The aftermath of a suicide can be overwhelming for those who were left behind. Most people never consider the possibility of this occurring in their home or business and are unsure how to handle the aftermath. When a tragic event like this happens, the cost of cleanup is the last thing we want to consider, but it is a reality that must be dealt with. Additionally, suicides leave potentially hazardous environments that necessitate professional cleaning services. Fortunately, technical cleaning companies can provide a safe, ethical, and professional service to those in need during these difficult times. These organizations collaborate with homeowners’ insurance providers to ensure that victims’ families and loved ones do not have to shoulder financial burdens in addition to emotional ones.
In this article, we will be discussing Home Insurance Coverage in the case of a Suicide Cleanup so that if you ever find yourself in this tragic situation, you will be aware of how to deal with it.
Are suicide clean-up costs covered by insurance?
The majority of insurance policies include crime scene clean-up services. If you are unsure whether your homeowner’s insurance covers crime scene cleaners, you should speak directly with your insurance adjuster. This type of clean-up is typically covered under your policy’s biohazard coverage. Typically, this type of coverage covers the clean-up not only after a crime but also after an unattended death or suicide. If an event occurs on your property, you should contact your insurance provider to assess the extent of your coverage.
The crime scene cleaning business may also be able to assist with insurance claims and can provide a cleaning cost estimate prior to beginning work. In the aftermath of a crime, crime scene clean-up businesses can handle everything, but insurance companies do not guarantee who pays, and there may be specific coverage guidelines. Keep in mind that you must speak with your adjuster, not your insurance representative. Adjusters handle existing claims, insurance, and benefits, whereas agents tackle prospective clients. They will comprehend the grey spots in your strategy and aid you in determining just what is covered.
What exactly is death clean-up coverage
After the initial shock subsides following an accident or other sad event that results in deaths in the home, there is, unfortunately, still a physical mess to clean up. Depending on the nature of the incident, and especially if a portion of the property has become a gory crime scene, there may be structural damage in addition to the bodies.
The following are a few instances where death clean-up insurance can be useful:
- Bodily Fluid Cleanup
Occasionally, fatalities leave behind blood or other bodily fluids that can discolor or seriously harm carpeting, walls, and other home fittings. Coverage can assist pay for the costs involved with the secondary cleanup level necessary following a catastrophic event.
- Body Removal
After a tragedy, death cleanup coverage can help pay for a biohazard cleaning company to extract bodies from your house securely. Typically, biohazard cleaning companies accept homeowner’s insurance as payment and may even file your claim for you.
- Property Damage
In the case that a serious accident or crime occurred in the residence, resulting in damaged windows or other physical damage, death cleanup coverage can give funding to restore or replace these elements of the residence, in addition to covering the costs associated with body removal and fluid cleanup.
The coverage for death clean-up includes not only the removal and cleanup of deceased individuals but also the repairing and cleaning of property damage. If this coverage is included in a homeowner’s policy, they can take solace in the fact that even horrific situations can be covered.
Can I clean up the crime scene myself?
The simple answer is yes, but the situation is not so straightforward. Homeowners may clean up after a suicide in their own residences, but they may not hire someone to do so unless that person is properly trained and certified. However, even if you have the skills and knowledge to clean up after a suicide, which is very different from simply cleaning your home, you will need to find a means to properly and legally dispose of the biohazards, as it is illegal to dump them in the trash.
Depending on your region, your locality may have stringent rules and regulations surrounding the transport and disposal of biohazards, which is crucial for everyone’s health and safety. Keep in mind that if you’re filing an insurance claim, your homeowner’s insurance company will demand you to utilize a qualified biohazard cleanup company and will need additional documentation and photographs from the suicide cleanup scene to verify the work was completed. Deductibles are so low that it is not worth the effort or mental stress to meet them.
Why should I hire a crime scene clean-up service?
If you cleaned up a crime scene in your home on your own, would you feel comfortable letting your family, kids, or guests back inside? The last thing you want is constantly questioning whether you cleaned your home sufficiently to make it safe. Companies that adhere to OSHA regulations and employ GBAC-certified specialists will provide you with peace of mind. Additionally, they accept all liability if you are the property owner. However, if you select a subpar bioremediation company, you will be responsible for any resulting health issues. When your health and the health of your loved ones are at stake, there’s just no reason to take that risk in the first place.
Will I be able to choose my own clean-up company?
Yes. Even if the insurance company tries to lead you toward a firm that does not specialize in biohazard cleanup and may not be qualified, you have the legal right to choose and hire any suicide cleanup provider. According to your policy, insurance companies are compelled to cover the expense. It would be best if you used a certified and competent biohazard cleanup company to protect your safety, liability, and financial stability.
The place must be clean, decontaminated, and devoid of all biohazards, including those that are invisible. Homeowners’ insurance plans will only cover suicide cleanup if a licensed biohazard cleanup company performs it. Do not allow the adjuster to convince you to hire a business that does not specialize exclusively in biohazard cleanup.
Bottom Line
Tragic situations, such as homicides and suicides, do occur, and they often happen inside a household. A tragedy can be dealt with as smoothly and efficiently as possible if the appropriate coverage is in place. Ensure that your homeowner’s insurance policy includes death cleanup coverage to provide at least some financial protection against such sad events. Check with your homeowner’s insurance provider before committing to a single coverage. In the unfortunate event that you find yourself in a situation requiring crime scene cleanup, the last thing you will want to worry about is how to pay for a company’s services. You also do not wish to bear the stress of cleaning the scene on your own. In the circumstances involving suicide cleanup, you should concentrate on healing and processing rather than cleaning up.
If you or a loved one is in need of a suicide cleanup specialist in Virginia, then Aftercare is the team you need to get in touch with as soon as possible. With more than 22 years of experience, Aftercare provides compassionate, timely, and thorough cleanup and clean-out services for commercial and residential clients in all cities in Eastern Virginia and Eastern NC. Our technicians specialize in a number of hazardous cleanup jobs. 24 hr service for Suicide, Homicide, and Unattended Death Cleanup. Virus, Disease, and Sickness Disinfection services in office and employee work areas. With the best personal protective gear, Aftercare staff has the experience to come to your site immediately and complete any cleanup from start to finish. Local law enforcement and funeral homes are trusted in every city in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
