Top 5 Tips on Fire Damage Restoration Insurance Claims

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: After a fire, the last thing you need is more stress. Learn about the fire damage restoration process by the experts at SERVPRO. See these top five tips for making the experience go smoothly.

Fires are not uncommon in Texas. Whether caused by accidents, storms, or deliberate acts, fires have become a problem for many Bee Cave, Texas homeowners. 

The team at SERVPRO knows all about cleaning up properties after an emergency. See their advice regarding fire damage restoration below.

Top 5 Tips on Fire Damage Restoration Insurance Claims

1. Request advance assistance before your claim resolves

Homeowners rarely expect a fire to break out in their home. Insurance companies can offer assistance if an unexpected emergency causes widespread damage and prevents you from accessing your finances.

If the insurance company approves a request, the client will receive a check to help pay for essential items in the interim period before finalizing their insurance claim. These funds can be used for food, shelter, clothing, and other items needed after the fire. 

Keep in mind that the company may void advance assistance if the money is spent frivolously.

2. Create a comprehensive list of lost or damaged items

Your insurer will cover the cost of goods lost in the fire.

Detailed and accurate reports can expedite processing for insurance claims and help cover as many losses as possible. Do not let time pass. Waiting to compile a list of losses can lengthen the process and cause you to forget about certain items.

You may want to keep hold of items that have fire damage since the insurance company sometimes wants to visually inspect damaged goods. 

3. Promptly file the insurance claim as soon as possible

Insurance companies commonly operate on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Delaying the filing process can only hurt the homeowner by potentially delaying the timeline for repairs.

This point demands attention due to the vast amount of information required for insurance claims. Fire damage can rack up an excess of thousands of dollars in damages, potentially requiring a proportional amount of documentation. After a fire, you will likely have claims related to fire damage, water cleanup, or mold removal. The insurance company needs all these details to figure out how to process your claim.

Some examples of information to notate can include:

• Date, types, and scope of damage
• Severity of incurred injuries
• Date and content of fire department report
• Contact information of all involved parties

4. Research and evaluate options for inspection and repair

Choosing a company may seem overwhelming, especially when dealing with everything else after the incident. However, you need to choose a professional team that can handle the full scope of the situation. 

After a fire, you will likely need:

• Flood cleanup: Firefighters and sprinklers will leave your property soaked with water damage.
• Building restoration: Floors, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces will be ruined with black smoke and damage.
• Air duct cleaning: If your HVAC is still functional, you may need to clean it to remove soot and debris.

Instead of calling different fire restoration companies, water restoration companies and mold remediation companies, choose a team that does it all. See what SERVPRO customers have to say about their fire damage restoration service.

5. Do not feel rushed to close the claim

Damage can sometimes hide in plain sight. Cases of hidden damage can prove difficult to resolve after closing the insurance claim. You want to cover every base and to address every problem before the adjuster leaves the property. Also, stay in contact with the company and let them know as soon as something new becomes apparent. 

For 20 years, SERVPRO has served Bee Cave, TX residents and the surrounding areas. Aside from offering fire damage restoration, SERVPRO offers water removal, commercial cleaning service, and other services. If you need help in the 78738 area, call SERVPRO of Lakeway / Westlake today at (512) 261-4790 for friendly and courteous service.