We learn throughout our lives how to escape a fire if it occurs, keeping yourselves and others safe and leaving your belongings no matter how prized they may be. The aftermath is even worse once the shock of it all wears off, you’re left with the thought what do i do next?
Fire Damage Coverage
For most insurance companies, damages made by fire should be under your insurance. You will also get additional living expenses if the repairs make your home inhabitable. Therefore, you should keep all receipts if you are not living in your home and waiting for a reimbursement check.
In many instances, if insurance companies concluded that the fire was made due to arson, they will most likely not cover for the damages because arson is a criminal offense and most arson crimes were done because they simply just want insurance money to collect. Also, if a fire started in an empty home that has been vacant for 30 days, this is grounds for a denied insurance claim
If you feel like your insurance company did not give it their all in helping you restore your property, contact a Churchill public adjuster so we can assist you in getting the right monetary settlement that you need. We will also explain and give you status updates on your claim and negotiate for you with your insurance company.
How to File A Fire Damage Insurance Claim
If you are sure to be covered under your insurance policy and want to know what to do next, some tips you can follow are:
- Document and take photographs or videos of all the damages the fire made
- Write descriptively of the damages
- Date, time, and location of the fire
- Home condition
- Injuries that were done
Precautions to Take After A Fire:
- Call the fire department to put out the fire
- Never enter your property unless authorities say you can
- If they say it’s safe, watch out for damages that may have caused it
- Don’t walk on unstable floorboard and flimsy roofs
- Call your insurance agent as soon as you can
Fires and Your Health
Smoke inhalation is hazardous to your health especially if you’ve inhaled a lot of smoke. Studies show that even if you’re exposed to smoke even for a small amount, it can cause throat, eyes, nose irritability and if exposed to carbon monoxide, it can diminish alertness and provoke any heart conditions. Individuals who are exposed to smoke from fires and live in a very high air pollution, it can cause an increase in cardiovascular and chronic diseases.
How to Prevent Fire:
Some precautionary measures you need to take to keep your Palm Beach home or business safe are:
- Invest in a working fire extinguisher
- Invest in a working fire alarm
- Install a fire door in your kitchen or anywhere you’d like
FAQ
What can I clean by myself?
Cleaning a damage made by the fire is hazardous to you and your health. Depending on the extent of the damages, always wait until firefighters tell you it is safe for you to enter the premises of your property. Even then, always be cautious and aware of what you’re cleaning. If it’s only a small portion of your property, gather only your personal belongings and valuables that may not have been damaged such as your checkbooks, wallet, insurance information and anything of that nature and try to save a lot of items that aren’t as destroyed as others. If it’s a big portion or your entire home, entering may not be permitted thus cleaning it by yourself is not advisable.
What can I bring with me after the fire?
Items that you can take are your medications (if you have any), checkbooks, important personal documents, insurance papers, and valuable collections.
How long will it be until my home is fully restored?
There is no typical time-frame because each situation varies, depending upon the valued estimate of the damages. If only one room is destroyed, it can take a lot longer than an entire home.
I forgot to get something from my home, am I allowed to go in and get it?
Yes, you are, if the fire department allows you to get it. If you’ve been gone for a long time, a technician from your insurance will likely help you get in.
