How Do I File a Claim After a Fire?

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

After A Fire, How Can I File A Claim?

A fire at your business can not only seriously damage your property but completely shut down your business operations. Filing a fire claim is an essential first step to getting your business operating normally again.

Review Your Policy

Start by reviewing your policy. Pay particular attention to the details:

• Steps you need to take
  
• Limits of your policy
  
• Deductibles and co-insurance

Most insurance policies require you to follow a particular procedure to report your claim, make temporary repairs and gather documentation. Your policy should clearly state the limits of the coverage for fire damage and other losses, such as business interruption. Finally, most policies have deductibles and co-insurance amounts that you must pay before your insurance pays anything.

Gather Information To File Your Fire Claim

When you call the insurance company, you will be asked to provide information, such as the date the fire happened, where the fire happened, whether anyone was hurt and anything you know about why the fire started. Have this information, along with your policy number, ready when you call.

Ask About Immediate Assistance

Fire restoration may take a long time to complete. When you call your insurance company, ask about immediate assistance, such as money to lease a facility you can use to run your business operations while your building is being repaired or to hire a fire remediation company in Metro Park, OK, to begin cleaning up the damage.

Document Your Loss

Take photos of your damaged property. Make an inventory of damaged contents. If you have any documentation, such as invoices, that prove the value of your damaged or destroyed property, gather them together. You can get some estimates for the repairs, but your insurance company will probably send out an adjuster to do an estimate before it will approve any amounts. The process of filing a fire claim is fairly straightforward. However, knowing what to expect can help you avoid frustration along the way.