Damage might just look like damage to you. But to your insurance company, there’s an entire network of factors that categorize your specific type of property damage. Yes, you guessed it. Not every category qualifies for coverage. Find out what counts as functional damage and what’s purely cosmetic so you can know what to expect the next time you file a property damage claim. Make you’re you get what you are owed when you hire Altieri Insurance Consultants Palm Beach!
The Partner Property Owners Rely On.
Functional vs. Cosmetic Damage: An Overview
Any time something is damaged on your property, just ask yourself, “Can I live without it?”, “Does this just look bad, or is this going to be a problem?” It’s not a matter of measuring quality of life, but of whether or not life can move on. This is the difference between functional and cosmetic property damage, in a nutshell.
Why does classifying property damage matter? Because many insurance companies in Palm Beach will compensate for functional damage, but not cosmetic damage. They’ll cover essentials that you need to survive, but they won’t help you repaint a wall with a few scuff marks.
Insurance comes with many rules, like the 80% Rule for home insurance, or the FEMA 50% rule. This is just another stipulation to throw onto the already massive pile of regulations.
Don’t let a mountain of property insurance policy regulations bog you down. Just leave it all to your trusted team of public adjusters in Palm Beach!
Functional Damage – Assessing Your Property’s Long-Term Value
What’s “important” might feel a bit suggestive. Almost everything around the home can feel significant to us because we’ve learned to rely on our way of life, including our little pleasures. Who’s to say that your beautiful hardwood floors that you hand-picked yourself aren’t anything special? Your insurance company, most likely. It’s better to set your expectations and learn in advance what counts as functional property damage.
Functional property damage in Palm Beach might include:
- Holes in the walls and roof
- Active leaks in the ceiling
- Missing roof shingles
- A cracked foundation
- Rotten support beams
- Mold growth from water damage
- Broken windows or glass doors
There are seemingly endless counts of functional damage that you might encounter. You can simply boil it down to any type of damage that threatens your property’s overall longevity or anything that directly impacts performance. For the safest bet, you can always run it by an experienced public adjuster near you.
Cosmetic Damage – Your Property’s Beauty Standards
Any proud property owner would prioritize every aspect of their property, including its curb appeal. But uncovered cosmetic damage is often the harsh reality of property insurance. If it’s all about looks and nothing about functionality, you can consider yourself on your own. But don’t count out your reliable public adjuster in Palm Beach! Part of our pre-loss planning program is helping you figure out what’s covered (and what’s not) so you can be better prepared the next time you need to file a claim.
Cosmetic property damage that might not be covered by insurance companies in Palm Beach includes:
- Dents in the walls or siding
- Paint chips or scratches
- Faded or stained paint
- Minimal roof granule loss
- Worn-out or buffed cabinets
- Scratches on glass windows
- Faded carpets or hardwood floors
It’s always better to get a second opinion from a seasoned public adjuster who might be able to identify cosmetic property damage that has been miscategorized or has the potential to evolve into functional damage over time.
We Know What You Qualify For. Call Altieri Insurance Consultants Palm Beach Today For Insurance Claims Services You Can Count On!
It’s not your job to sort out types of property damage. It’s ours. Reach out to Altieri Insurance Consultants Palm Beach today at (813) 247-4757 and let us handle your next property insurance claim!
