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Latent Defects 10th July 2018

Subsidence

Subsidence is the slow gradual sinking of a section of property and land. Properties move naturally at very minute speeds, so normal movement is not noticeable. Subsidence, however, is a quicker moving of ground in a downward projection. A shift in property foundations causes negative effects from cracking of wall plaster to more severe issues such as loss of structural integrity.

Causes

Subsidence has a few main causes some of which cannot be avoided. The age of the property is the main cause due to the craftsmanship and materials used during its construction. Properties built before 1965 were constructed with shallow foundations in comparison to modern foundations. Newer properties built can also incorporate modern more durable materials.

Weather

The weather is a very common catalyst for property subsidence. Areas that get consistent dry weather, as well as areas that are having a long dry spell, are more susceptible to subsidence. This is because dry climates cause the soil to shrink, if this occurs under a property it can significantly impact the properties foundation and potentially move the foundation.

Poor Construction

Just like many latent defects poor construction of the property causes negative effects in the long run. Poor workmanship on all factors of the house such as quality of materials to overall structural stability can contribute to subsidence. Poor quality materials such as weak concrete and rotting wood reduce the stability of the home. Weak materials result in not only a weaker structure but also a structure more susceptible to subsidence.

Tree Damage

When looking for properties many people do not look at the proximity of a tree to the property. However, the proximity of trees to any property can help contribute.

The root structure of trees means they spread around the base of the tree and proceed outwards. This means that if a tree is near to your property it could be damaging your foundation. The roots damage the foundation by embedding themselves. These roots allow more moisture and dirt to build up within the foundation. The moisture weakens the foundation at a slow but noticeable pace. Damage or wear caused by an event to a properties foundation increase the chance of subsidence occurring.

Effects of Subsidence

Subsidence has a variety of effects on a structure from small issues such as ripple of wallpaper to extremes such as cracked windows. Some of these issues are relatively minor in comparison to others.

This latent defect can cause cracks in interior and exterior walls that are both visually unappealing as well as weakening structural integrity. Door and window frames can become slightly warped due to the moving foundation. This causes them to ‘stick’ making them harder to use on a day to day basis.

Extreme cases occur if foundations are either extremely shallow or the material used to construct is sub-par. Long resting subsidence can result in many serious issues. An example is that both window frames and panes can crack making them both unsafe to be near additionally less effective as insulation.

I sourced a large amount of my information from this URL, https://www.propertydefects.co.uk/spotting-signs-of-subsidence/ feel free to check it out for a more in-depth look into subsidence.… Read More

Property News 21st June 2018

Fire Restoration and Fire Damage Claims Help

The Facts:

In 2017 fire response teams were called to over 160,000 fire incidents. With domestic properties making up roughly 60% of those fires. Fire damage can make a house inhabitable forcing you to find separate housing until restoration is complete so efficient Fire Restoration is vital.

From worrying about costs of repairs to possible secondary housing costs there are many factors in fire damage and restoration. While most damage will be easy to detect, some unforeseen damages could be the real financial drain.

Water damage from extinguishing fires can wreak havoc on interior electrical systems as well as contribute to structural damage. Repairing electrical systems is an expensive situation that requires expert electricians adding more costs on to the restoration. These hidden damages need to be detailed on the first inspection or risk not being accounted for in an insurance claim.

Fire Restoration

MMS Contracting offer a complete and extensive fire restoration and insurance claims management service. We manage the entire process from insurance claim to recommending specialist builders for your restoration services, so you don’t have to worry.

When a fire occurs insurance companies usually send a loss adjuster and then a surveyor to assess the damage. Building companies may then be invited to submit a tender with the expectation of potentially being appointed to take on the fire restoration work. Local builders may not have the experience with fire damage repair. When you choose MMS Contracting an expert specialist is sent to assess the damage. These specialists may then recommend a competent building company. The loss adjuster will ensure that every detail of damage is discovered to ensure a comprehensive claim is settled.

We Work for You

By appointing independent loss adjusters, such as ourselves, you can rest assured that we work solely for the policy holder. Insurance companies usually send their own Loss Adjuster who has the company’s best interests at heart.

Public Loss Adjusters however have your best interest at heart. If you rely on your insurers appointed loss adjuster how would you know that any offer is correct if you are not a building expert? This is why Public Loss Adjusters will always recommend that you get a second independent opinion from someone who is not being employed by your insurer. Public Loss Adjusters ensure that the settlement reached perfectly acceptable within range of the amount that you are entitled to and to cover the costs of any loss and fire restoration work.

Our Free Loss Adjusting Service

Working with Public Loss Adjusters, the will ensure the management of your whole fire insurance claim process. Public Loss Adjusters usually charge a 10% fee (plus vat) of the final settlement figure for our services. However Public Loss Adjusters offer our services completely for free if you hire one of our specialist fire restoration contractors.

Do you need insurance claims management assistance after a fire or flood has damaged your property?

Loss Adjusters or Loss Assessors? What is the Difference?

What is a Loss Adjuster?

Loss adjusters are usually employed by an insurance companies and are sent out to assess any losses that their clients have incurred. A loss adjusters job is to report back to the insurer with recommendations as to what they consider the policy holder should be entitled to in order to settle their insurance claim.

Many loss adjusters who work for the insurance company are not regulated by a higher authority such as The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA). As they are employed by or are working on behalf of your insurer, how would the policy holder be able to tell if any settlement offered would be the fair or the correct amount?

The truth is you probably wouldn’t! Most insurance companies will even ask you to phone around a couple of builders to get a building repair estimate for your property. Don’t you pay for your insurance policy annually in the expectation that they will look after you in your time of need?

We all hope that this is the case but at the same time you have to consider that your insurance company is a business and it would not exist if it wasn’t making money.

What are Loss Assessors?

A loss assessor is generally appointed by the policy holder instead of the insurance company and works in a similar way to a loss adjuster. The main difference is that they are employed to look after the interests of their client, the person who has informed their insurer that they have a claim.

Just like loss adjusters who work for the insurer, loss assessors who work for the public also do not need to be regulated by a higher authority.

So, what do you do when you are in the unfortunate position of having to submit a property claim? Do you put your trust in your insurance company in the hope that they will see you right?

Introducing Public Loss Adjusters

What if there was an insurance claims management company who were members of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters and were also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority? A company that could manage your insurance claim from the point of contact right through to the settlement of your claim or even until your property is restored to its pre-loss condition.

What if there was a company who would be willing to go the extra mile by appointing independent surveyors to assess the full extent of the damage? A company that would take over all negotiations with your insurer on your behalf.

Would you like a company who can recommend experienced builders who repair properties that have suffered the type of loss that yours has on a regular basis? Finally, would you like an independent loss adjusting company who will work tirelessly on your behalf, covering every aspect of your claim to ensure that you receive your full entitlement?

Introducing Public Loss Adjusters, a company whose motto is “Don’t Settle for Less”. They are a group of independent loss adjusters who only work on behalf of the public. Their two head loss adjusters have a combined experience of over 65 years between them. If you have a new or an ongoing insurance claim that is taking a long time to settle, maybe you should consider taking advantage of the services that Public Loss Adjusters offer.

Insurance Claims Management May Be More Complex Than You Think!

Before deciding whether or not to employ an insurance claims management company you would probably of have conducted a bit of research as to whether it would be to your advantage or not. You most probably would have come across forums where people ask why not just manage the claim yourself?

The truth of the matter is that managing an insurance claim can be far more complex than you may think. Let’s just say you have had a fire and you go about obtaining a couple of builder’s quotes to submit to your insurer. Will your local builder be able to identify the full extent of the damage?

What about the water damage that has been caused by putting the fire out? There may be even more hidden damage on top of the visible damage that may not be identifiable until the property is stripped out.

Will you be able to go back to your insurer to renegotiate because it is going to cost more to repair that my builder originally quoted? Don’t you think you may need a more experienced professional who will be able to identify the full cost of repairs?… Read More