Residents of Puerto Rico Reminded of Indoor Environmental Issues Associated with Property Damage Claims

Commercial and residential property insurance is important for protecting what is for many people is their biggest asset, their home or business.  Although a standard homeowner’s insurance policy typically covers the home and personal property, most have a number of exclusions.  These may include damage caused by natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.
 
In Puerto Rico, hurricanes, tropical storms and flooding can be an all too common occurrence. It’s important for property owners to understand their coverage and obtain additional insurance if necessary to mitigate these risks. 
 
While no one ever hopes to have to file a property damage claim, statistics show that as recently as 2013, over 4% of insured homes in the United States filed a claim that year.  Some of the most common property damage claims revolve around water, fire, wind and storm damage. Although damage is often quite evident, these events can also create potential indoor environmental hazards that many property owners may not readily recognize.  These could be due to the actual damage or the result of cleanup, demolition and repair activities.  A partial list of these potential indoor environmental hazards include the following:

• Smoke & Soot Residues
• Mold, Bacteria & Viruses
• Chemical Contaminants
• Asbestos & Lead Dust
• Leaking Gas Lines & Carbon Monoxide

 
“For anyone faced with a property damage claim to their home or business, there are steps that should be taken,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Promptly notify the insurance company and make a detailed inventory of any damages.  Be on the lookout for both visible and hidden damages along with indoor environmental contaminants caused by the event that might be overlooked by the insurance adjuster.”
 
Policyholders in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean can turn to Zimmetry’s building science and indoor environmental quality professionals for help. They offer testing and inspection services to identify water damage, mold, asbestos, lead-based paints, smoke and soot residues, and a wide range of other indoor contaminants and air quality issues that often go unnoticed. Having a detailed understanding of what is present can be essential for negotiating the property damage claim and safely returning the property back to pre-damaged conditions.
 
Zimmetry also recently sponsored a video about property damage claims and indoor environmental concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/bAXyVtpfPaQ
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail