Search
 

Textile Restoration

For years, when a homeowner suffered a property loss that included damaged clothing and other textiles, the items either were written off as a total loss or dropped off at a nearby retail dry cleaner.

By Wayne M. Wudyka | Updated on February 01, 2008

For years, when a homeowner suffered a property loss that included damaged clothing and other textiles, the items either were written off as a total loss or dropped off at a nearby retail dry cleaner. Today, insurance carriers are realizing the significant indemnity savings of restoration compared to replacement, and specialized service providers offer a viable option for reducing severity while improving customer satisfaction.

As contents has become a large, fast growing claim category, textiles — including garments, window treatments, bedding, shoes, purses, hats, belts, rugs, and stuffed animals — have grown to encompass 23 percent of the number of items in a home, the largest component. (Electronics account for 19 percent; furniture comes in at 18 percent, along with toys, food and miscellaneous household goods; tools and equipment comprise 14 percent; and luxury goods equate to eight percent.) Homeowners’ textiles can be surprisingly valuable; a typical family of four can easily accumulate $25,000 in clothing within a few short years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Americans spent $345 billion on shoes and clothes in 2005. Additionally, heirloom-quality and one-of-a-kind specialty textiles have a high sentimental value for the insured.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free
PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader.

INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • All PropertyCasualty360.com news coverage, best practices, and in-depth analysis.
  • Educational webcasts, resources from industry leaders, and informative newsletters.
  • Other award-winning websites including BenefitsPRO.com and ThinkAdvisor.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

PropertyCasualty360

Join PropertyCasualty360

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed decisions for your P&C insurance business. Join PropertyCasualty360.com now!

  • Unlimited access to PropertyCasualty360.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including BenefitsPRO.com, ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on PropertyCasualty360, National Underwriter, Claims and ALM events

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join PropertyCasualty360

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.