Fire Insurance Claims – What to Do Before and After Your Loss

In order to ensure you are adequately protected in the wake of significant fire damage to your home or property, it is essential first and foremost to buy and maintain property insurance. Make sure that your policy provides protection for your various assets and that the coverage amounts are sufficient.

Secondly, be sure to keep your policy and endorsements, and any amendments, in a fireproof safe deposit box. If your insurance policy was destroyed in the fire, request a certified copy from your insurance agent or company immediately. You need to know what coverage you have and what you can make a claim for in order to receive everything to which you are entitled.

Don’t delay in reporting your claim. The sooner you can let your insurance company know about the fire, the better. Your policy may provide you with benefits that can help you live somewhere else while your home is either rebuilt or repaired, as well as pay for other living expenses. After you report your claim, write down your claim number and keep it in highly accessible location, along with the name and number of your adjuster.

Read your policy

After any fire loss, you should take time to read your policy. It’s important to know what your coverages are, as well as the limits of those coverages. Property insurance policies also often include time limits for many things, including:

• Submitting a proof of loss
• Recovering replacement cost
• The length of time living expenses are covered
• Suing the insurer

It’s important for you and your contractor to be aware of these items. If there are sections of your policy that you do not understand, do not be afraid to ask for an explanation. If you don’t understand, have a lawyer review it.

Know the type of adjuster who will assess your damage

Find out if the adjuster coming to your home to assess the damage is an independent adjuster hired by your insurer or an employee of the insurance company. If an independent adjuster, find out if the adjuster is authorized to make decisions about your claim and make payments as a third-party working for your insurance company.

Receipts and records

Expect to receive some pushback from your insurance company. If this happens, have documentation ready to assert your claim.  Keep receipts for everything you have to purchase after the fire. This paper trail can help you prove your claim for additional living expenses and your entitlement to other coverages.

It may also be a good idea to shoot a video of your home and its contents each year when your policy renews. This will help you document the items you own and their condition. Be sure to keep your video recordings and any photos you take in a fireproof safe deposit box. While such a video is normally required by an insurance policy, it can help during the claim process.

Create your own records and notes

Keep clear and understandable notes of your conversations with your claims adjuster. As well, record the events of your case as they transpire. It’s important to have your own record of what occurs during the claims process.

After the fire event, take photographs and/or videos of the damage before any repair work is done. Make a list of all damages and damaged items as a result of the fire and its aftermath. Do whatever is possible to minimize any secondary damage from occurring. Your insurance agent or adjuster are good people to ask about what steps can be taken to minimize additional damage.

In advance of talking to the adjuster, you may want to prepare by obtaining a repair estimate from a qualified contractor of your own choosing. Be sure to save receipts for any cleanup efforts, emergency repairs and associated costs you incur, even including the expenses of staying at a hotel temporarily. All this may fall under the additional living expenses portion of your policy.

Fight back as necessary

Don’t simply file your claim and sit back and wait for everything to happen. Follow-up and check in with your insurance company, adjuster, or agent regularly about the progress of your claim. Don’t accept a denial of your claim or even a small claim offer that is far below that to which you are entitled under your policy.

The Tennessee insurance dispute lawyers at McWherter Scott & Bobbitt understand the complexities that sometimes occur with claims involving fire damage. If you are having trouble dealing with an insurance company and getting your claim approved, allow our team of experienced attorneys to help you obtain the compensation you are owed based on your policy. We are able to serve you in Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Jackson, Knoxville, and throughout Tennessee. To arrange a free consultation with Clint Scott, Brandon McWherter or Jonathan Bobbitt, call us at 731-664-1340 or fill out our contact form.