME, should spend at least some time, energy and money on fire prevention strategies. The payoff can be quite large, especially if a potentially damaging fire is stopped or minimized. A couple of strategies can be implemented without high costs and the third option is among the most effective methods a company can use to stop a business fire.

1. Educate Employees

A company should make sure workers know how to use and locate safety equipment such as fire alarms and fire extinguishers. A designated safety officer can take the lead on fire-related issues, from determining the best types of extinguishers to buy for reducing fire damage to organizing fire safety training for all personnel. At the minimum, employees should know who to call in case of a fire, where to evacuate for safety and how to contact a local fire restoration company for professional fire cleanup.

2. Develop a Sound Fire Prevention Plan

Companies often have a legal responsibility to prepare and print a plan to limit fires. OSHA regulations require a written plan to be in place (and available to employees) in any business with more than 10 employees. The plan should cover critical information such as a list of all fuel hazards on site, potential ignition sources and their control, the names and duties of key safety personnel and the maintenance plan for all critical fire safety equipment.

3. Install a Sprinkler System

While installing automatic fire sprinklers in a facility is not cheap, it can quickly stop a fire before it gets out of control. Sprinklers have the capacity to extinguish fires even when no one is present in the building, turning a potentially catastrophic situation into a manageable one.

Fire prevention is vital to the success of a business. Each company should consider the best methods for its unique situation.

Why Fast Commercial Building Recovery Is Critical

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the equipment and expertise to handle damage of all sizes. When your business suffers any damage, give us a call!

Why Is Quick Commercial Building Recovery Necessary?

When dealing with devastating damage to your commercial building in Bath, ME, speed is essential to the recovery process. Extensive damage can happen quickly, so finding a restoration service that has 24 hour assistance is critical. SERVPRO is the restoration service recommended by most insurance companies because of the quick response and the expert service provided.

SERVPRO Is There When You Need Help

A fast response is essential to reduce the risk of serious damage to your property. The longer you wait to seek help, the damage becomes more severe. Examples of the types of damage include:

Immediately - Water spreads fast and saturates carpeting and furniture. It is also absorbed quickly into the drywall.

Within a 24 hour period - Metal surfaces and furnishings start to tarnish. In addition, drywall and furniture begin swelling and cracking. An unpleasant odor begins to permeate the air as well.

In the first week - Metal begins to rust, paint starts to blister and mold starts growing throughout the facility.

After a week’s time, restoration will take more time and be more costly. You will also face a greater risk of sustaining serious structural problems and mold growth.

SERVPRO franchises are available all over the country, and they are always open to serve you. Since each is locally owned and operated, there is never a franchise too far away. With corporate resources always available, you will also get the technical help you need.

SERVPRO Helps You Recover Faster

When you call a SERVPRO franchise, a professional will be dispatched to your facility quickly. They thoroughly assess the situation and help you develop a comprehensive plan to remove the damage and renovate your building and property.

Industrial vacuums and pumps first remove the water, and then all surfaces are dried with dehumidifiers and air blowers. Once the entire area and all structures are cleaned and sanitized, renovations can begin.

Trust your renovations with the 24 hour service available from SERVPRO professionals.

How To Prevent an Out-of-Control Mold Infestation

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready for your call. We have specialized equipment and a dedicated team of professionals to restore your business from mold damage.

How To Avoid An Out-Of-Hand Mold Infestation

As a commercial property owner or manager, you have many jobs to juggle. This includes limiting or fixing damage to the premises. Mold is a particularly common cause of harm in commercial buildings. The invisible spores can spread through the air and grow on organic surfaces. While mold removal services are available, you can save money by stopping the mold infestation before it starts. Here are some ways to prevent a mold problem from getting out of control.

1. Decrease Moisture

Mold grows quickly in dark and wet areas. You should thus limit the amount of moisture in the air. You can do this by installing fans and dehumidifiers throughout the property

2. Keep the HVAC System Clean

Mold often hides in the vents of your building. The spores can then spread into the air whenever you turn on your heater or air conditioner. To prevent this, clean the HVAC system regularly. If you do suspect that the spores have gotten into the vents, call mold removal experts.

3. Know the Signs

To prevent a mold problem from getting out of hand, you need to spot the spores when they first start to grow. Hold regular inspections and focus on wet areas such as crawl spaces and basements. Musty smells and fuzzy stains could be evidence of a mold issue.

Of course, finding the mold is only the first step. Once you suspect that the fungus is starting to grow, contact local commercial mold cleanup professionals. They will be able to remove the mold safely.

Because mold grows quickly, what appears to be a small patch of the fungus can quickly spread throughout your building. To prevent the need for mold removal services, you should keep your Brunswick, ME, property dry and clean the vents. If you do find signs of mold on the premises, contact mold remediation specialists who can quickly address the issue.