Tag Archives: just so you know

Last Call For Mini Halloween Series Guest Bloggers

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Last Call For Mini Halloween Series Guest Bloggers

Hellooo everyone and happy weekend! I am still looking for a few more guest bloggers for my mini Halloween series while I am away for a couple of days in October. If you are interested in sharing some spook-tastic fun with my readers in a Halloween themed post of your choice, then please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !! THANKS! ❤

Also, be sure to tune in tomorrow so that we can talk shop about the Marilyn Manson concert yesterday! Woooooooooooooooooo! Much love. -Sarah

Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

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Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

Congrats! You’re going to college. All of those years of studying hard and living at home have finally paid off. Within a couple of months, the bags and boxes will be full and you’ll be ready to meet your roommate. What a time to be alive (lol). Well, it is as long as you make it that far. If there is one thing that we know about higher education, it’s the price. According to The Economist, the average student loan debt is $37,172. It doesn’t matter how many weekend jobs you have because you ain’t going to save that money.

So, this is where the government comes in handy and finally pulls its weight and lends you the money. And, you gladly hand it over to the college of your choice without a second thought. Wait a minute, though. What if that was a mistake? These are the signs that you can trust a college with your student loan, because things can go south very quickly:

Retail Price:

Career coaches won’t tell you to do this, but what’s the point of being a teenager if you aren’t going to rebel (YOLO.)? Think of a college like property. Before you make an offer, the savvy thing to do is check the prices throughout the neighborhood. That way, no one gets conned over the price. Universities are the same because they will try and charge extra for a course which is no different to its competitors. They might have an “excuse”, but it has to be a good one. As a rule, the majority of the courses throughout the major colleges are the same, barring a feature or two. An establishment that is trying to milk you for as much as possible isn’t a trustworthy one.

The Paper Trail:

The foundations of a con doesn’t change from the bottom to the very top. Whether you’re dealing with a petty criminal or a rogue college, they all require trust. Not to be cynical, but keep your cards close to your chest. Again, not something a counselor would advocate, yet an important piece of advice, nonetheless. Fake unis and colleges attempting to improve their bottom line act like butter wouldn’t melt. So, the idea of education fraud doesn’t even appear on a potential student’s radar, not unless it’s on Call of Duty. However, it’s a problem which is impacting the school systems around the world. The good news, is that a receipt of payment is a simple fix. I know you wanted something a bit more James Bondish, but there are no fancy gadgets here. Nope, it’s just a piece of paper with the time, date, and a total amount.

Their Reputation:

Universities aren’t exempt from the rumor mill. Whether it’s Oxford and Harvard or a community college, campus gossip is something that you shouldn’t always take with a grain of salt. There will always be rumors and experiences from previous students. If you hear anything that sounds sketchy in the murky underworld that is higher education, don’t be afraid to investigate. A little piece of gossip can be the difference between tens of thousands of good debt, and a fraud case.

Keep in mind that all colleges aren’t the beacon of morality of which they claim. Some are dishonest and unreliable, plain and simple. Do your research, because your student loans are going to impact you until you finally pay them off.

Featured Image By: Flickr via CafeCredit

Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

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Protecting Your Home From A Hurricane: 3 Crucial Steps To Take

I’m sure everyone has seen the devastating scenes from Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. It’s a truly tragic event that’s left so many homes destroyed and people on the streets. While this particular hurricane was a ‘100-year storm’ it does make us open our eyes and wonder if we’re prepared for any other hurricanes that might hit our homes. Trying to limit the damage to your home is crucial, and there are a few key steps that you can take to keep your property in the best shape possible when natural disasters hit your area:

Secure Your Roof:

Your roof is one of the parts of your house that suffers worse than most. When the heavy rains pelt down and the winds come roaring, it’s normally your roof that takes the brunt of the force. Not only that, but your roof can easily be damaged due to the way that it’s made. Roof tiles can be blown off or shattered, which will lead to severe leaks and a whole lot of property damage.

What you need to do is secure your roof properly. The first way to do this is by checking all of the tiles and ensuring that your roof is in good condition. If not, you should have dodgy tiles replaced or maybe a whole new roof fitted. As you can see with this roofing contractor, there are loads of different materials that you can build a roof out of. Pick one that you know is extremely durable and weather resistant. While you’re at it, get some hurricane straps, too, so you can keep your roof even more secure.

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Is your roof as secure as possible?

Block Any Gaps:

It’s very common for windows and doors to have tiny gaps in their sealant that can let in drafts of cold air or bits of rainwater. Normally, you don’t notice this, but you will when a storm hits. So, you must block any gaps and secure your windows and doors. Put a fresh layer of sealant around all of your windows to ensure that the wind doesn’t sneak in or rain doesn’t cause leaks. The same goes for your doors, too. You might also want to look into hurricane proof windows for further security and peace of mind if a hurricane hits. Any extra protection is priceless.

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Keep everything sealed tight!

Keep Your Front & Back Yards Bare:

Finally, it’s a good idea to limit what you have outside of your house. By this we mean; outdoor tables/chairs, a kid’s playhouse, garden tools, etc. This is because hurricane winds can blow them into your house and cause damage. When hurricane season hits, it’s best to move everything into indoor storage. Also, think about trimming down the trees that are in closest proximity to your home for extra security.

If you know that hurricanes are common in your area, follow these steps right away to get yourself prepared. And, as always, our thoughts are with everyone whose life has been turned upside down by Hurricane Harvey.

Featured Image By: Bit.ly

Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

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Signs That It’s Time To Leave Your Job

It’s easy for us to get used to our jobs and maybe even feel content with them, to the detriment of our future advancement. Just because a job is easy and it’s pleasant doesn’t mean that is is the right place for you to be. While there’s nothing wrong with staying at a job because it’s easy and we know what we’re doing, it can lead to complacency, and you might still be there ten years down the line when all of your colleagues have moved on to bigger and better things.

To avoid being trapped by complacency, here are some sure signs that it’s time to move on from your current job:

Your Life Is The Status Quo: If you’ve been doing the same job with the same routine every day for so long that you can’t even remember when it started, it might be time to look elsewhere to start really building a career. If promotions in your current place are hard to come by and you haven’t been considered despite being more than qualified, chances are you could definitely do better. And who doesn’t want to spice up their life a little>

You’re Never Given Feedback: Feedback, both positive and negative, is important for your development. If you don’t know what you’re doing right and which things could be improved upon, you’ll never be able to grow into the best professional that you can be.

Your Bosses Are Being Difficult: If after all of the hard work and dedication you’ve put into building their business, your bosses are so difficult that you have to see a workers compensation lawyer or they put you on probation because you had to take a few days out to look after a sick family member, take it as a clear nudge to get out. It’s rarely worth sticking with a company that doesn’t value you, especially when you’re only doing it because the work is easy or it’s a little more convenient for you.

There’s A Mass Exodus: If your long-term coworkers all start to abandon ship around the same time, it’s probably worth finding out why. If they’re experiencing problems in the workplace, it’s only a matter of time before you start experiencing the same issues, too. Or, if they’re leaving because they’ve found better opportunities elsewhere, you could, too!

You’ve Been Contacted By Headhunters: If you’ve been contacted by headhunters who’ve gone out of their way to try and poach you, you’d be foolish not to at least consider it. If a company really wants you, it’s usually because they’re impressed by your work and are willing to pay for the experience that you bring to the table. You may be able to negotiate a better salary and more workplace benefits with them than you could in your current position. And, once again, who doesn’t want that?

You’ve Already Been Considering It: If you’ve been thinking about leaving, even if they’ve only been idle thoughts, it could be a sign that you’ve grown weary of your job, even if you don’t fully realize it yourself. Don’t dismiss these thoughts and look into your options, because everyone has them.

Leaving a steady job can be scary, but sometimes it’s the only way to move forward to bigger and better things in your life.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mostly Bloodless Medical Jobs For The Squeamish

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Mostly Bloodless Medical Jobs For The Squeamish

A lot of people fancy a career in the medical sector. But when they sit down and really think about what it involves – cutting people open and having their guts spew out – suddenly it doesn’t seem so appealing. But the good news, is that not everybody in healthcare is ripping open chest cavities and reattaching severed limbs. In fact, there are plenty of positions which don’t involve any blood at all, like the following:

Don’t let your squeamishness put you off from getting a job in this sector. The jobs listed below will definitely not require a radiation suit or assisting with surgeries as well as minimal blood! Perfect for those who would like to work in the medical field without all of the yuck that potentially comes with it. Let’s get started:

Respiratory Therapist: One of the best ways to become valuable as a healthcare worker is to drill down and focus on a single area of expertise. Respiratory therapists do just that, focusing on helping people who have trouble breathing and doing tests to get to the bottom of their condition. The good thing about becoming a respiratory therapist is that there is comparatively little blood involved. You will have to insert tubes into patients’ windpipes, but if you can get over that hurdle, you’re almost home and dry.

Like other jobs in healthcare, experts believe that the demand for respiratory therapists will remain strong over the next five years, at least. Respiratory therapists are likely to be in high demand thanks to the increasing prevalence of lung-related disorders, such as asthma and COPD. Salaries are competitive. For just a couple of year’s training to get an associate degree, a trained respiratory therapist can take home $60,000 per year.

Nutritionist: Chronic diseases and obesity are currently the major cause of disability in Western countries like the US. Yes, people need heroic medicine if they break their leg, and they need antibiotics when they get an infection, but the vast majority of illness is the result of diet and lifestyle. Your job as a nutritionist is to help people modify their diets, change their habits and chip away at the underlying causes of their illnesses.

A cool thing about being a nutritionist is that by working closely enough with patients, you can help them not only manage their chronic diseases but reverse them, too. The medical literature is full of studies in which people with conditions like heart disease, angina, and diabetes get better, all by shifting their diets to healthier options.

The obesity crisis isn’t going anywhere, and so dietitians are likely to remain on the front lines for a long time to come, helping to motivate people to choose healthier behaviors and options. Pay averages around $57,000 per year, though it’s possible to make more by getting high profile private clients, selling books, and blogging.

Radiologist: Radiologists are doctors with relatively few actual contact hours with patients. They spend most of their time reading up on both the latest diagnostic technology and the best lab improvement software such as NovoPath 360, helping them to better collaborate with other staff such as lab techs and find out how to deliver the right treatment to their patients. Radiology is currently an exciting field: scanning technologies are progressing at an exponential rate and before long, radiologists will be able to view every cell in the body at sub-micron resolutions, allowing them to pinpoint the exact source of a person’s illness.

As a radiologist, you’re also liable to work with technology in the future, specifically artificial intelligence, perhaps the single most important advance in the medical sector for decades. With the help of AI, radiologists seek and identify diseases in their patients and offer treatment options. According to http://www.wikiprofessional.org/index.php?title=Radiologist_Salary the average salary for a radiologist is $130,000 per year. However, the top 10 percent earn more than $187,000.

Radiation Therapist: The job of a radiation therapist is to administer cancer treatment to patients. Their purpose is to not only operate the equipment itself but explain to patients their treatment options. According to https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/medical-imaging-and-radiotherapy/, you need an accredited degree or postgraduate program to become a radiation therapist. You’ll need all of the training that you can get to adequately monitor the progress of the patient during treatment.

Radiotherapy is expected to increase as the population ages. Currently, around 39 percent of Americans get cancer at some point in their lives. This is projected to rise to 50 percent over the next twenty years. Thus, unless technology changes, the number of radiation therapy jobs is expected to boom by more than 25 percent until 2022. That’s pushing wages up, too. A radiation therapist can earn more than $83,000 per year. What’s more, there’s no blood involved.

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Health.mil Image

Does the sight of blood make you cringe? Do you still want a job in the medical field? Then, some of the above job options might be for you!

Featured Image By: Wikimedia Commons

Monday Update: Falling For Fall Guest Bloggers Series Lineup

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Monday Update: Falling For Fall Guest Bloggers Series Lineup

Hi everyone and happy Monday! This week and the next are going to be very exciting here on lifewithlilred, because my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series premieres tomorrow. Every day you can tune in here at 1 PM for posts from amazing bloggers from all over the world as they tell you how they welcome fall through their travel, beauty, DIY, style, and so much more. It’s safe to say that this series has been one of my favorites yet and I’m really excited to share it with all of you. The lineup will be as follows:

Tomorrow my Falling For Fall series will kickstart for some nonstop fun on lifewithlilred and I just know that all of you are going to love it! How was everyone’s weekend? Are some of your favorite bloggers featured on my lineup? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sick :(

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Sick :(

Hi everyone and TGIF! Lil Red has come down with a really unfortunate summer cold this past week and, rest assured, I am absolutely miserable. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me this weekend because I need to get some rest and I also have a lot to catch up on from my sick days. But please tune in for next week’s Monday Update, because I will be announcing the lineup for my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series, which premieres on the 29th!

How do you beat a summer cold? What are some of your home remedies for when you’re feeling unwell? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

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Understanding Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is a way to increase the money that you have during your retirement by accessing part of your home’s value in the form of actual money. You can borrow up to a certain percentage of the value of your home, and you won’t have to pay it back in the same way that you would a regular home loan. The only monthly installments involved will be the ones that the lender pays to you, unless you request to borrow a large amount at once. You can pay back a reverse loan whenever you want, as long as you don’t move away.

As soon as you leave, the lender can exercise their right to call in the loan, and they can also sell the home to get their money. But, as long as you plan to stay in your house for a while, a reverse mortgage can provide a much needed financial boost in times of trouble.

Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage? There are certain requirements in order to qualify for a reverse mortgage. An individual must own their home outright. If there is still a mortgage balance owed, it must be low enough that it can be paid off at closing. The homeowner is still required to pay property taxes and insurance, so they must have the finances to do so. The individual must be at least 62 years old or, if there are multiple owners, the youngest must be at least 62 years old.

When does a reverse mortgage become due? The reverse mortgage becomes due when the homeowner sells the house, moves out of the property, or becomes deceased. If there are multiple owners, the mortgage does not become due as long as at least one of them still remains in the home as a primary residence. Once the reverse mortgage is due, the balance of the loan must be paid back within six months. If you are nearing retirement, for instance, then you may want to think about how else you can pay your mortgage. You will want to find out the latest RIO mortgage rates from the Halifax Building Society, or a similar company, as you decide if this option is feasible or not for you and your family. You never want this to overextend your budget.

What happens with the estate? In the event that the homeowner or owners are deceased, beneficiaries of the estate can choose to place the property for sale. If the estate sells for more than the amount of the reverse mortgage, the proceeds become the property of the beneficiaries. Should the house sell for less than the total amount of the reverse mortgage, the lender must take the loss. The debt cannot be passed along to the heirs of the estate.

The estate beneficiaries may, instead, choose to pay back the reverse mortgage in order to retain ownership of the property. In this event, they must pay back any balance remaining on the mortgage. This can be done either by using financial assets or by refinancing the mortgage.

What if I change my mind? If a senior citizen obtains a reverse mortgage and then reconsiders, they have the option of paying back the loan early. Prior to September of 2012, lenders could charge a penalty for repaying the loan prior to term. Since then, penalties for prepayments are illegal. However, lenders may charge other administrative fees for processing the early discharge of the loan.

Reverse mortgage counseling: Deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you depends on many factors, and consumers need to understand all of the pros and cons. An impartial reverse mortgage counselor can fully explain exactly what the loan entails. They will also be able to inform you of other mortgage solutions that you can consider. This is a big decision and you must know all of the facts before making your choice. This counseling is mandatory in order to protect consumers. Counseling may be done face-to-face or over the phone. After providing counseling, the counselor must sign an HECM Counseling Certificate and mail a copy to the homeowner. The copy is presented to the lender along with the reverse mortgage application.

Let’s be honest, any type of financing when it comes to your home can be confusing. It is always best to handle your affairs with the utmost care and to consider how each of your options, like a reverse mortgage, fits into your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Productivity Boosting: Simple Guidance For New Company Bosses

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Productivity Boosting: Simple Guidance For New Company Bosses

When anyone starts a new company, they often have to navigate many different stumbling blocks. If the individual manages to do that successfully, they should have a profitable business on their hands. However, there will come a time when it makes sense to implement new measures to boost productivity and efficiency, which helps to increase profits and ensure that the company can satisfy as many clients or customers as possible. The problem, is that most new entrepreneurs have no clue where to start. With that in mind, the guidance below this introduction should assist in providing some advice. Use one or more of the strategies mentioned in this post to increase productivity and take the brand to the next level:

Educate Employees: Sometimes the best way to increase productivity is to provide educational opportunities to the workforce. With a bit of luck, that process will help employees to learn new skills that they can apply to their roles within the company. It could be as simple as doing typing test practice for people to increase their WPM or involved as investing in certificate programs. The business owner just has to work out which course is most appropriate. Most entrepreneurs won’t want their workers to spend too much time out of the office. For that reason, it makes sense to select online programs that allow employees to gain their qualifications at home. MBA management online degrees could benefit people in team leader positions. Likewise, anyone working as part of the marketing team would learn the latest techniques from advertising and promotional courses. Employers just have to:

  • Present workers with suitable education programs
  • Offer to pay for the courses
  • Provide support for all learners

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Knowledge is power!

Make Use of the Latest Technology: There is no getting away from the fact that we are living in the digital age now. New technology reaches the market every single day and business owners need to keep their fingers on the pulse. Failure to do that could mean that the company never reaches maximum productivity and it could also mean that the brand loses out to their competition. Many different software packages could assist in reducing workloads and making the operation more efficient than it was in the past. For instance, entrepreneurs might like to invest in:

  • Cloud storage
  • Accounting software
  • Inventory software
  • Social media management tools
  • 3D printing technology

Many tech blogs and websites release articles discussing the latest advancements. It only makes sense for business owners to bookmark those addresses and take a look at new posts every day. In addition, brainstorming creative ways to increase efficiency should be happening regularly. This could include tech training seminars or finding a frontline enablement solution that works for your company.

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#technology

Offer Bonuses to Workers: Human beings are simple creatures and they tend to respond well to incentives. Bosses who want their employees to go the extra mile should offer financial bonuses. People who do that should notice a vast improvement in productivity almost immediately. The process is much the same as dangling a carrot in front of a donkey. Of course, some companies don’t have enough money in their accounts to hand out cash bonuses every week. In that situation, it’s wise to think of some alternative perks for employees who make an effort. For instance, bosses might consider offering:

  • Cinema tickets
  • Food vouchers
  • Alcoholic drinks (for the weekend)
  • New job opportunities
  • Workplace discounts

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$$$$

Know When to Outsource: Most business owners have read about the process of outsourcing in the past. However, a significant percentage of entrepreneurs never push ahead with the idea. That is a terrible mistake to make for anyone who wants to boost productivity. There are going to be many tasks within the company that take a long time to complete. It often makes sense to employ outside specialists or distributed teams to handle those processes. For instance, many firms choose to outsource their customer service departments these days. That is a fantastic move because it means other people deal with correspondence and employees can focus on pushing the operation forward. Customers don’t know the difference because the business owner will create a script for the call center staff to follow. Another example would be employing services like those offered by this US software testing and QA team to ensure that all of your necessary software is always functioning properly. Other jobs individuals tend to outsource include:

  • Parts of the manufacturing process
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Human resources

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Move Towards Automation: Experts claim that automation is the key to success in the modern business world. That is especially the case for people who own manufacturing companies. There are many specialists out there who develop custom-built robots that can perform many tasks without human interaction. Automating the production process would mean business owners can get their products made in the fastest time possible. It should also mean there are fewer mistakes than before and the items are made to the highest of standards. However, even those running an office can benefit from automation. With the right tools, it’s possible to automate:

  • Employee salary payments
  • Leases, which can be achieved if you consider lease tracking software
  • The recording of financial information
  • Inventory monitoring
  • The placing of supplier orders

Business owners just have to search online for the best-automated software packages.  If they can’t find anything suitable, the entrepreneur should get in touch with developers. There are people out there who will build almost anything for a price.

Remove the Weakest Links: Just as company bosses have to reward hard workers, they also need to remove the weakest links from their team. If there are employees who show up late every day and never perform as expected, it’s time to terminate their contracts. Of course, all employers will have to follow a standard disciplinary process to avoid any disputes. Some workers will say mistreatment has taken place and that can result in them taking the boss to a tribunal. However, that should never happen if the entrepreneur treads carefully. Anyone who needs to understand the process should get in touch with experienced lawyers. People in that profession know how to get rid of useless workers without creating repercussions. Listen to their advice and put it into practice. In most instances, company bosses will have to:

  • Give the employee a verbal warning
  • Offer two written warnings
  • Present the employee with a final warning
  • Hold a meeting to discuss the situation
  • Fire the employee

People who follow that strategy will have done everything possible to resolve the issue in the eyes of the law. While some ex-employees might try to take the business to court, they will not succeed in their bid for compensation.

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Bye bye!

Remain Flexible: All entrepreneurs should aim to stay as flexible as possible when it comes to their working processes. That is the only way to ensure that they always maximize profit potential. Maybe a new piece of software appears on the market that could slash working times in half? Perhaps a new material could assist in reducing the cost of product production? Only those with flexibility will manage to implement the changes quickly and reap the rewards. Time is often of the essence when it comes to making use of new ideas before the competition. All company bosses should ensure that they can change any part of their operation at the drop of a hat. Strategies for that might include:

  • Ensuring all departments are self-reliant
  • Improving workplace communication channels
  • Employing experts who can adjust the structure of the company quickly

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The tips and tricks listed in this article should be enough to point all entrepreneurs in the right direction. Boosting productivity can help to increase profits and make sure that the business has enough capital in its accounts to expand. Failure to use the advice from this page could mean the company becomes set in its ways. That is the worst thing that can happen to any modern operation, because it is only a matter of time before a rival blows it out of the water. Out of all of the guidance in this post, remaining flexible is the most important, so start working on that as soon as possible!

Featured Image By: Flickr

The Fallout: Steps To Take After Suffering Extreme Damage To Your Home

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The Fallout: Steps To Take After Suffering Extreme Damage To Your Home

It’s never something we would like to think that would affect any of us, but with the rise of inclement weather all over the world, it seems more and more likely with every passing year that your home will be involved in some kind of disaster. Whether it be a flood, tornado, earthquake, or a fire, it is a terrible situation to be in. But what happens after the event to your home and to you personally? Let’s try and address the issues about how to repair all the damage after a disaster.

The First Thing To Do:

The first sort of call when it comes to a disaster happening to your home, once everybody is safe, is to get in contact with your insurance company and file a claim. Depending on whether you are renting your home or not, you would still need to make a claim based on the damage to your property or your worldly possessions. It’s your prerogative at the start whether you would want to use a public adjuster to deal with the entire process of the claim, which could help with the building insurance, contents insurance, as well as providing emergency accommodation. These experts work on behalf of policyholders’ interests, so the sooner you are able to engage with reputable Public Adjusters, the bigger the burden they can remove from your shoulders. Once you have met with the public adjuster, they will undertake a fact-finding mission throughout your property, and based on the circumstances of the claim, forensic specialists may be called to undertake an investigation, especially if this was a house fire to determine the cause.

The Next Steps:

Once you have met with the loss adjuster, they will submit a report to the insurance company based on the circumstances surrounding the disaster and they will also recommend whether the insurer should pay your claim or not. They will make a decision on whether the policy you have is sufficient enough to cover the damage, which is a big problem a lot of policyholders have, being “underinsured”. From there, the emergency contractors will be appointed to carry out any works that are urgent, and this could include water damage restoration companies, which will provide their own investigation into the causes. If you have issues in your home with things like running water, they will provide a restoration plan for you. If you live in an area where water damage is a threat to your home, it is advised to have a professional in mind as you never know when you will need them. To find a team near you, simply enter a search for “water damage restoration in Sacramento” (or your local area) so you always have an expert on standby.

Other companies may weatherproof your property or make your home more secure by boarding up the windows or covering the roof. These practical fixes can provide an extra boost of protection. Businesses like Restoration 1 (Or a similar one in your local area) could tend to issues like mold or restoration from fire or water damage.

Should the damage have come from a natural disaster like an earthquake, you will need a professional to assess your foundation and make a plan of repair. The team you choose might recommend soft story retrofitting with a custom tailored plan to ensure long term structural security. This is also a good thing to have ahead of time and not after the fact. To get started on this renovation, simply enter a search for “soft story retrofitting in LA” (or your local area) to find a well reviewed team for the job.

It’s important to note that the insurers might not pay for this work until the claim has been processed, so it would be your responsibility in the meantime to prevent additional damage to your property. After this, the surveyor will assess the overall damage to your property and put together a plan for the reinstatement of it.

The Contents Claim:

If your home was very badly damaged and all of your possessions have been destroyed, it’s important for you to make a detailed list of all of your contents including the cost for replacements. A lot of insurance companies act on a “like for like” basis. But if you are claiming for things like clothes and bedding, they are replaced on what is called an indemnity basis, meaning that there will be a reduction in their value based on the wear and tear of your original items. And if you’ve got a lot of high-end items such as electronic equipment or designer clothes, you need to provide the proof, the makes, models, etc., before the insurance company will accept the claim completely.

The Personal Impact:

As it would be expected, the process of dealing with loss adjusters and the insurance company can be a trying one, especially if you are without a home. During the process, you will be in temporary accommodation, and this could be the emergency accommodation provided at the outset of the disaster. After that, you would have to find long-term temporary accommodation that suits you and your family during the restoration of the property. This can be difficult to acquire, especially if you have a big family or have pets.

It’s at this point where the stress can get the better of you, as you’re not in your own home. During your dealings with the insurance company, you may feel like you’re being passed from pillar to post, but this is a fact of the situation, unfortunately. If your claim is in limbo, it can take some time. And during your negotiation with a loss adjuster, you may not get everything that you wish in terms of suitable emergency accommodation, as you need to agree on a budget with the loss adjuster.

The Final Pieces Of The Puzzle:

Once the ball has been rolling after the tense negotiations, the process of tendering will begin. At this point, the contractors will be appointed to do the work on your home. The contractors are usually specialist ones appointed by the insurance company, but if you want to use your own contractors, you need to be careful with your choice as there are many out there who may not have a good track record. It is at this point where the surveyor will meet with the contractors to solidify the final parts of the work, which will progress until your home is fully restored. It’s important to note that at this point, you may wish to make some alterations to your home, pending the approval of the surveyor. After this, your contents claim would be agreed, items are secured, and you can return home.

While we all hope that it doesn’t happen to us, it’s important that if your home suffers from any type of disaster that you have the right policies in place. If you don’t have any insurance, it is recommended that you get something for peace of mind. If your home is ever going to suffer a disaster, with the right insurance policies in place you know you can, at least, rebuild your life.

Featured Image By: Wikipedia