LeasingDesk™ Insurance Services, a wholly
owned subsidiary of RealPage, Inc., and a leading provider of point of
lease systems for the multifamily industry, along with American Modern
Insurance Group, the major underwriter of its liability and renter’s
insurance policies, today announced efforts to expedite the claims
process for its 47 policyholders living at the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts,
impacted by the recent tornado in Atlanta. The community was severely
damaged, destroying personal property and displacing some residents.
“Considering the magnitude of damage to the
community, it is very fortunate no one was seriously injured,”
said Dirk Wakeham, president of LeasingDesk. “Our
immediate priority is to take care of our policyholders and make
resources available to all residents of the property during this
exceptionally difficult time.”
To provide prompt assistance at the community, a team of representatives
from American Modern has opened a catastrophe claim office onsite to
expedite the claims process. The team is also providing Internet access
and cell phone use for affected residents insured by other carriers to
assist them in reaching family members or in contacting other insurance
providers to file claims.
As of March 23rd, American Modern has filed 29
"wind damage" claims, a covered peril in the resident’s
renter’s insurance policy. Based on the
extent of personal damages and individual need, qualifying residents
will receive cash advances to assist with additional living expenses.
Information is being distributed to residents regarding temporary
housing available through the Red Cross.
“The time following a natural disaster is the
most difficult and emotionally stressful for anyone affected by this
type of event,” said Bob Crowley, vice
president of claims for American Modern. “Our
team is working diligently to provide as many resources as possible to
the residents of this community and process appropriate claims on behalf
of our policyholders so they can quickly return to their normal lives.”
The 500-unit community is composed of seven buildings; however only two
structures were significantly damaged during the tornado. The roof and a
portion of the upper floor of one building were completely torn off
during the storm and several windows broken. As a result, water
penetrated the structure damaging residents’
personal property. Once American Modern adjusters are able to enter the
building, additional inspections will be conducted to determine if any
other claims are appropriate.
A video of the damage to the community is posted on YouTube and can be
viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoerZgt34qA.
The owner of the community, Aderhold Properties, Inc., requires
residents in market rate apartments at Fulton Cotton Mills Lofts to
carry insurance as a condition of residency, also known as
full-participation insurance. Tom Aderhold, president of the company,
noted, “This type of unexpected damage
underscores the value of having every resident carry renter’s
insurance in the event of a natural disaster. You never expect it to
happen to you, but when it does, there’s
peace of mind knowing your residents are protected.”
Aderhold is also the immediate past president of the Atlanta Apartment
Association.
Residents who need to file a claim with LeasingDesk Insurance Services,
or residents insured with other companies, who would like to take
advantage of Internet and cell phone access should visit American Modern’s
onsite office located at:
Fulton Cotton Mills Lofts
170 Boulevard SE, Suite A-101
Atlanta, GA 30312
1-888-AMIG-USA
To schedule an interview with a LeasingDesk or American Modern
executive, please contact Don Canfield at 303-684-0300 ext. 123 or at don@linnelltaylor.com.
Photos are available upon request.
LeasingDesk offerings are specifically designed for the multifamily
industry. The suite of products and services automates everything from
the lease application through execution of a signed lease. The product
line includes online leasing, resident screening, electronic leasing
forms, eSignatures, security deposit alternatives and renter’s
insurance. For more information on LeasingDesk, visit www.leasingdesk.com,
call 888-484-7132 or send an e-mail message to sales@leasingdesk.com.
About RealPage
Located in Carrollton, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, RealPage provides
products and services to more than 20,000 apartment communities across
the United States. Its six on-demand product lines include OneSite®
property management systems that automate the leasing, renting,
management, and accounting of conventional, affordable, and student
housing properties; CrossFire®
sales and marketing systems that boost occupancy and build retention;
YieldStar® asset
optimization systems that maximize asset valuation and investment
return; VelocityTM utility and billing services
that accelerate payments for resident charges; LeasingDeskTM
point of lease systems that streamline the leasing process; and StarFireTM
entertainment and communication services that create IP-connected
communities. For more information, please call 1-87-REALPAGE or visit www.realpage.com.
About American Modern Insurance Group
American Modern Insurance Group, founded in 1965 and headquartered in
Cincinnati, Ohio, is a provider of specialty insurance products and
services. American Modern specializes in writing physical damage
insurance and related coverages on manufactured housing and has expanded
to other specialty insurance products including coverage for site-built
homes, motorcycles, watercraft, snowmobiles, recreational vehicles,
classic autos, physical damage on long-haul trucks, extended service
contracts, excess and surplus lines coverages, credit life and related
products, as well as collateral protection and mortgage fire products
sold to financial institutions and their customers. American Modern
serves 1.3 million policyholders nationwide, and is licensed in all 50
states. Additional information on the company can be found on the
Internet at www.amig.com.
American Modern is a subsidiary of The Midland Company, which has been
in business since 1938.
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