Few homeowners have experience dealing with fire damage insurance claims.
Fortunately for you, thousands of homeowners deal with fire damage insurance claims every year. There’s plenty of information to help you navigate a complex claim.
What should you expect on your fire damage insurance claim? How can you prepare? Here are some of the things to expect when making a homeowners insurance claim for fire damage:
Secure the Scene: You discover the fire. Call emergency services immediately. Make sure people are safe. Take any steps (if safe) to further protect your property. Don’t risk your life to save your stuff. Let the professionals handle the hard work.
Prevent Further Damage: After the fire has been put out and the scene is secure, take steps to limit further damage. Your insurer requires you to do this. You can’t just leave a hole in your roof, for example, and expect your insurer to cover a rainstorm the next week. Place a tarp over holes in your roof. Secure the scene as much as possible.
Begin the Claim: If you haven’t already done so, contact your insurer to initiate the claim. Your insurer will open a claim file, then advise you on the next steps.
Wait for the Adjuster: The home insurance adjuster will arrive at your property or advise you on the next steps. The adjuster will analyze the scene and determine the appropriate steps to take.
Accept Emergency Funds: Your adjuster should authorize emergency funds to cover hotel accommodations, emergency restoration, and other costs. Accept these funds and move onto the next steps.
Work with a Restoration Company: Your insurer may recommend contacting a restoration company immediately to secure the scene. This emergency restoration company will begin the process of restoring your property to pre-loss condition.
Get Multiple Estimates: Your insurer may recommend a contractor, and that contractor could provide an accurate estimate. Consider getting a second estimate for added peace of mind.
Document Everything: Document all damage to your property. Take lots of photos and videos. Keep all receipts from contractors and restoration companies. Track additional living expenses, including hotel accommodations and meals out.
If all of this is overwhelming, then that’s okay! It’s a frightening process for anyone to handle. Consider hiring a public adjuster for assistance. A good public adjuster will navigate the claim, deal with the insurer on your behalf, and fight for the highest amount of compensation possible. A good public adjuster can help you double or even triple a fire damage insurance payout.
Fortunately for you, thousands of homeowners deal with fire damage insurance claims every year. There’s plenty of information to help you navigate a complex claim.
What should you expect on your fire damage insurance claim? How can you prepare? Here are some of the things to expect when making a homeowners insurance claim for fire damage:
Secure the Scene: You discover the fire. Call emergency services immediately. Make sure people are safe. Take any steps (if safe) to further protect your property. Don’t risk your life to save your stuff. Let the professionals handle the hard work.
Prevent Further Damage: After the fire has been put out and the scene is secure, take steps to limit further damage. Your insurer requires you to do this. You can’t just leave a hole in your roof, for example, and expect your insurer to cover a rainstorm the next week. Place a tarp over holes in your roof. Secure the scene as much as possible.
Begin the Claim: If you haven’t already done so, contact your insurer to initiate the claim. Your insurer will open a claim file, then advise you on the next steps.
Wait for the Adjuster: The home insurance adjuster will arrive at your property or advise you on the next steps. The adjuster will analyze the scene and determine the appropriate steps to take.
Accept Emergency Funds: Your adjuster should authorize emergency funds to cover hotel accommodations, emergency restoration, and other costs. Accept these funds and move onto the next steps.
Work with a Restoration Company: Your insurer may recommend contacting a restoration company immediately to secure the scene. This emergency restoration company will begin the process of restoring your property to pre-loss condition.
Get Multiple Estimates: Your insurer may recommend a contractor, and that contractor could provide an accurate estimate. Consider getting a second estimate for added peace of mind.
Document Everything: Document all damage to your property. Take lots of photos and videos. Keep all receipts from contractors and restoration companies. Track additional living expenses, including hotel accommodations and meals out.
If all of this is overwhelming, then that’s okay! It’s a frightening process for anyone to handle. Consider hiring a public adjuster for assistance. A good public adjuster will navigate the claim, deal with the insurer on your behalf, and fight for the highest amount of compensation possible. A good public adjuster can help you double or even triple a fire damage insurance payout.