Tips on Fire Insurance Claims

If you have had a fire in your home, and you have damages you need to repair, then you are likely to have some questions about the procedure. One of the biggest questions you may need answered is “how do I file a fire insurance claim”.

You need to begin by taking a really close look at your policy and find out what coverage you have and how much coverage you have on your policy. It is important to have a complete understanding of what type of coverage you have purchased and the procedure necessary for filing a claim before you actually start. If you do not follow correct procedure then your claim may be lengthened, delayed, or rejected. It is not a simple process to file a fire insurance claim. There is so much to do that it is possible to miss something important if you are not careful. Also, there may be more damage than you can see on the surface, so you need to consult an expert.

The first thing that will happen when you submit a claim for fire insurance is that the company will send out a loss adjuster. This is an employee of the insurance company, not an independent party. Their main objective is to save the insurance company they work for money. You need to understand their role and expect they will be looking for the cheapest fix.

The things you need to find out right away when you file a fire insurance claim are; will they cover you staying in a hotel? If not, you will need to find a place to stay. Most decent insurance policies will take care of this for you, or at least have it available. As your home is being repaired, you will need to stay elsewhere, for what could be a long period of time.

It is typical for the insurance company to have a list of contractors that they prefer to use. They will try to recommend you to use these people, as it will save the insurance company money. Depending upon your policy, you may or may not be required to use those contractors, that is something you need to check out on your individual policy.

Some people who find themselves in this predicament choose to hire an independent fire insurance appraiser to help them. The independent appraiser is a lot like the claims adjuster, but instead of working for the insurance company, the independent appraiser works for you. They are working to find the best scenario and estimates for you, not the insurance company. They will complete the many steps of the fire insurance claim on your behalf.

Independent insurance appraisers can help you decide what needs to be done first, who to hire as contractors, and take care of all of the loose ends. They will make sure everything gets done as well as dealing with phone calls, meetings, communicate with contractors, surveyors, loss adjusters, and your insurance company to be certain you have received all proceeds available from your fire damage.

Filing a claim for fire insurance is not a simple task by any means, but if you find yourself in that situation having someone on your side to help you is the way to go.

(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Claim Consulting Service – Ph: 919-669-9111 . Insurance Claim Help and questions about Independent Appraiser Services is available by visiting Insurance Claims Group | Insurance Appraisal Services | Insurance Appraisal Process | Insurance Appraisal Umpire | Fire Insurance Claims

Bookmark It