What Does Commercial Property Insurance Policy Cover?

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

The commercial property insurance policy covers fire damage to the building and its contents.

There are few things more devastating to a business owner than a fire that rips through the property. Not only are you dealing with the loss of your items, but you’re also out of business until everything is restored. If this is the situation you find yourself in, it’s important that you contact a fire damage restoration service as soon as possible.

What Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

The commercial property insurance policy covers fire damage to the building and its contents. It also covers water damage, theft, vandalism, and malicious mischief.

When you are looking at getting a commercial property insurance policy it is important to get the right coverage for your needs. Some things that you may want to investigate including:

• Structural coverage - this type of coverage will cover repairs needed due to damage from fire, windstorm or any other covered cause that affects your building structure (exterior walls).
• Contents coverage - this type of coverage will pay for losses caused by fire or lightning primarily if they occur inside the building but do not affect its structure (interior walls, ceilings etc.)

Learn about your coverage and how you can get the compensation you need to help get your business back on track.

If you have suffered fire damage, the first thing to do is contact your insurance company and ask them to send an adjuster to inspect the damage and give you a claim estimate. If your property is insured, they will assess the fire damage and determine whether it's covered by your policy.

If it turns out that the fire is covered by your policy, you'll need to file a claim with them. You may also have other options for getting compensation for any losses. In addition to filing a claim with your insurer, you can pursue some other avenues for recovering financial losses from fires:

• Insurance Adjusters - An insurance adjuster works for insurance companies whose job is often similar but not exactly identical as those belonging within law firms' tort departments.

There are few things more devastating to a business owner than a fire that rips through the property. 

If you own a commercial property, it’s important to understand the coverage that your insurance policy offers. We all know what fire can do to a property and business, but few realize how much of an impact this type of damage has on the owner’s wallet.

Here are some things to consider if you find yourself in this situation.

If this is the situation you find yourself in, it’s important that you contact a fire damage restoration service as soon as possible. You will need to have an estimate of the damage done to your property, and if possible, get some input from an insurance agent on how much they think they can cover.

In addition to making sure that your business can continue operations after a fire has damaged its office space, you also need to make sure that any data stored on computers or other electronic devices is backed up so it can be restored once repairs are completed. If it seems like things are going well and repairs are progressing smoothly, take time out of your busy schedule for some much-needed rest and relaxation—you deserve it!

Will Your Insurance Pay for Fire Damage?

Fire damage is one of the most common causes of property damage. If you're looking to make sure your commercial property insurance policy covers fire damage, it's important to remember that not all policies will cover this. Some insurance companies will pay for fire-related damages, while others won't.

If your insurance does cover fire damage, it's worth checking with your insurance company to see exactly what they'll pay for. An insurance company will often cover the cost of repairs after a fire breaks out at your business—but not necessarily loss of business or income during that time period as well. It's also important to understand whether any pre-existing conditions will affect their coverage: if there were preexisting issues with electrical wiring in your building before the fire started, some policies may exclude those types of damages from coverage (even though they were caused by an external force).

If you are looking for the right commercial property insurance to cover your business, call us today. We can help you find an option that works best for your needs and budget.

3 Tips To Prevent and Treat Water Damage Within a Business

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Cover your pipes with insulation to avoid water damage.

Ways To Prevent and Treat Water Issues

Having your commercial property consumed by water can disrupt business while repairs are made and can cause problems down the road if proper steps aren't taken. Here are three tips to help you both prevent and treat any water issues within your Jamaica Bay, NY, business.

1. Take Environmental Precautions
In some cases, water damage is preventable by taking into account weather patterns. For instance, extreme cold coupled with poor insulation can lead to broken pipes that create a mess throughout a building. Other environmental factors that could correlate with water issues include hail storms making roofs susceptible to leaks and major storms that produce flooding. Prepare your property as best you can for extreme weather.

2. Contact Water Damage Experts
Once you notice that water has infiltrated the property, immediately call a water cleanup and restoration company. These experts come highly trained and are best equipped to handle the cleanup process. The severity of damage may impact the restoration project's overall timeline, but the process always involves the same key components. Crews will extract excess water from the space, sanitize and dry out surfaces as well as lead the repair effort on damaged structures or items.

3. Perform Routine Maintenance 
Following the restoration of the building, keep up maintenance efforts to prevent the issue from happening again. If you experienced flooding from a plumbing issue, for example, be sure to routinely inspect all pipes and drains for issues. Be proactive about checking for all possible causes of water issues as damage can occur in a number of ways. This maintenance can range from checking the roof for wear and tear, testing the fire sprinkler system and changing toilet hoses every few years.
Taking appropriate action is the best way to prevent and treat water damage. Prepare the building for any environmental causes of water, contact experts if a problem occurs and perform routine maintenance to prevent future issues.  

3 Reasons To Own a SERVPRO Franchise

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial sanitation in Queens, NY.

Benefits Of Owning a SERVPRO Franchise

If you are looking for a franchise that is likely to be successful no matter what happens in the future, a disaster recovery franchise may be for you. SERVPRO is an industry leader in the restoration and remediation markets for both residential and commercial customers. With more than 1,900 franchises across the United States, SERVPRO knows how to train its franchisees and help them to succeed. There are several factors that make owning a SERVPRO franchise an excellent choice.

1. Ongoing Training and Support
Although every SERVPRO franchise is locally owned, all franchises operate similarly and provide the same basic services. SERVPRO recognizes that many people will not enter the business with the knowledge and skills necessary to know how to restore properties after a disaster. That is why SERVPRO offers a new owner training program and ongoing support at its headquarters in Gallatin, Tenessee. 

2. Certified Cleaning Program
Businesses in today's world need to evolve with the times. The covid pandemic has left people uneasy about the cleanliness of their environments. Many people have been afraid to go back into the office even after they were ordered to do so. SERVPRO has developed a cleaning process that is based on EPA and CDC protocols to destroy viral pathogens. This modern-day standard can help set your franchise ahead of the competition. 

3. Helping Your Community
As an expert in the field of professional restoration and remediation services, your community will look to you when disaster strikes. With SERVPRO's quick, 24-hour support, your customers will be helped as quickly as possible, before even more damage has a chance to set in. If you are the type of person who enjoys helping other people during difficult times, a restoration company in Queens, NY, may be ideal for you.
There are many benefits to owning a SERVPRO franchise. When looking for a new franchise, it is important to find a market you think you will enjoy with a company that provides excellent ongoing support. 

Preventing and Remediating Water Damage

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

Insulate pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting in cold weather.

Steps To Prevent Water Damage In Your Home

Dealing with water in a home is frustrating because it can lead to structural damage and mold growth. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this type of damage.

Prevent Water in Home
Although it is not always possible to prevent a broken pipe, there are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of this problem. Insulate pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting in cold weather. Inspect your plumbing system and repair or replace pipes that are showing signs of deterioration, such as:

• Flaking
  
• Discoloration
  
• Cracks
  
• Leaks
  
  

Homes older than 50 or 60 years are more likely to need a plumbing upgrade than newer structures.
To prevent water coming in from outside the home, make sure the basement is well-sealed. If your basement floods frequently, install a sump pump to remove excess water before it accumulates. Inspect the roof and repair leaks. Make sure windows and doors are watertight. Clean gutters and make sure downspouts are directed away from the home. Have your lawn graded so that water flows away from the foundation.

Cleanup Water in Home
Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent water damage. Hiring a certified restoration company can help you get your residence back to normal quickly and safely. If there is standing water in your home, extract it quickly. Mold growth can begin within 24 hours, and the longer an item is wet, the more likely it is to suffer structural damage. If you are cleaning up after a flood or other source of contaminated water, sanitize all affected areas. If you are dealing with clean water, such as during a pipe cleanup, you won’t have to worry about bacterial growth unless the water has been stagnant for at least a day.
Protecting your Queens, NY, home from primary and secondary water damage is key to maintaining the overall health of your home. Take steps to prevent water intrusion in the first place, and act quickly if you do experience a broken pipe or other issues.

4 Tips To Prevent Mold in Your Rental Home

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial mold growth in Flushing, NY.

Tips To Inhibit Mold Growth

Your rental home in Flushing, NY, is an important investment and source of income, so it makes sense to keep it in top shape year after year. Mold prevention is key to protect the building materials — both inside and out — from secondary water damage from excess moisture and humidity. The time and effort you put in now will save you from future headaches, expenses, and the potential loss of rental income.

Here are a few important tips to inhibit mold growth:

1. Measure the moisture levels inside the home with a digital hygrometer.
This inexpensive device should be set somewhere at least three feet off the ground in the area you want to measure. Though accurate readings can be determined in a few minutes, they can tell you the average humidity levels over the past 12 hours. Any reading above 60% is an indication that the area is wet somewhere and will warrant further investigation.

2. Run a dehumidifier in warm, rainy months and a humidifier in cold, dry months.
Your tenant will need to monitor them daily, adding or removing water as the need arises. It is also suggested that they turn off the water and lower their heat when not in use, though turning the heat off completely isn't recommended.

3. Assess the drainage around the building outdoors.
Make sure the ground isn’t sloped towards the foundation or that the downspouts aren’t pooling water beneath them. Regrading the landscape can be a quick fix or a much bigger project, but not addressing the problem will most likely lead to water damage.

4. Install and maintain household exhaust fans.
Each bathroom should be equipped with a working fan and kitchens should have an exhaust hood over the range. If your rental home has an attic, a fan will help regulate the temperature and humidity as well.

In most cases, mold prevention is an easy, low-cost way to protect your rental home and your tenants from the hassles and damage that excess moisture can cause. If you’ve discovered mold and need the help of a professional, call a mold remediation specialist in your area.

When the Bowl Runs Over

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody wants to deal with a gurgling toilet.

Sewage Damage In Your Business

The scene caused by an overflowing toilet is all too familiar to many Rosedale, NY, business owners. If you're reading this, you have probably stopped the flow coming from the flooded toilet. If not, commercial toilets usually have a shut-off valve that you can locate and use a screwdriver to activate. If you can't find it, a sewage company should be able to stop the water easily. Act quickly, because this kind of sewer damage can cause:

• Health effects
• Facility water damage
• Lingering bad smell
• Secondary damage
  
  

Immediate Action

Your first step should be identifying the problem. Most situations involving sewer damage are far from pretty, but some are worse than others. If there's a presence of feces, for example, you should take extra care if attempting cleanup. If you aren't going to handle the problem yourself, you should ideally rope off the whole bathroom until help arrives.

Secondary Steps

After you determine the nature of the issue and take protective measures, it's time for cleanup to be performed. It's also important to make sure the area is completely sanitized and dry during this stage to prevent issues later on from lingering pathogens or high humidity.

Other Causes

Sometimes, damage outside of your facility can cause backflow that pushes material back through the lines. While this is less common cause of flooding than a clogged toilet or broken fixture, it does happen. Contact your utility company in cases like this as soon as possible. They are likely to have specific advice for Rosedale, NY, businesses in your situation.

Nobody wants to deal with a gurgling toilet, but this problem is an unfortunate fact of doing business. Sewer damage might come from inside or out of your building, but either cause needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. It's a good idea to prevent long-term issues and potential liability by dealing with all water issues decisively.