No matter how cautious you are, you can't always prevent disasters such as a fire from happening. Dealing with damage to your structure and the loss of personal belongings after the fire has happened is already a devastating experience. Knowing what steps to take to file a fire insurance claim and get access to the funds you need to restore your property can be equally frustrating.
We want you to know how to successfully file a fire damage insurance claim. Learn how to deal with an insurance adjuster after a house fire with the following helpful tips.
FILE YOUR FIRE DAMAGE INSURANCE CLAIM RIGHT AWAY
Call your insurance company right away to file a fire insurance claim. Even if you don't know the extent of the damage that's occurred after the fire, your insurance agent can work with you to help you determine what to do next to mitigate your losses. If you fail to file immediately, it could have a negative impact on your claim.
GATHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELEVANT TO YOUR FIRE INSURANCE CLAIM
Providing as much information as possible to your insurance company could help you recover faster financially. When you file a fire insurance claim, your insurance adjuster may ask you to provide certain information, such as:
A LIST OF YOUR LOSSES
Document the entire process of recovering after the fire from start to finish. Make a detailed list of everything you've lost in the fire. To make it easier to document everything, take photos or videos of the damage before you begin clean-up. Presenting visual documentation to your insurance adjuster may make the claims filing process run more smoothly.
ANY COST OF LIVING EXPENSES AFTER THE FIRE
If you're unable to live in your house because of extensive fire damage, your insurance company may be able to provide you with immediate, temporary assistance. Keep receipts from hotel stays, restaurants, gas money, laundry expenses, and costs associated with fire damage restoration expenses to present to your insurance company.
If you opt to live with family or friends while you're undergoing the fire damage restoration process, your insurance company may be able to reimburse your hosts for the costs of your stay, too. Ask your host to make a list of itemized expenses that you can provide to your insurance company.
FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS
After the fire, get copies of the fire department's report to present to your insurance company. Firefighters may have cut holes in your roof or broken through windows to let heat and smoke escape, and those damages may be covered by your fire insurance. If applicable, obtain reports from the police or hospital as well.
REPAIR ESTIMATES
Contact a fire damage restoration company like ServiceMaster Restoration Services to provide you with a written estimate that you can present to your insurance company. Make sure the company looks over everything in your home before you throw anything away – you may be surprised at what can be restored by experienced professionals.
REMAIN IN COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR INSURANCE AGENT
Continue working with your insurance company on anything else they may need to get your fire damage insurance claim settled. Stay in communication with your fire damage restoration company to ensure that the remediation process is going as scheduled, too.
Our goal is to help you successfully recover from any disaster. Take the necessary steps to keep your family prepared ahead of time.
CALL US, THE EXPERTS
Finally, if you need help after a fire or other disaster, contact us, the professionals. We're available 24/7 to help you return to normal. We’ll even work with your insurance to make the process as smooth as possible for you. Contact us today to learn more about our fire and smoke damage restoration services.
