How Pretesting Helps To Lower Insurance Claims

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

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Having a solid property insurance policy is essential for any property or business owner. Managing the claims process well is one factor in keeping premiums affordable. When a building in Layton, UT, is damaged, it makes sense to call certified restoration experts so that the mitigation process can begin as soon as possible. The best teams, however, start with pretesting. A little extra attention at the beginning of cleanup can make a world of difference when it comes to filing accurate insurance claims.

Identify Contamination Level

Any time there is water damage in a commercial building, a preliminary inspection helps technicians determine the extent of the issue. First, they identify the source of the water. Even if the leak is from a clean source, however, it is prudent to test for the contamination level:

• Category 1 - Clean water from pipe or supply line
• Category 2 - Gray water from machine or appliance runoff
• Category 3 - Contaminated water from a storm or the sewer

The initial source may put out clean water, but excess moisture can easily become contaminated before the cleanup crew gets to it. For example, a leak may start with a malfunctioning faucet but pick up dirt and other debris as it seeps through walls and flooring. Knowing this information at the beginning of the process is crucial for creating an accurate claim.

Reveal Additional Issues Through Inspection

Another way that pretesting helps to lower claims is by showing the scope of the problem during the inspection. Any additional issues that are discovered can be repaired before they cause secondary damage. For example, a busted pipe may be the cause of the current emergency, but when technicians discover weaknesses in the pipes around it during their assessment, they can make recommendations for preventative repairs.

The building owner can go ahead and have those issues repaired so that they don't cause water damage later, which saves him or her from having to file another insurance claim.

Inform Future Prevention Strategies

A maintenance problem that leads to water damage is not exactly good news, but it can be informative, particularly when it comes to prevention. Once strategies are implemented and the cause of the water loss is thwarted, the number of claims the client files should be reduced dramatically. Prevention can include actions such as adding insulation to pipes along external walls or replacing worn-out plumbing.

Business owners should talk to their insurance agent to understand the maintenance responsibilities the provider expects clients to uphold under specific policies.

When a building sustains water damage, it is understandable for business owners to want to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but thorough remediation starts with pretesting. A solid assessment helps technicians properly diagnose the problem and create a clear plan of action. It is also vital for compiling an accurate task list for the itemized estimate. Such an investigation can even prevent the problem from happening again in the future. Inspections and other tests at the beginning of the cleanup process reduce insurance claims in the long run.