Fire Damage Insurance Claims


fira damage insurance claims - tir public adjusters los angeles

When a fire breaks out in your home or business, it can cause devastating damage to your property and belongings. Fire damage can result from various causes, such as faulty electrical wiring, malfunctioning appliances, fireplaces, electronics, candles, and other ignition sources. To prevent fire damage, you should follow basic safety precautions, such as checking your smoke alarms, keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, and maintaining your electrical equipment.

If you have fire damage, you need to understand the three main aspects of fire risk management: fire prevention, fire damage mitigation, and fire damage restoration.

Fire prevention involves taking steps to reduce the likelihood and severity of a fire. This includes having adequate fire insurance coverage, creating a fire escape plan, and keeping a fire extinguisher handy.

Fire damage mitigation involves minimizing the impact of a fire on your property and belongings. This includes documenting and inventorying your possessions, contacting your insurance company, and securing your property from further damage.

Fire damage to structure may range from a light smoke damage walls to heavy fire damage to structural components (i.e. the framing, roof, windows and frames, doors and casings, plumbing components, electrical, insulation, cabinetry, heating and cooling system and more).

Fire damage restoration involves repairing and restoring your property and belongings to their pre-loss condition. This includes hiring professionals to assess the damage, clean up the debris, and rebuild the structure.

Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may need different types of professionals to help you with the restoration process. Here are some examples:

  • If you have light structural fire damage, such as smoke damage to your walls, you may need a hygienist to inspect the air quality and a restoration company to clean and deodorize your property.
  • If you have heavy structural fire damage, such as damage to your framing, roof, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, insulation, cabinetry, heating and cooling system and more, you may need a structural engineer, an architect and a general contractor. The general contractor will hire the experts based on their trade, such as framers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, flooring specialists and more.
  • If you have personal property damage, such as damage to your furniture, clothing, jewelry, documents, collectibles, photographs and more, you may need a content restoration company to clean, repair and restore your belongings.

When you file a fire damage insurance claim, you should hire a licensed contractor to perform the claim-related repairs. You should also check your policy for code upgrade or ordinance and law coverage. This coverage pays for the additional costs of complying with the current building codes when repairing or replacing the damaged items. This coverage is especially important for older buildings that may not meet the latest standards.

If your property will be vacant for a long time due to the fire damage, your insurance company may pay for additional security measures, such as fencing and boarding up the windows and doors.

Fire damage repairs can take a long time to complete, depending on the damage’s severity and the contractors’ availability. Most insurance policies will offer coverage for additional living expenses, which includes the costs of food and temporary housing while your property is being repaired. The temporary housing should be in the same area where your property is located and similar to your damaged house in size and quality.

If you own a business affected by fire damage, you may have additional coverages for business interruption, loss of income, loss of inventory or other relevant items. These coverages can help you recover from the financial impact of the fire and resume your normal operations.

A fire damage insurance claim can be complex and stressful. You may have to deal with your insurance company, adjusters, contractors, and other parties involved in the claims process and the repairs. To make the process easier and faster, you may want to hire a public adjuster. A public adjuster is a professional who represents your interests and negotiates with your insurance company on your behalf. A public adjuster can help you get a fair settlement and avoid pitfalls or delays.

CALL US TODAY AT 888 506 1409 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION (even if you have already filed a claim with your insurance company and received a settlement or a denial).