FIRE CLAIMS

The best answer is to entrust that responsibility to our expertise. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will review your policy, get multiple repair estimates, speak with and negotiate with your carrier, present evidence and oversee the entire claims process to obtain the highest settlement your policy allows.

Generally, the term refers to damages caused by fire to a building’s structure, to include walls, floors, the roof; coverage also extends to personal property such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment. Most standard homeowners and business insurance policies, for example, include the cost of repairs or replacement.

The answer here is, “It depends.” Typical homeowners or business insurance policies will cover fire damages and losses when the cause of the fire is anything other than arson. In most states, this includes fires that are caused by wildfires, unless the home of business is in what is termed a “high-risk” area.

After a fire, your insurance carrier will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage to your property and provide an estimate for repairs and/or replacement. They will also investigate the cause of the fire, then after a few weeks, you will be contacted with your carrier’s settlement offer.

The steps are as follows: contact your carrier immediately to report the fire, document the damage with photos and videos, secure your property, wait for the insurance carrier to inspect the damage, get estimates for repairs/replacement, and receive a settlement offer from your insurance company.

First, review and understand your policy including its limitations. Be sure that your claim includes thorough damages documentation, a comprehensive inventory of lost and damaged property, receipts for related expenses, and that it is filed within the timeframe recommended by your insurance carrier.

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers will oversee your claim from start to finish. We will ensure that it is well-documented including an inventory of your possessions, receipts, and that further property damage is mitigated, negotiate with your carrier, and optimize your settlement offer within your policy limits.

The strongest argument for using a public adjuster is that settlements made through our intervention are usually between 25% to 40% higher than for fire damage claims that are submitted by home and business owners. Our experience and expertise make a big difference in the payout offer you receive from your carrier.

Make sure the amount of damage exceeds your deductible amount; ask for an advance from your carrier to defray temporary living costs; secure the damaged premises, file your claim asap, get repair estimates, keep receipts of living expenses, above all, keep paying your premium. Partner with the United team to ensure a smooth claims process.

The insurance company adjuster will visit the damaged premises for an inspection. During this tour, they will gather sufficient information that will be used by the carrier to process the claim and to calculate your settlement offer; be aware that this can take weeks or even months if you opt to handle the claim on your own.