Dealing with Your Insurance Company After the Fire
Strategies for finding success with the insurance adjuster following a fire or disaster
It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed after your home has been damaged by fire, whether it’s the result of an accident or arson. Fortunately, though, you don’t need to deal with the insurance company alone — as an expert in fire damage restoration, we can provide you with helpful information that makes the process more manageable and less stressful. For example, we can help you learn how to speak with the insurance adjustor on your terms; this post will tell you everything you need to know about dealing with your insurance company after your home fire damage.
Ask About Replacement Coverage for Basic Necessities That You Didn’t Grab Before Running Out of the House (e.g. Hygiene Products, Clothing, Etc)
After your home has been damaged by fire, likely, you will still need to go about your day-to-day life while you wait for your policy to be paid out. The problem is that you might not have been able to recover all of the necessities from your home including hygiene products, clothing for work, and items of that nature.
You should review your insurance policy to see if replacement coverage is included with your policy or if there is an option for you to receive an advance against your policy that would allow you to purchase these basic items in the meantime.
While we understand you want to focus on immediate damage, it’s important to ensure that your family is taking care of their basic needs.
Do I need home contents inventory for my insurance claim?
You may be wondering whether or not you need to document your home contents inventory for a claim with your insurance company. An insurance adjuster will ask about this information if it is not provided at the time of filing a claim. It might also come up during an inspection if something is found missing or out of place. Having a home contents inventory handy will help ensure that you have everything you need to move on from this unfortunate event as quickly and smoothly as possible.
File Your Insurance Claim Right Away
If your home sustains a fire, call your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim. The sooner you do so, the more likely your insurance provider will be able to offer temporary or permanent financial assistance in addition to fixing any damages done by the fire. You can file an insurance claim over the phone if possible or speak to someone in person at one of their local branches. As mentioned in the previous section, having a copy of your home inventory list on hand when you file the claim will help you expedite the process and may even help you maximize your claim payment. Ultimately, you want to move as quickly as possible for your life to return to normal.
Things to Avoid:
Having a Bad Attitude With the Insurance Adjuster
When your home has been damaged by fire, you want to make sure you're getting the best possible service from your insurance provider. One of the most important things you can do is avoid having a bad attitude with your insurance adjuster.
When dealing with this person, it's important to remember that their job is to help you get your home back to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible. It’s important to remember that you are dealing with someone who may be more inclined to help you out as much as they can if you are kind to them.
Don’t Automatically Agree to Use Just Any Contractor Your Insurance Provider Recommends
The first thing you should do is take the time to get several quotes from different contractors who specialize in fire restoration. While it's true that many contractors are perfectly qualified for this kind of work, there are plenty of mediocre ones as well. Make sure any contractor is licensed and insured before signing anything!
You may also want to ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers for recommendations. This way, when it comes time to hire a contractor, you have a list of options from which to choose.
Call Frontier Services Group for Fire Damage Clean-up and Restoration
If your home has been damaged in a fire, be sure to contact Frontier Services Group. With more than 20 years of experience helping people recover from fire damage and other disasters, we can help you recover too. Call at 346-553-9929 or contact us today for any residential or commercial fire restoration services you may need. Our team can work with homeowners and property managers, facility managers, and facility engineers.
