4 Most Common Fire Damage Insurance Claims
If you’re a home or business owner, fire damage can have a significant impact on your finances, and dealing with its aftermath can be equally devastating. However, what can be surprising for many people are the other damages caused by fire, apart from the structural ones.
Due to this reason, it is better to be equipped with the necessary information for fire loss insurance claims, prior to the incident.
Here, we’ll go over the other fire damages and ways to make sure you can claim the insurance on them.
1. Soot and Smoke Damage
Surprisingly, major damage from a fire is not only from the fire itself but from the soot and smoke residues. Places that are not even directly involved in the fire can be at huge risks, increasing the repair and replacement costs.
Exposure to Soot and smoke can also result in several health issues like respiratory issues, heart attack, premature birth, etc.
Insurance will cover damages related to Soot and Smoke only if they’re documented properly. Experts on this issue will also be provided by the insurance company to recover any damages possible.
2. Water Damage
Firefighters spraying water and Automatic Water Sprinklers both may cause serious water damages. These damages include structural and surface damages. As a result of the water, Mold can damage the doors and walls of a home.
Appliances, furniture, and carpets are examples of surface damages. These damages add to the expenses by a significant amount. Health issues, especially in infants, are caused by mold.
Insurance companies will cover mold damages as a result of the fire. However, you will have to make sure to call the emergency restoration service as soon as possible.
3. Chemical Damage
The toxic fumes and chemicals released in the air after a fire can cause severe health risks. These Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
can have long-term health damage or can even be lethal if someone inhales them. Experts need to thoroughly assess the home after any fire, to ensure safety.
Insurance Policies cover the costs of any replacement or repairment due to chemical damages. Furthermore, they even cover the costs of accommodation and emergency expenses in case of severe damage.
4. Additional Invisible Damages
After the fire dies down, the risks are still there and quite alarming. Soot, VOCs, and other toxic chemicals still remain in the air and can cause severe health problems. Soot particles, 2.5 PM in size, are invisible to the naked eye.
Insurance policies cover all the visible and invisible damages that root in the fire. The only requirements are proper documentation and proof that the damage is a result of the fire.
Insurance Limitations after a Fire
Insurance companies are supposed to cover all damages sourced from the Fire. However, there may be some important requirements in order to collect:
● Inform the insurer as soon as possible
● Cancel all debit/credit cards lost or damaged
● Police report in case of crime scene
● Preventive measures for further possible damage
How Crestview Public Adjusters Can Help
Contact a Public adjuster to maximize your insurance claims and prevent financial losses due to tricky insurance company policies. They will collect the required documents and proofs, aiming for a fair settlement for you.
