insurance company

jalcoplumb_2

I was reading the post about the flooded boiler and it reminded me that we need to be aware of not only how to install, service and repair equipment we need to be aware of a lot more.

Besides having to be part lawyer, part accountant, part electrician, part carpenter, part engineer, part computer technician, we also have to be aware of allowances by insurance companies.

I have been informed that most insurance companies will pay for service/trip charges and will cover finding a leak. This includes labor and materials to open and close walls. They will not cover fixing of the leak.

They cover practically every thing (boilers, furnace, clothing, carpet, furniture…) but the actual repair of the broken item that caused the damage.

I always break the actual repair out of the bill for the customer. It usually is a miniscule amount compared to the rest of the damages they have to pay for.

The wording of the bill is very important. Even if the damage should be covered, the wrong wording in the bill can cause the insurance company not to pay. Then it starts the battle of proving that the contractor just worded the bill wrong. It is like your medical insurance company not paying a claim because the doctor put the wrong code on the bill.

I inform the customer to call the insurance company ASAP and consult them about their coverage. When the insurance company is not cooperative I suggest a private adjuster. I don’t recommend any; I just send them to the phone book.

Most of the insurance companies will give the customers a list of companies that they deal with that will do the entire clean up and repair job. This eliminates any out of pocket expense to the customer. The only thing they will have to pay is their deductible.

I have watched customers spend day’s and weeks trying to clean and repair the damage on their own to try to save a buck or a claim. What us your time and safety worth?

For years I didn’t know any of this and was probably doing a disservice to my customers.

I hope this helps some of you.

Joe Landree
J.A.L. Co. Plumbing & Heating

jim lockard

Insured

My answer to any customer suffering a loss is to contact their Insurance Carrier 1st. Best Wishes J.Lockard