Termite Damage
Why Do I Need a Termite Lawyer?
Termite damage can seem an overwhelming issue to tackle – especially if you are experiencing trouble with your termite bond, a type of insurance against termite infestation and damage. The Mobile, Alabama, lawyers at Tobias & Comer Law, LLC are experienced in handling cases involving termite damage. Contact us immediately if you discover termite damage in your home or business in the Mobile and Baldwin County area. We will put our expertise to work for you.
Unfortunately, subterranean termites are a reality for property owners in the south. The counties of southern Alabama, specifically Mobile and Baldwin Counties, are the most termite-infested areas in the country. Formosan termites, an aggressive species of subterranean termites, are one of the most destructive pests in the country and thrive in south Alabama’s warm, moist climate. According to the US Department of Agriculture, each year over $1 billion is spent in the United States for preventative and remedial treatment and to repair damage caused by Formosan termites.
Termites avoid light, so they are usually hidden from view while they destroy a building from the inside of the walls. Formosan termites are especially destructive and can destroy a home in a matter of months. Usually people notice termites during the “swarming season” – which usually happens in south Alabama in May each year. However, termites are active, and destructive, year-round.
What Can I Do to Prevent Termite Damage?
Business owners and homeowners alike can take certain steps to protect themselves from these terrible pests. The first thing is to protect the building by purchasing a termite bond with a reputable pest control company. There are different types of bonds on the market. Some bonds merely provide a retreatment if termite activity is found. These bonds are known as “retreatment” bonds and do not provide any remediation if termites cause damage to the property. The other common bond is known as a “repair and retreatment bond.” As the name suggests, these bonds provide for a treatment to kill the active termite infestation, but also provides coverage to repair damage to the structure at no cost to the homeowner. Repair bond premiums are typically higher than retreatment premiums, so customers trying to save money may opt to go with the cheaper option. However, that could result in costly repairs the owner must pay – repairs typically not covered by insurance.
Who is Responsible for Termite Damage?
Pest control companies must comply with the contracts they have with the owner. In addition to contractual obligations, pest control companies must also comply with regulations put forth by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, or “ADAI.” Based in Montgomery, the ADAI regulates pest control companies and the chemicals they use to treat all pests, including termites. Pest control companies must do proper mechanics of treatment when they first issue a termite bond for a property – commercial or residential – and must make sure they kill all termites with proper retreatments if a termite infestation is discovered. Further, if a contract is a repair and retreatment bond, the pest control company, or its insurer, must hire and pay for the costs to fix termite damage to the building.
If your home or business has been affected by termites, it is important to hire attorneys who are experienced in litigating and arbitrating complicated cases. Termite cases are often defended by large corporations and insurance companies that are willing to take the cases to trial or arbitration, and it is important to have experienced termite attorneys representing you who can and will see your case through to the very end. The Mobile, Alabama, lawyers at Tobias & Comer Law, LLC have over 50 years combined experience doing just that – representing people from the moment they walk through the door with a problem, through final resolution at trial or at the conclusion of an appeal.