Fire damage home insurance provides compensation following house fires, smoke damage, and other losses caused by fire. This includes the cost of replacing or repairing damaged property and accommodation costs incurred when your house is inhabitable. Even though fire damage is included in most home insurance policies, some coverages have specific exclusions.
Therefore, it is important that you understand what your coverage includes and, most importantly, how to file for a claim. Outlined below are some important things to do when filing a fire damage home insurance claim.
1. File Home Insurance Claim Immediately
After your home sustains fire damage, the first thing to do is file a home insurance claim soon. Filing the claim quicker means that you will receive the payment faster, minimize disruptions, and ensure that you settle back to your everyday life within a short period. After filing the insurance claim, the insurance company will request proof of damage to your property.
When submitting the proof of loss claim, ensure that you list all the items damaged by the fire alongside their actual value. Note that you will fall at the bottom of the list if you don’t act fast, further lengthening your compensation process. The information to include when submitting your proof of loss includes;
- Date when the incident occurred
- The exact type of loss incurred
- Location of the fire damage
- Injuries related to the incident
- Condition of your home after the incident
- Any required temporary repairs
- Police report about the incident
Like other insurance claims, dealing with homeowners’ insurance companies can be complicated. This involves several emails, calls, documents, and letters. Amidst all these, ensure that you keep all the communications and documents involved. By acting promptly to fulfill your part of the policy, the insurance company should also act swiftly on your insurance claim. Actually, some laws, such as California laws and regulations, give insurance companies a timeline to handle fire insurance claims.
2. Secure Your Property
Your insurance company will require that you take proper care of your damaged property during this period. Therefore, ensure that you take good care of your property to prevent further damage other than what was recorded in your proof of claim. However, this is unnecessary if your property is damaged in totality. Some of the tips to mitigate the damage include;
- Covering any holes in the walls or roofs
- Smoldering embers
- Boarding or building a fence around the property to prevent burglars
- Moving away from any property that is at risk of more damage
3. Verify with Your Home Insurance Coverage
If your house has sustained fire damage, understanding the minimums and maximums of your home insurance coverage is a crucial part of filing your home insurance claim. Common coverage categories include;
- Coverage A – this protects your physical living structure and helps pay for repairs or replacement to your home after fire damage. At the minimum, the cost of your dwelling should be the actual value of your home.
- Coverage C – this provides compensation for personal belongings that were damaged by fire. This includes electronic items, clothes, household appliances, and furniture. Like coverage A, this option should be close to the value of individual items.
- Coverage D – also known as coverage for loss of use, provides compensation for external living expenses incurred if your home is inhabitable and you have to move out temporarily. This pays for costs such as a hotel or rental expenses, food, gas, and other costs incurred.
4. Meet with an Adjuster
Even with your filed proof of claim, insurance companies often send a claims adjuster to verify your claims. Make sure that you meet the adjuster when he/she comes to visit your fire-damaged home. You definitely understand every part of your home better. Therefore, you are best suited to walk the adjuster around your home, especially the specific areas that were affected by the fire.
During your meeting with the adjuster, ensure that you document everything, including your coverage maximums and deductibles.
5. Find the Right Repair Estimates
The adjuster sent by your insurance company may have several home repair companies on standby waiting to rebuild or repair your home. However, you should consider getting quotes from different contractors. While the cost of replacement or repairs may not vary significantly, getting estimates ensures that you get quality and value from the cost.
Fire insurance policies enable homeowners to rebuild or repair their damaged homes. If you sign up for the actual cash value policy, you will be entitled to the exact amount required to return your home to its condition before fire damage.
On the other hand, replacement policies give you access to the cost of replacing your home and the damaged contents. That said, be cautious when choosing a contractor. Go for a contractor who not only has sufficient experience but also understands how insurance companies operate.
Conclusion
Handling fire damage is certainly challenging. However, the tips mentioned above can ease the anxiety that comes with facing fire damage.
