Homeowners aren’t insurance claim experts – and that’s okay. Most homeowners only have one or two major claims in life.
The average smoke damage insurance claim is worth around $6,700. Knowing how to approach a smoke damage insurance claim could put more money in your pocket – and help you get the payout you paid for.
Here are the top four most important things to know before filing a smoke damage insurance claim:
Understand a Typical Policy Covers Fire Damage and Smoke, Ash, or Soot Damage
Most homeowners assume their policy covers fire damage. However, house fires can also cause significant smoke, soot, or ash damage. Your insurance should cover all of this damage as well.
Some smoke and soot damage is obvious. Other damage is less obvious. Smoke and soot damage can travel throughout your home along your HVAC system, wreaking havoc in parts of your home far away from the original fire.
Your insurance company is required to cover all damage related to the fire, including smoke, ash, and soot damage.
Document Everything with Photos, Videos, and an Inventory List
Before throwing away damaged items, document everything with photos and videos. Create a list of damaged items, furniture, and possessions. Your insurer requires evidence of damage to approve your claim.
It may be tempting to throw away damaged items after documenting them. However, wait for your insurer to finish processing the claim and approving each item. Otherwise, your insurer could demand additional evidence you’re unable to provide.
Hire Professional Cleaners
Fire, smoke, and soot wreak havoc across your home. You can’t trust your home cleaning to ordinary cleaners, nor can you clean smoke and soot damage yourself. Instead, you need to hire professional cleaners.
Fortunately, most insurance policies cover the cost of hiring professional cleaners after a significant incident – like a house fire.
Professional cleaners use specialized equipment to remediate your home to pre-loss condition. They go above and beyond how you could clean your home on your own.
Professional cleaners may also have deodorization equipment, which is something you need after a house fire.
Contact a Public Adjuster to Maximize Claim Payout
Public adjusters are licensed insurance industry professionals with a proven reputation for increasing claim value. A good public adjuster can increase your insurance payout, negotiate with your insurance company for more money, and fight on your behalf to ensure you receive every penny you are owed.
Most public adjusters work on contingency, which means you don’t pay until you accept your insurer’s final offer. Many public adjusters also offer free assessments, making it easy to determine if it’s worth hiring the adjuster.
By implementing the above tips, you can maximize your fire and smoke damage insurance claim payout and get the money you are owed.