Going Back to the Basics of Insurance Claims

Kristi Richard • November 9, 2022

For most of us, buying a home is a huge milestone and one of the biggest investments we will ever make. Purchasing the right insurance coverage for your home is paramount, and you need to make sure you understand what is covered and is not covered under your homeowner's policy. If you ever need to file a claim, you will be glad you took the time to learn about your policy and its coverages. 


What is Covered? 

In the insurance world, the word peril means something that caused damage and loss to your property. There are 16 perils commonly covered in most or all policies:  

  • Fire 
  • Lightning 
  • Wind and Hail 
  • Explosions 
  • Riots 
  • Damage Caused by Aircraft and Vehicles 
  • Smoke 
  • Volcanic Eruption 
  • Vandalism 
  • Theft 
  • Falling Objects 
  • Weight of Snow, Ice, or Sleet (Ice Dams) 
  • Sudden and Accidental Discharges/Overflows of Water 
  • Sudden Tearing and Cracking of Appliances, Freezes, and Power Surges


In coastal areas, hurricanes are covered, but usually come with high deductibles. However, paying the $5K or percentage deductible is much more affordable than having no insurance and sustaining $50K of damages.


What is Not Covered and Why You Need It  

You may be thinking, there are other instances where I might need coverage. What if the sewer backs up into my home? What if water enters my home during a flood event? These occurrences are not typically covered under your homeowner's policy. 


All insurance carriers will allow a rider, or optional coverage feature for sewage back-ups. Flood insurance can be purchased through your agent and is run through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). Flood insurance will cover up to $250,000 of damage to a home.  


Furthermore, there are private property options as well that you should discuss with your agent. If you have a mortgage and live in a flood zone, you are REQUIRED by your lender to purchase flood insurance. You and your agent can find something that works best for you and your needs. Homes with mortgages that have minimal risk and that are not located in flood zones are not required to purchase flood insurance.  


You should also know that a high percentage, or about 40% of flood claims come from outside the higher risk areas. It only takes 1 inch of water to cause over $30K worth of damage to your home. You must ask yourself, is the coverage worth the extra $600 premium a year? I would hope that answer is always a firm yes. 


Finally, if you have experienced a loss and plan to file an insurance claim, call Guarantee Restoration Services and let us help you through the claim process. Our Claims team of professionals is ready to help you get back to normal quickly and efficiently. We will negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf so that you can worry less and focus on getting your life back to normal.  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
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