Restoration Company Stresses Importance of Insurance During the Rainy Season

With the rainy season here, flooding is a regular problem in the Chicagoland area. According to Floodsmart.gov, in 2014, Illinois was one of the top ten states with flood claims in the nation.

In 2016, Homeadvisor.com users reported that their Chicagoland water damage losses averaged between $1,000 - $3,500 and some resulted in up to $5,600 in damage. For an average homeowner this could be a huge financial loss without the proper coverage.

Source: http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/disaster-recovery/repair-water-damage/

Many homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood waters or sewer back-ups in homes. How water enters the home will help determine if the loss is covered or not. From heavy rainstorms, which are most common in early spring, to sump pump or sewer back-ups, water damage can cost homeowners thousands in repairs. According to John Gurtler, President of Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs, many homeowners find out the hard way that they have no insurance coverage available for their type of water damage loss. This puts undue stress on homeowners that can be avoided by simply talking to their insurance agent to make sure they’re properly insured.

Floods are dangerous and can lead to health problems to homeowners if the proper steps are not performed.

“Rainbow International has been working with victims of property damage for over 35 years. We understand that there are different kinds of water losses and no two jobs are the same,” Gurtler said. “It is important to know if flood insurance and water back up coverage is right for you. Without these additional coverage's, the homeowner has a greater financial risk that’s not worth taking."

“Without additional coverage, one spring rainstorm could be detrimental to a family’s financial status and could cost thousands of dollars that is avoidable with the proper insurance coverage for your home,” said Niki Ramirez, Rainbow’s Business Development Manager.

Rainbow International works with a wide array of insurance carriers and has long standing relationships with local Chicagoland insurance agents. Additional insurance coverage's that are recommended by your insurance agent are offered for a reason and that reason is to protect you. Many people under estimate the importance of accurate homeowners’ insurance and focus solely on price when choosing to decline additional coverage's. The importance of coverage doesn't fully sink in for a homeowner until it comes time to file a claim. It is at this time they wish they gave second thought the flood insurance and water back up coverage that was offered.

Consumers often have sticker shock when they hear what the out of pocket cost is to clean up their water loss. Professional restoration companies that are certified by the IICRC are specifically trained to handle these types of losses. Thorough and extensive training accompanied by professional equipment is what sets restorations companies apart from other general contractors. Their service fees are going to exceed what Bob the handy man will charge. Consumers often feel they can get a cheaper deal if they rent equipment from a hardware store and turn to their local handy man for assistance. The misfortune is that people end up spending more money in the long run because they have to address their loss twice. Many consumers that perform a self-clean up end up turning to a restoration professional to come back and address their loss after they see it wasn't cleaned up right the first time. Performing a self-clean can create further damage. Water hides in places that are not visible to the naked eye and eventually turns into a nasty mold problem that is now a health concern.

The cost of additional water damage coverage typically ends up being a smaller addition to an insurance premium verses the out of pocket expense you end up paying all at once for water damage cleanup. Do you have $1,039-$5,697 in emergency funds in case a water loss occurs? This is what Chicagoland residents reported to Homeadvisor.com as their average cost for cleanup. If you do not have this in reserve, then contact your local insurance agent for a policy review. Ask questions and examine loss scenarios to make sure that you are properly covered if a loss occurs.

For more information or for assistance with water damage contact Rainbow's emergency service line at 708-460-0911.

About Rainbow International®: Established in 1981, Rainbow International is a global franchise organization providing residential and commercial restoration and cleaning services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Rainbow International franchisees offer a broad range of damage restoration services (ranging from water, smoke and fire damage to cleaning and deodorization) to more than 400 locations worldwide.

Visit Rainbow's website at www.rainbowrestore.net and LIKE their Facebook for informational updates:https://www.facebook.com/Rainbow-International-of-South-West-Suburbs-211496272371049/.