Total property damage from fire adds up to over 8 billion dollars per year according to FEMA.
Fire spreads fast. It can be just a matter of one to two minutes before your whole home is engulfed in flames. Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death from fire. You may not even smell some of the smoke and gases. Fire makes poisonous gases which can disorient you and make you sleepy. Do not waste precious time gathering valuables or making a phone call to a friend. Use your neighbor’s phone or your cell phone once you are out of the building. Get out of a burning building. While you can get new things, you cannot replace lives.
Each year fire departments in the United States respond to over 1,400,000 reports of fires and smoke conditions.
Before the Fire:
Inventory Everything. Be sure to make a complete inventory of everything damaged before throwing it away. Take pictures and video if possible; keep receipts and note all other expenses. You should keep these inventories and notes with the same degree of care that you keep your money because these documents will help in negotiation you’re your insurance provider. Remember that any damage resulting from the disaster can be included in your fire damage claim.
After the Fire:
The first step is to ensure your family and loved ones are accounted for and safe. Next, if your home is open to the elements or saturated from water, ensure you may enter safely by asking the fire department. Then take safe steps to collect certain key materials including ID, proof of insurance, information about medical conditions, pills or medicines, lenses or glasses, debit and credit cards, any essential banking materials including any checkbooks or recent mortgage statement, gold, cash, jewels, letters, diaries, wills, photo albums, and family heirlooms. Be sure to promptly contact your Insurer and your Mortgage provider so they are aware of the fire.
Post-Fire Cleaning Services. Also there are cleaning services you can contact including professional fire and water restoration companies.
There may be a need to take measures to mitigate the damage to your home by covering large holes between the inside and the outside. Some things you can do to protect your property from further exposure to the elements include placing a tarp over a leaking roof, affixing a board to your broken window, and covering large holes. Be sure to keep track of any expenses associated with these post-disaster steps including receipts and documentation.
Be aware that smoke, alone or in combination with fire, can cause extensive damage.
Fire and smoke not only release toxic chemicals, but can also produce toxins by breaking down the glues, construction materials, and the very structure of your home.
A fire does not have to be large or last long to cause serious smoke damage. Smoke damage can affect your home or your business and can affect anywhere air can travel including: your sofa, bed, linens, clothing, carpet, filters, air conditioners, and anything porous in the structure. Often smoke damage is covered in your insurance policy.
You are not alone. There are also professional licensed public adjusters who are ready to help you find all the hidden damage, document everything, and help you deal with the Insurance Company.
Types of Fire & Smoke Damage:
With the help of a licensed Public Adjuster, you may get a much larger settlement for your damages than on your own without the help of a Public Adjuster. The total cost of fire damage restoration can be far more than the insurance company offers. The cost of property restoration from fire and smoke damage to property can be significantly more than estimated by the insurance company. The cleanup cost can be more too. Fire damage is usually accompanied by water damage caused when extinguishing the fire and from the use of chemicals found in a fire extinguisher or used by the fire department. The total cost to repair fire smoke damage and fire water damage can be a lot more than the insurance company estimates or offers. The offer from the insurance company may seem helpful or tempting, but serious fire and smoke losses are ripe for underpayment if you do not have professional assistance on your side. Public Adjusters are licensed professionals who help you, the policyholder, to get back to your pre-loss condition and get paid all the money you deserve for your fire damage.
The information below expresses general categories of fire and smoke and is not legal advice. Your specific state laws and your specific coverage may differ in some respects. Call a public adjuster to help you better understand what is and is not covered under your specific insurance policy.
