General information, not advice on your policy
This guide describes how fire claims commonly work. Every policy is different, and your policy, your insurer and your state's rules decide what's covered and how. Get Fire Damage Pros has no part in any insurance claim, and nothing here is a promise about what an insurer will pay. If you're unsure about your coverage, ask your agent or insurer, or a lawyer.
The parts of a typical homeowners policy
Most homeowners policies are organized around a few kinds of coverage. Your declarations page, usually near the front of the policy, lists which you have and the limits for each.
- Dwelling. The house itself: framing, roof, walls, built-in fixtures.
- Other structures. Detached garages, sheds and fences.
- Personal property. Your belongings. Policies differ on whether they pay replacement cost or actual cash value, which takes depreciation into account.
- Loss of use. Additional living expenses while the home isn't livable, such as temporary housing and extra costs, within the policy's limits.
Renters policies usually cover personal property and loss of use, but not the building.
What the adjuster does
The adjuster works for the insurance company. Their job is to inspect the damage, decide what the policy covers and estimate what the covered repairs should cost. Homeowners often work closely with their adjuster after a fire. Ask early what the adjuster wants to see before anything is removed, how they want emergency work handled and documented, and how payments will be made.
Estimates and scopes of work
Insurers and restoration companies commonly use estimating software that breaks a job into line items: square feet of drywall, linear feet of trim, hours of cleaning, days of equipment. The insurer's estimate and the restoration company's estimate may differ. That's normal, and it isn't necessarily a sign that either is wrong. Differences are usually worked out item by item: a material the adjuster didn't see, a room the smoke reached, a code requirement.
Supplements
Fire damage is often hidden. When walls are opened, crews may find charred framing, wet insulation or damaged wiring nobody could see at the first inspection. A request for additional payment for newly found damage is often called a supplement. Ask your restoration company to photograph hidden damage when it's found and to explain it in writing.
Choosing who does the work
You choose who works on your home. Your insurer may suggest companies, and you can ask what your policy and your state's rules say about that, but a suggestion isn't a requirement unless your policy says so. Be careful with any document that assigns your insurance benefits to a contractor: read it fully before signing, and ask your insurer or a lawyer if you're unsure what it means.
Public adjusters and other help
Some homeowners hire a public adjuster, an independent claims professional who represents the policyholder rather than the insurer, usually for a percentage of the settlement. Whether that makes sense depends on the claim. Your state's insurance department publishes consumer information about claims and can take complaints if something goes wrong.
Keep it organized
- Write down your claim number and every person you speak to, with the date.
- Keep every receipt for costs caused by the fire, including hotels, meals and clothing.
- Keep copies of every estimate, scope of work and inventory.
- Ask for important decisions in writing, by email if possible.
- Photograph damage before it's removed and keep the photos in one place.
Questions to ask your insurer
- What does my policy cover for this fire, and what are the limits?
- Do you want to inspect before anything is removed?
- How should emergency board-up and drying be documented?
- Does my policy include loss-of-use coverage, and what does it pay for?
- How will payments be made, and who will the checks be made out to?