FAQ
Q: What are your hours of operation?
A: We are here for you 24/7—365 days a year. If you need help, call us at 1-888-ABLE-911 anytime.
Q: How do you get paid?
A: We will bill the insurance company directly at the insured’s request. We don’t require payment from the insured at the time of the emergency—you have enough to worry about.
Q: Will you help me report the claim?
A: Our staff is professionally trained and highly experienced working with insurance companies and insurance company adjusters. We can assist you in handling and reporting the claim and will walk you through the step-by-step claims process.
Q: How important is it to dry the structure after a fire?
A: Extremely. Even if the interior of a structure is going to be gutted, the water used by the Fire Department will have saturated the framing and flooring. Left wet, the chance of mold growth is very likely. Your insurance policy covers the drying of the structure after a fire so take advantage of it. Don’t and there may be no coverage or limited coverage to cover mold remediation.
Q: What are molds?
A: With more than 100,000 species in the world, it is no wonder molds can be found everywhere. Molds are microscopic organisms that produce enzymes to digest organic matter and spores to reproduce. These organisms are part of the fungi kingdom, a realm shared with mushrooms, yeast, and mildews. In nature, mold plays a key role in the decomposition of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without mold, we would find ourselves wading neck-deep in dead plant matter. And we wouldn't have great foods and medicines, such as cheese and penicillin. However, problems arise when mold starts digesting organic materials, like our homes.
Q: How do molds grow in my home?
A: Once mold spores settle in your home, they need moisture to begin digesting whatever they are growing on. There are molds that can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paint, carpet, sheet rock and insulation. Excess moisture or water build-up from a leaky roof, high humidity or flooding create ideal growing conditions for molds. Realistically, there is no way to rid all mold and mold spores from your home; the way to control mold growth is to control moisture.
Q: How do I know if I have a mold problem?
A: You may have seen white thread-like growths or clusters of small black specks along your damp bathroom or basement walls or smelled a "musty" odor. However, you cannot always rely upon your senses to locate molds. Hidden mold can be growing behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles. Common places to find mold are in areas where water has damaged building materials and furnishings from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements are havens for mold. If you notice mold or know of water-damaged areas in your home, it is time to take action to control its growth.
Q: Should I board-up and secure my property immediately after a loss?
A: YES. Most insurance company policies require the Policy Holder to “use all reasonable means to save and preserve property at/and after the time of a loss.”
Q: What is the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine?
A: As most experienced fire professionals know, children frequently stray onto fire scenes after a fire. The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine states: If a property is both inviting and dangerous, the owner has a legal responsibility to make a reasonable attempt to prevent injuries to children who may wander onto the property.
The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine imposes upon the owner the duty to secure property to either of the following standards:
Taking precautions that are deemed “reasonable” in light of the normal behavior of young children—a much higher degree of care then required towards adults.
Exhibiting the same level of care as owed to “invitees”—a higher standard than required toward the uninvited, casual visitors, also referred to as licensees.
