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Parent and child outside of the house in the rain

6 Tips to Plan Ahead for Spring Storms

Posted on April 18, 2022

“April showers bring May flowers.” It’s certainly undeniable that this time of year brings with it a lot of rainstorms. These storms can wreak havoc on our homes, causing a lot of property damage. But while we can’t change the weather, we can better prepare for it. Here are 6 tips to plan ahead for Spring storms.

1. Clean out your gutters.

When it rains, water falls onto your roof before emptying to the ground via your gutters. However, when your gutters are filled with branches, leaves, and other debris, they can clog them and back up water on your roof. When this occurs your roof is much likelier to experience damage. Your gutters should also be tightly affixed to your roof so that winds from a storm will not rip them away.

2. Inspect your Roof

Speaking of your gutters and accumulated water, it’s important that you check your roof in the springtime to make sure that the winter has in no way weakened it. With heavy rain and strong winds, a weak roof can prove disastrous.

3. Ensure that no tree branches are hanging over your roof.

If you have trees hanging over your roof, a storm may cause any limbs that hang over your roof to fall, damaging glass, or parts of your roof, among other damages. Since strong winds can pick things up off the ground and toss them into the air, it’s important you also make sure that you keep your property free from loose or broken branches.

4. Caulk Windows & Doors

You should check to ensure that all of your doors and windows are without gaps or cracks. If you have any of these gaps or cracks, strong storms can cause larger fractures and subsequent damage to your home. Therefore, if you find any gaps or cracks you should seal them with caulk. This helps to prevent leaks and water damage.

5. Check Your Sump Pump

A sump pump is a mechanism that helps to remove water from your property. If your home has a sump pump you should check to make sure that it is properly operating. If it fails to work correctly, it can allow water to flood your home, causing damage.

6. Review Insurance Coverage

Be sure to review your insurance coverage with your insurance agent in order to understand what is covered – and what isn’t. You should likely purchase flood insurance, which is separate from your standard policy. Since it generally takes 30 days for your flood insurance to become active, it’s important that you purchase it as soon as possible.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Property Insurance Claims

Property damage claims can be very overwhelming – especially when you’re not familiar with exactly how they work. That’s why consulting with a knowledgeable and experienced property insurance attorney can help.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island Property Insurance lawyers work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. We have deep experience working with insurance companies and understand how to deal with them. If you plan on filing a claim or have done so and been denied, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

New Sensors May Help to Prevent Water Damage

Posted on April 12, 2022

While your insurance adjuster can come in really handy after a flood, wouldn’t it be even better if you could prevent just about all of the damage before it occurs? That may just be a new reality for many.

There are now leak sensors that are deployed at residential, commercial, and institutional properties. These sensors may soon become standard with insurance policies for the major impact that they make.

Chubb Continues to See Importance of Detectors

The insurance company, Chubb, dove head-first into this new technology, employing thousands of leak sensors around the U.S. Chubb has noted that non-weather-related water damage is one of the biggest sources of losses within the insurance company. But after just two years of leaning on this new technology, Chubb has already seen a number of instances in which it has proven extraordinarily beneficial, preventing millions of dollars’ worth of property loss.

For instance, at Providence College, a washing machine supply line on one of the upper floors of a residential hall started leaking one night shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With most students and faculty working from home, there weren’t many people around to detect the leak. Had the leak continued, it likely would have caused severe damage throughout the residence, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. But with the leak detectors, a service center sent out a text, email, and phone call and a worker was notified and able to shut off the pipe, avoiding further damage.

Leak Sensors Help When No One is Around

Leak sensors will prove invaluable for the times when no one is there to detect a leak. This may be something as basic as someone out for the day or a family going on vacation.

Chubb isn’t the only insurance company leaning into leak sensors. Everyone from startup property insurers to major insurance companies have already started using them. However, Chubb has also begun to install leak sensors below roof decks in commercial buildings, since damaged roofs often cause a lot of damage after water leaks through. It should be interesting to see who follows suit.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Property Insurance Claims

Rhode Island Condo Association Manager Charged with Fraud

Posted on March 19, 2022

The job of a condo association and its board members is extremely important. After all, they are entrusted with a lot of money, which they are expected to use properly. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Gambling with Other People’s Money

Cheryl Sullivan, the chair of Dedham’s Board of Assessors, was recently arrested on federal fraud charges after she allegedly used a debit card intended for use with managing a condominium complex at Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts.

Sullivan was working for a Rhode Island condo owners’ association, taking money from residents that should have been used to maintain the building complex. Instead, she used it to gamble, allegedly having stolen as much as $46,500 from condo owners over many months back in 2019. Sullivan misused the funds from the condo owners’ association at the casino on at least five occasions.

Charged with Five Counts of Wire Fraud

Sullivan appeared in the United States District Court in Providence and was charged with five counts of wire fraud. Sullivan began her position on the board of assessors back in 2018, hired by the River Island Condominium Association. Her initial responsibility was to manage condos located at 148 Bernon Street in Woonsocket. In 2021 she was reelected and chosen as a board chair.

Sullivan was supposed to have collected monthly fees from condo owners and deposit it into the condo association’s bank account. Sullivan had access to the condo association’s bank account and also obtain a debit card to the same account as part of her role on the board.

Sullivan pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with Condominium Law Issues

Board members are trusted to properly use condominium members’ monthly fees to care for the exterior and common interior parts of the building(s). If you suspect that these funds have been misused, you have options. You can first review your board’s finances. But if you have reviewed your board’s finances and still wish to request an official audit, it’s imperative that you understand to what you are entitled.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island Condominium Law attorneys understand Rhode Island condo law and will work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. If you suspect that there is theft or fraud going on within your condominium association and its board, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

Man signing a homeowners insurance claims.

7 Tips for Protecting Your Home While You’re Away on Vacation

Posted on March 16, 2022

Now that many travel restrictions and bans have been lifted, the number of people traveling has gone up exponentially. Vacations can be extremely enjoyable. But before you hop on the plane, train, or boat or load into the car, you’ll want to be sure that your home is safe while you’re away. It’s important to properly plan before you leave. Here are 7 tips for protecting your home while you’re away on vacation.

There are things to do both inside and outside of the house. Here’s what to remember for the inside:

Put your lights on a timer.

One of the easiest ways to determine if someone is away is by looking at their lighting. If a house remains dark at night – especially more than one night in a row – it can easily become a target for criminals looking for opportunities. Therefore, set your lights on a timer so it looks like you’re home – even when you’re not.

Don’t post any updates on social media.

Another really easy way for someone to tell if you are away is by looking at your social media. Many people tend to share when they are leaving for vacation or post pictures on vacation. And while it’s understandable to want to share good news, it can also be an invitation for people to come to your home. In other words, if you’re away then you’re not home. Leave the pictures, posts, and comments for when you return.

Set the HVAC.

An important way to protect your home when you are away is by setting a programmable thermostat that will lower the usage of your AC or heat while you are gone. Just remember to check on and change the thermostat battery.

Ensure pipes are insulated.

One problem with going away – especially when the weather is cold – is that you run the risk of a pipe bursting without you being there to minimize the damage. Water damage can cost thousands of dollars in repairs. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your pipes are insulated. This is especially true in more vulnerable areas of the home such as basements and attics. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, it may be wise to ask a family member or friend to come over every so often and turn the sink on, which can help to prevent the pipes from freezing.

In addition to the inside of the home, there are things that you should keep in mind for the outside of the home when you go away.

Tend to your landscaping.

One thing that you may not think of is to have your landscaping done. By trimming tree branches and cutting bushes, you can prevent access to your home by someone climbing a tree, and allow a better view of the home by removing anything that might obscure view of it.

Stop newspapers and mail.

Another tell-tale sign that someone is away is that their mail begins to pile up. This is why it’s smart to stop all mail and newspaper deliveries or to have a neighbor or trusted individual pick it up regularly.

Set exterior lights on a timer.

Just as it’s wise to set your interior lights on a timer, it can also be very beneficial to do the same for the exterior lights. Again, this can help mask the fact that you are away.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Property Insurance Claims

Why You Must Act Fast When Dealing with Water Damage

Posted on February 15, 2022

Whether caused by a busted pipe, a flood, a roof leak, or anything else, water damage or the flooding of an area on your property can be extremely destructive and potentially dangerous to both your property – and you. This is why time is of the essence when your property suffers water damage. It’s important to know what to do after this flood damage occurs. Here’s why you should act fast.

Water damage can be harmful to your health and safety.

When water damage occurs it leads to contaminated water and the possibility of mold. This is why you should evacuate the flooded area until it’s safe to return. When you do go back, it’s imperative that you wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves and waterproof boots. It can also prove extremely dangerous if water damage comes into contact with any electronics. After water damage occurs you should be sure to switch off the circuit breakers and unplug any cords in order to shut off the electricity.

Without identifying the source of the problem, the damage can be compounded.

If you don’t know what has caused the water damage, how can you be sure to stop it from happening again? That’s why it’s important to quickly determine the source of the damage. It’s important to know where the shut-off valves on your pipes are since most water damage in the home can be attributed to a burst pipe or a leak from the hot water tank. If your leak is coming from the ceiling, it’s key that you bring an expert in to assess the issue. Finally, be sure to pay attention to any mold that may begin to appear. It can cause a foul odor or discolor areas of the ceilings or baseboards.

You want to provide your insurance company with information for a claim.

When your property has suffered from water damage, your insurance company can help you to recover the funds that it takes you to rebuild or fix the damaged parts of the property. It’s so important that you call as soon as you can once you notice the damage. Different insurance companies require you to do different things, so it’s imperative that you contact them immediately to ensure you meet each of their steps. You should also have a claims adjuster come to your property to assess the damage and estimate the cost of repairing it. You’ll also want to take photos and keep all receipts from what you’ve fixed. If you wait too long to contact them or if you fail to meet their requirements, your claim may be denied.

By leaving any unsafe areas, unplugging electronics, identifying the issue, and looking out for mold, you can help to prevent further property damage and ensure that you and your property are safe.

When your property suffers water damage it can be extremely overwhelming and you may have no idea how to proceed. That’s when it can be very helpful to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced property insurance attorney with experience handling flood damage cases.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Water Damage Claims

Filing a property insurance claim can be extremely confusing – and extremely frustrating. The last thing you want is to have your claim denied or delayed because of something that you did incorrectly. That’s why it’s so important to know how to file your claim from the beginning. An attorney can help to ensure that you properly file your property insurance claim.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island property insurance lawyers work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. We have deep experience working with insurance companies and understand how to deal with them. If you are planning on filing a flood damage claim, or if have already filed your claim and have been denied, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

How to Prepare for an Eviction Lawsuit

Posted on February 9, 2022

When a landlord’s tenants are no longer paying rent or are conducting themselves in a manner that violates their rental agreement, eviction may be necessary. If you are a landlord and find yourself in this situation, here is how you should prepare for an eviction lawsuit.

Don’t Do it on Your Own

As with all states, Rhode Island prohibits landlords from evicting tenants themselves. Instead, you must follow state laws. In order to remove your tenant, there is a process through which you must go; it doesn’t matter if you believe doing it yourself would yield faster results. You should refrain from doing any of the following:

Removing any of your tenant’s belongings;
Removing the tenant by force;
Changing the locks;
Harassing them in an effort to get them to leave; and
Turning off any essential utilities.

A Legal Reason is Required

Just because you are the landlord, it doesn’t give you the right to remove a tenant solely because you dislike them. In order to evict someone, you must have a valid legal reason. Such reasons include:

Violating the terms of the lease;
Failing to pay rent on time or altogether;
Causing property damage to the rental property;
Causing health or safety hazards; and
Breaking any noise, occupancy, or health ordinances.

If you have one of these reasons it is still required that you have proof to demonstrate it. It’s in your best interest to document everything. This also greatly helps should your case move to a hearing.

Provide the Tenant a Formal Eviction Notice

The eviction process can begin once you have one of the above reasons and you have tangible proof of it. Once this occurs, you will want to provide the tenant with a formal eviction notice, This is a simple document that provides your tenant with all information they need to know: they must fix the issue at hand or face eviction.

In Rhode Island, the amount of notice that a tenant must receive is dependent upon the reasoning for their eviction. For instance, if they are being evicted for not paying their rent, the rent must first be more than 15 days late, and then the tenant has five days to pay in full. If a tenant is being evicted for non-compliance with the lease, they have 20 days to remedy the issue or be evicted. It is important to note that for a month-to-month lease, a landlord may evict a tenant by giving them a 30-day notice and does not have to have any specific reason – so long as they do not have a discriminatory one.

Be sure to place the notice on their front door although you can also send it to them through certified mail with a return receipt request through USPS in order to verify that they did, in fact, receive the notice.

After sending or placing the eviction notice, the tenant has the ability to fix the issues stated. However, if they fail to do so and the deadline has passed, you would then file a Summons and Complaint for eviction with the courts.

The Hearing

You will then have an eviction hearing, or trial, before a judge. Both parties will present evidence but the landlord must prove his or her allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. Some important documents to bring with you to the hearing include:

The lease agreement
A copy of the eviction notice that the tenant received
Proof of when the tenant received the eviction notice
Records of all payments
Records of all communications between you and the tenant (including texts, calls, and emails)
Any bounced checks from the tenant

It’s always better to bring more documents than you end up needing than missing any documents that you may need.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island Facing an Eviction Lawsuit

There’s no doubt that evicting a tenant can be an extremely stressful and overwhelming time. You want to be sure that you do everything correctly the first time around. That’s where a real estate attorney can help.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island real estate lawyers can help to walk you through the eviction process. We have deep experience working with both landlords and tenants. If you are planning on evicting a tenant, or if have already had your eviction hearing and have been denied on a technicality, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

Top 5 Common Causes of Fire Damage

Posted on January 30, 2022

One of the best ways of dealing with a fire is to prevent its occurrence in the first place. The best way to prevent a fire from occurring in your home is to know its likely causes. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the five most common causes of fires include: 1) cooking; 2) heating; 3) electrical; 4) smoking; and 5) candles. Here is what to know about each one so you can prevent a fire in your home.

Cooking

The NFPA reports that from 2015-2019, cooking caused 49 percent of reported home fires, 20 percent of reported home fire deaths, and 42 percent of home fire injuries. It is the most common cause of residential fires. Major cooking holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are the riskiest time for cooking fires.

Approximately 44 percent of house fires begin in the kitchen or cooking area and from 2013-2017, almost half of all home structure fires were caused by cooking. These fires are commonly due to things being left cooking unattended as well as open flames and spills. If someone is not in the kitchen to extinguish the fire it can quickly get out of hand.

Tips

Maintain a fire extinguisher in the kitchen (that is rated for kitchens)
Don’t use the stove if you are tired or have consumed any alcohol
Remain in the kitchen while cooking
Utilize a timer to remind you that things are cooking
Keep anything that could catch fire (e.g. paper towels, oven mitts, wooden utensils) away from the stove.

Heating

Per the NFPA, from 2014-2018, local fire departments responded to an average of about 48,530 fires annually that involved heating equipment. This is equal to about 14% of all reported home fires during this time period and resulted in approximately 500 civilian deaths and 1,350 civilian injuries each year.

The most common heating cause of fires is space heaters. Although fireplaces and furnaces can pose a risk, space heaters can cause a fire simply by being left too close to other things that can catch fire.

While furnaces can cause fires in a home, space heaters and fireplaces are more common sources of heating equipment fires.

Tips

Always keep anything that can burn a minimum of 3 feet from heating equipment
Each year you should have your heating equipment, such as your chimneys, cleaned and inspected by a professional

Electrical

Another common cause of fires in the home is electrical, namely faulty wiring. You may be able to tell that your house has faulty wiring if you see blinking lights, lights that dim when you turn on appliances, or sparks coming from an electrical outlet.

Tip

Always have all electrical work done by a professional

Smoking

Another common cause of fire damage is lit cigarettes or lighters. Sadly, one out of every four victims who die from a smoking-material fire is not the smoker. Merely dropping a lit cigarette can cause a blaze that spreads throughout the entire house. This often occurs when someone drops a cigarette after falling asleep. The best way to combat fire damage from smoking is by always smoking outside of the home.

Tips

Only smoke fire-safe cigarettes
Always smoke outside
Always keep smoking materials (e.g. cigarettes, lighters, etc.) out of the reach of children
Never leave e-cigarettes to charge unattended
Never smoke around medical oxygen, which is easily combustible

Candles

According to the NFPA, each year (from 2015-2019) U.S. fire departments responded to approximately 7,400 home structure fires that were started by candles. These fires resulted in an average of 90 fatalities and 670 injuries per year. An average of 20 home candle fires are reported daily.

Tips

Never leave candles burning attended
Always trim the candle wick after each use
Keep candles at least a foot from anything that can burn
Always blow out candles before going to sleep or leaving the room

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Fire Damage Claims

No matter their cause, all fires are dangerous and can result in serious damage and loss of life. When you are recovering from a fire, you should be able to focus on getting better. The last thing you want to deal with is fighting with your insurance company about what you are entitled to. That’s where a qualified fire damage attorney can help.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island property insurance lawyers work strategically to help our clients get what they deserve. We have deep experience working with insurance companies and understand how to deal with them. If you are planning on filing a fire damage claim, or if you have already filed your claim and have been denied, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Residential Property

Posted on January 24, 2022

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that you will likely ever make. For that reason, it should be taken very seriously. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a plan ahead of time it can be quite easy to make a big mistake that may impact your financial health for a long time to come. Here are 7 mistakes to avoid when buying a residential property.

Choosing the wrong real estate agent.

You wouldn’t choose just anyone to perform heart surgery, would you? And while searching for a home isn’t exactly on the same level, the idea remains the same: choose the right person for the job. The real estate agent that you choose will be the person to walk you through each step of the buying process and answer any questions you have. It’s really important to select someone who has real experience and understands the intricacies of not only real estate in general, but of the market in which you’re looking. His or her ability to negotiate could impact what you pay – by thousands of dollars.

Spending beyond your means.

There’s a reason they tell brides not to try on wedding dresses outside of their budget – because everything else will likely pale by comparison. The same thing goes with looking for a house. Before you even begin the process of buying a home it’s imperative that you know what you’re able to afford. This includes not only your mortgage payments, but also your taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance expenses. It should take into account both one-time and recurring payments. By having a clear budget, you are better able to focus on the areas that you can afford and prevent you from purchasing more than you can afford.

Going with what you want rather than what you need.

This leads us to the next mistake to avoid. Sure, a property may offer a number of luxurious amenities that you’ve only dreamed about. But it’s more important to step back and ask if they are really necessary. That’s why it can be really beneficial to establish two lists: 1) your non-negotiables (the things you cannot live without; and 2) the things that you’d like to have. Then when you are looking at properties you can always refer back to your lists.

Not getting pre-approved for a mortgage first.

Once you’ve established your budget and know how much you are able to afford on your mortgage, it’s best to get in touch with your local banks to get pre-approved. This gives you peace of mind in knowing that you’ll be able to get a mortgage with the bank. It also demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious buyer and puts you in a better position for being chosen for a home when compared to those who are not pre-approved.

Passing on the contingencies/inspections.

You may think that it makes you look better to forgo the contingencies when buying a home and do without a home inspection. However, whether or not it’s required you should always have a home inspected prior to purchasing it. Looks can be deceiving and just because you don’t see any issues it doesn’t mean that they aren’t present. A professional home inspector knows just what to look for and can assure you that there are no issues.

Not taking your time and looking around.

Lastly, the home-buying process can be extremely exciting. After all, you are purchasing the place in which you will spend a majority of your time, build your life, and create memories – or at least keep for 5 years to pull equity. It can be extremely tempting to throw an offer on the very first home you come by. Since you are making such a big commitment, it’s always in your best interest to shop around a bit before signing on the dotted lines.

PALUMBO LAW’s Team of Real Estate Attorneys Represent Buyers, Borrowers, Sellers, and Lenders in Rhode Island

At PALUMBO LAW, our real estate attorneys understand that buying a home can prove quite complex. Our team is committed to delivering quality service and can handle all aspects of your residential purchase. We prepare all the necessary legal documents, including loan documents, deeds, and other closing documents, assist with obtaining financing, represent clients at closing, record documents, and obtain final Title Insurance policies. By handling all the details, we minimize the stress so that our clients can focus on their daily routines. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

What is a Private Nuisance and How Can it Impact Condo Living?

Posted on December 20, 2021

Owning your own home comes with many perks. Having your own space allows you to partake in activities that you desire and to use your property as you wish. However, the way in which you are allowed to enjoy your property isn’t without limitation. The way in which you use your property may not interfere with the legal right of someone else to use and enjoy their property. When it does, this is considered a private nuisance.

What is a Private Nuisance?

A private nuisance is the use of one’s property in a way that interferes with the legal right of another to use and enjoy their property. Under Rhode Island state law, a private nuisance occurs when someone unreasonably uses their property in a manner that materially interferes with their neighbor’s use of his property or his physical comfort. Put simply, a nuisance is an action that damages another’s use and enjoyment of their property. The action itself may be perfectly legal.

In order to determine whether something classifies as a nuisance, it must be asked whether or not the action in question was reasonable. This is a question of fact that must be proven by the side bringing the complaint. Often the answer to a private nuisance is equitable relief, which is essentially an order that prohibits the person from engaging in the activity that was found offensive.

Community Living

Private nuisances are often a big concern when it comes to community living, such as living in a condominium. When neighbors share common property and live so close to one another, loud noises and pungent odors can prove to be a nuisance. If a condo unit owner is engaging in a noise or odor that interferes with his or her condo unit neighbor’s ability to enjoy his or her unit, and he or she brings an action for nuisance, the sound or smell may be ordered to cease.

Condo Association Rules Reign Supreme

Condo unit owners are bound by the rules and regulations of the condo association. These rules generally include a clause about nuisances; unit owners may not engage in activities that deprive other unit members of their own enjoyment of their property. It is therefore the responsibility of the board to determine (on behalf of the association) whether or not the behavior is enough to constitute a nuisance. Under the Rhode Island Condominium Act, the person accused of engaging in disturbing behavior must be provided notice and opportunity for a hearing before receiving any fines.

What one board may consider being a nuisance per their association’s rules, may not be the same for another board. That’s why it’s in the best interest of the board to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced Rhode Island condominium attorney to determine what to do next and to avoid unnecessary litigation.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with Condominium Law Issues

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island Condominium Law attorneys understand Rhode Island condo law and will work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. If you believe that a condo unit owner has committed a nuisance, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!

Here’s How Taking Good Pictures Can Help Your Claim

Posted on December 17, 2021

You may have heard the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words. But what you may not know is that a picture can also influence thousands of dollars. Pictures can often make or break a case as they often provide evidence that could not otherwise be equaled through mere words. When a policyholder is looking to recover from damage, pictures of the damage itself are invaluable. This holds true whether the claim is for flooding, fire loss, or any other types of claims.

What Should You Capture?

Luckily for you, most people nowadays have smartphones with cameras. Therefore, it is much easier to get your hands on a camera than it has ever been before. It’s good to take pictures of your property prior to anything bad happening. Therefore, when you experience a loss, you can take “after photos.” As a general rule, you may want to take pictures of your property – both inside and outside – on a quarterly basis. You may also wish to have a roofer or someone else qualified, take photos of the condition of your roof when they are on your property. This should include broad pictures of the roof as well as close-up pictures of it. Usually, about twenty to twenty-five pictures is a good amount when it comes to documenting different parts of your property. Other property that it is a good idea to capture images of includes:

Garage doors
Window screens
Skylights
Awnings
Parapet walls

Capture pictures of interior water spots or stains on your walls and ceilings as well as any stains located near your hot water heaters or sprinklers. You will also want to keep an eye on your attic and take pictures of it – especially if your water heater is located there.

Using Your Photos to Combat Other Evidence

Since insurance companies often have their own sets of pictures, they can take them in such a way as to try to omit certain important factors, therefore hurting your claim. That’s why having your own set of images is so important. You will want to keep them in a saved folder on your cloud so that you will have them – even if your phone or laptop goes missing. Also, be sure to take photos after repair, so that if your property becomes damaged again, it can’t be claimed that the damage is merely a continuance of pre-existing damage. You will be able to show that the prior damage had been repaired.

Videos can also serve as good evidence in the event of a loss. Just be sure to include your property in the video to show that it is the location you are claiming and try to keep the clip to under thirty seconds. Also, make sure that your video is time-stamped.

PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Fire Damage Claims

By working with an insurance attorney, he or she can help to walk you through each step of the process. Even if your claim has already been denied, a knowledgeable and qualified attorney can help.

At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island Property Insurance lawyers work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. We have deep experience working with insurance companies and understand how to deal with them. If you are planning on filing a fire damage claim, or if you have already filed your claim and been denied, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!