Renters Insurance

One thing we commonly run across as we handle claims involves content losses in a tenant/landlord relationship. Most landlords have purchased property insurance to protect them financially if a catastrophe occurs. However, most often, renters have no coverage for their contents which are also affected by the loss. Whether fire, smoke or water damage, the loss of contents can be significant. The sad fact is that renters insurance is extremely affordable. So, fi you are a renter, there are a couple of articles I'd like to refer you to for more information. First, follow this hyperlink to the Savannah Morning News: http://savannahnow.com/node/539646 . Here the writer expresses his own experience with a loss as a renter and the good result he had since he had renters coverage. Second, check out this link to Georgia State University's Center for RMI Research: http://rmictr.gsu.edu/FAQS/renters.htm. This is an excellent resource with information regarding renters insurance as well as answers to common questions.

With so many homeowners facing foreclosure in these times of financial crisis, I hope that this information will be helpful and informative to the growing number of those in a tenant/landlord situation. And I hope that if a catastrophe strikes, you'll be among those with coverage to protect your valuable property!

Jerry Quarles - Senior Estimator

I've never had a claim...how does my insurance claim get paid?

The whole insurance claim process can be confusing.  Its true that your insurance company approves the scope of the repairs and provides the claim funds.  But your contractor (not the insurance company) is responsible for performing satisfactory repairs, and you the homeowner (not the insurance company) are ultimately responsible to make sure that your contractor gets paid.

A common question people have is 'what do I do with my deductible?'  Your insurance company will 'deduct' your insurance deductible from the total claim funds that they pay.  If you have a total claim of $10,000.00 and your deductible is $1,000.00, your insurance company will pay $9,000.00 and your $1,000.00 deductible is to be paid by you directly to your contractor. 

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What a disaster!!!

What a disaster!  Water can be a mighty and destructive force.  And now your plasma television is dripping and your shoes are ruined.  But those aren’t the things that have your heart breaking.  It’s the antique photo of your grandparents on their wedding day setting right beside your own wedding photo and both are wrinkling and peeling as a photo album floats past you on the floor.  Everything else is replaceable, but those moments captured in an image on paper can never be duplicated. They are your memories, your trips, your precious loved ones and your family history. 

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One Thousand Firsts

The anniversary of my 8th year with Champion is fast approaching. There are many stories to relate in this bittersweet industry. Cries of devastation from homeowners at the beginning of a loss turn into sighs of relief and reflective appreciation at the job’s completion. I’d like to think I’ve seen it all yet every so often I am surprised. But when you see me at your home ready to do my part to put your life back together, this one fact remains constant: whether it is my 100th or 1000th job, I am ever-conscious that it is your first loss. So, in essence, it also becomes mine again. I treat every job as if it is the first because every person is different and every situation is unique. I care about what has happened to you and how it is affecting you. So go ahead and cry if you need to. You’ve been devastated and no person, even if they have been through something similar, can possibly understand exactly how you feel. I’ll hand you a tissue and give you a moment. When you’re ready we’ll walk through your house and anything that is important to you is important to me and when I tell you to call me if you have questions or forgot to tell me something, I mean it. We’re all in this together and all want the best possible outcome. One day it will all be a distant memory but when you think of it I hope the process leaves you with a warm feeling.

Chloe L. Hudson - Senior Contents Technician

Have You Seen Our Wraps Around Town?

In 2008 we embarked on a mission to "brand" Champion.  Part of that mission was to wrap our vehicles.  I am happy to say that this week we will have our 14th vehicle wrapped!  This may not seem like a big deal - but as the person who designs these wraps it is a huge deal!  Each time we send a vehicle to be wrapped, I anxiously wait for it to return so I can see the final product.  It's nerve-racking and exciting, although it shouldn't be because the company that does them for us has always been great.  In case you're wondering, it's Gregory's Quality Printing in Powder Springs, GA (www.gqpinc.com) - I thought I should give them a plug.  Below are a sample of some of the wraps we've done.  Let us know how you like them or just if you see them around.

Summer Bishop - Marketing Support

Give Your Hardwood Floors a True Refresher!

Everyone loves the look of well maintained, beautiful hardwood floors.  Maintenance is the key word.  It's hard in today's fast paced world to have work done in the home.  Most of us only know traditional sand and finishing as the way to restore a floor.  With that being such a project, many have tried to refresh their floors themselves by using products that are simply mopped onto the floor.  Unfortunately, many of these people are very unsatisfied with the results, even feeling that the floor looks worse afterward.  The application is not easy and shows every imperfection in the way it was applied.  The sheen also dulls over a short time and is not the natural sheen that the floor was made to have.  Sometimes the floor starts to look hazy, have a white film, or the product starts flaking.

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The Very Beginning of Champion...

Most people don't know that Champion's Founder, Joel Reets and Champion's Construction Manager, Larry Banach grew up together in Erie, Pennsylvania.  Joel founded Champion in 1970 and Larry joined him in 1994.  Here is a picture we came across of little Joel and Larry together on a construction site.  Who could have know then that it was just the first of many construction projects they would be on together?

Summer Bishop - Marketing Support

A Good Time Was Had by All...

Today we hosted a continuing education course for insurance agents and adjusters about wood floor drying.  We enjoyed having those ladies and gentlemen with us (as always) and it seemed that they had a good time, too.  Lunch from Cafe Pig was a real treat.  We're already looking forward to the next one, March 17, about Ethics. 

Today was an especially exciting day for us because the speaker was one of our very own, Jeremy Reets.  He shared a lot of valuable information about how the innovative Thermal Energy System (TES) he developed himself can be used (among other things) to save hardwood floors that would previously have been unsalvageable.  This saves time and money, is environmentally friendly, and spares homeowners a lot of stress and grief. 

Speaking isn't a new thing to Jeremy:  Every six weeks or so restorers from all over the US and beyond come to our facility for TES training.  We have a very unique "flood house" on site-- an actual house that gets flooded and dried over and over again.  One of the highlights of today's course was that the agents and adjusters got to flood the house and then see how TES is used to begin the restoration process.  Jeremy developed TES as part of his never-ending quest to find a better way to do things.  It's something I like to tease him about (I am his wife, after all) but I have to admit it's a pretty remarkable system!

Starri Reets - Event Coordinator

http://www.tesdryingsystem.com/

Service with a Smile

Customer service and satisfaction is our chief concern. If I cannot personally help you or answer any questions that you may have, I will find someone who can.

Mollie Reets - Receptionist

Fire Safety Season--Play it Safe!

 As we've been through a cold snap some may feel that they've got this auxiliary heating thing down pat. Well let's just take minute to cover some EXCELLENT reminders:

1.) Keep space heaters at least 3' from anything combustible.

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