Amount of Homeowner's Insurance One Should Purchase
As a starting point, most lenders will require that a homebuyer purchase homeowner's insurance coverage with a limit equal to at least 80 percent of the cost of rebuilding the home. While homeowners might want to purchase additional coverage, the most important task in determining the appropriate policy limit is to calculate the cost to replace or repair the home and belongings inside the home.
Contractor Fraud Following a Natural Disaster
When a major disaster occurs like a hurricane, contractor and home repair scams sprout up because contractor services are in high demand. These scams can harm a homeowner in a variety of ways that include substandard repairs and work that is not covered by insurance. Some steps policyholders can take to avoid homeowner scams include:
- Searching for a Contractor: If you know other homeowners who have had similar work performed, a personal referral is a much better way to select a contractor than using advertising. When you rely on a personal referral, you have the comfort of knowing the contractor has performed satisfactory work for others. People that cannot obtain a personal referral might want to perform some due diligence online regarding feedback and reviews. If a contractor comes to your door or contacts you directly, you should be especially cautious.
- State Licensing: The contractor should be licensed by the state to prevent exploitation with substandard work. A quick check with the state licensing board can confirm that a potential contractor is licensed and in good standing.
- Multiple Estimates: When considering potential contractors, you should always get several estimates. The high level of demand following a natural disaster can lead certain contractors to charge exorbitant fees. If you have proposals from multiple contractors, this allows you to evaluate the fairness of potential pricing.
Homeowner's Insurance & Termite Damage
A type of property damage often overlooked by many homeowners involves infestation of pests like rodents and termites. This oversight might be based on a belief that such damage is covered or that only minor damage can be caused by this type of infestation. In reality, termites and other vermin can render a home unlivable and/or create the need for costly structural repairs.
Damage caused by termites and other pests generally will not be covered by a basic homeowner's policy. Separate termite coverage needs to be purchased to protect from damage caused by infestation from vermin.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at[email protected].
