Fire can be one of the most upsetting things to strike any property. The stress that homeowners will feel would become more severe as they go along in facing fire damage in their broken homes.

As fire threats are becoming an increasingly prevalent phenomenon, some insurance companies are constantly cutting corners on fire insurance claims in an attempt to increase their profits.

After a fire, homeowners often end up losing important personal belongings and expensive items, such as furniture and electronics. The last thing you need in such a situation is your insurance company giving you a hard time with regard to your claim.

What to Do When Facing Fire Damage?

1. First Things First, Check Your Policy

When facing fire damage, the first thing you have to do is to check your policy and call your insurance company. Even if you have replacement coverage for your home you actually may only have “actual cash value” for the personal items that were lost. When you call your insurance company, your agent should notify you about this and suggest buying an endorsement so that your belongings will be covered under a replacement policy.

2. Secure Your Property

Homeowner’s coverage requires you to take reasonable steps to minimize further property damage and losses when facing fire damage. In simple terms, this is known as your duty to mitigate damages. These steps are fairly small and easy to do, such as covering leaking areas with plastic wrap or turning off the water if you discover a huge pipe burst. Your insurance company will most likely pay these costs when you make your claim.

3. File Your Claim Immediately

Another important thing to do when facing fire damage right after the incident is to file your claim immediately. Every homeowner’s policy will require you to report your loss as soon as possible. You will need to make a call to your agent and submit a “proof of loss claim” in which you will list the items you lost in detail and also provide the value of each. The longer you wait, the lower you fall down on the insurer’s list, and the more time it will take before an adjuster is finally sent to your doorstep to deal with your claim.

4. Always Keep Track Of Your Living Expenses

Every homeowner’s policy will include a loss of use clause, which entitles you to adequate reimbursement for living expenses while you’re out of your home. Keep in mind that these expenses only include additional living expenses. This means the difference between what it costs you to live on a daily basis and what it is costing you now. For example, if you ate the majority of your meals at home and your groceries cost you $500 a week and now, after a fire, you’re eating out and spending $650 a week, you can claim only that additional $150.

Repairing valuables when facing fire damage is a lengthy process, and dealing with your insurance company can be difficult if you are not familiar with it. If you’ve experienced a small isolated fire or a complete burndown, you need a property restoration company to properly assess the damages. At Superior Restoration, our 24/7 operating team is ready to take your call and dispatch their highly experienced fire restoration professionals to your home or office. You can reach us on our website here, or for emergency needs call us on our 24/7 service number: (949) 506-3652