Guide to Making a Fire Damage Insurance Claim
A house fire can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. Understanding the fire damage insurance claim process can help you take control and move forward.
From understanding your policy to documenting damage and negotiating with insurers, we’ll walk you through each critical phase, helping you avoid common pitfalls and maximising your chances of a successful outcome. Whether you’re making a claim for the first time or seeking deeper insights, this guide is designed to support you every step of the way.
Understanding Fire Damage Beyond the Flames
Fire damage can present itself in multiple ways, such as water damage, smoke contamination, and structural compromise. The intense heat generated by a fire can lead to the collapse of walls and ceilings.
Regardless of the fire’s scale, smoke can rapidly infiltrate a property. Even small fires can result in considerable damage, affecting not only the visible surfaces but also hidden areas within wall cavities, floor voids, and conduit systems. The pressure build-up during the fire can further aggravate these hidden damages. Moreover, heat can cause deterioration in plaster and brickwork, and even impact electrical and plumbing systems.
As the fire dies down, the air cools, allowing soot particles to settle on surfaces. Fires with ample oxygen tend to leave a loose, black, dusty residue, while fires lacking oxygen often leave behind a hard, greasy deposit.
These smoke residues in less accessible areas may remain unnoticed until disturbed or when surfaces are touched. If these residues encounter moisture, they can cause staining and acid erosion, with stainless steel being particularly prone to damage.
Taking this into account, dealing with a fire damage insurance claim can be complex and require many elements of reinstatement to put the property back to the way it was.
What does Fire Damage Insurance Cover?
Typically, your insurance policy will cover the repair of damage caused by the fire and, if your policy also covers contents, the replacement of damaged items. The cost of alternative accommodation is normally also covered. However, policies vary between insurers, therefore, it is important to read and review your policy documents. Many policies contain conditions that you, the policyholder, must meet in order to make a claim and it is important you know and follow these to avoid your claim being rejected or your settlement reduced.
What to do if you’ve had a fire at your home
Once you and your family are safe and the fire is out, you can begin the process of making a fire damage insurance claim.
Step 1: Notify Your Insurance Company
Logging your intent to claim with your home insurance company is the first step of the process. They will ask you questions concerning the incident and the date it occurred. If you are able, it is handy to have your insurance documents with you at the time of the call.
In some cases, the insurer may ask you to complete a claims form and provide further details of the incident and the damage that has occurred.
At this point, it is advised to begin keeping records of any correspondence between yourself and your insurer, along with any documentation and supporting evidence which may affect your claim.
Step 2: Ensure that no further damage will occur
Also known as ‘mitigating the damage’ it is your responsibility to ensure the property will not incur any further damage following the fire.
For a fire damaged property, this may include stabilising the structure or boarding up windows and doors. In some cases, your insurer will cover the cost of these works, providing they are reasonable and necessary.
Step 3: Document the Damage
You should only enter the building if a professional has confirmed it is safe. If you are able, take photos/video clips of the damage which can form part of your claim submission. Although you may feel the need to begin tidying and removing damaged items, unless it is absolutely necessary, do not throw anything out until the property has been visited by a representative of your insurer.
Step 4: Find Alternative Accommodation (if needed)
Depending on the severity of the fire damage, you may need to consider finding a temporary place to live while the property is reinstated. In most cases, your insurer will cover the cost of alternative accommodation, however, there are likely to be clauses for this which will be detailed within your policy wording.
There are various options for temporary accommodation from a hotel to a short-term tenancy. The accommodation should suit the needs of you and your family, including any pets.
Step 5: Meet with the Loss Adjuster
In most instances, the insurer will appoint a loss adjuster or claims management company to represent their interests. The loss adjuster is responsible for determining the validity of the claim and the amount of the settlement.
During their initial visit, the loss adjuster will assess the damage to the property, investigate the cause, and begin compiling a report for the insurer. For those unfamiliar with insurance processes, this stage can feel overwhelming. You do have options for assistance, such as engaging a loss assessor like Aspray. However, if you choose to manage the process independently, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with your policy, including what is and isn’t covered.
Step 6: Negotiate a Settlement
Once the insurer has accepted liability, it is time to agree on a settlement amount. If you have opted for reinstatement of the property, the settlement should cover the cost of putting your property back to its pro-loss condition.
Certain clauses of your policy may come into play here, such as matching items, or exclusions. It is vital that you know your policy to ensure you get the settlement you are entitled to. Our insurance terms glossary can help you understand the jargon within your policy.
The process from the initial meeting to reaching a settlement can take considerable time, with likely extensive back-and-forth communication between you and the loss adjuster. Ensure you keep a record of all interactions throughout this period, as these may be needed further down the line.
The loss adjuster may also offer you a cash settlement amount during this stage. A cash settlement is a lump sum, equivalent to the estimated cost of repairs. If you choose this option, the responsibility of reinstating the property will fall to you.
It is wise to note, that often the cash settlement will be calculated based on rates provided by the insurer’s contractors, rates which may be significantly lower than rates offered to the general public. Should you be unable to cover the cost of the repairs with the cash settlement sum, any further costs will not be covered by the insurer, potentially leaving you with a hefty bill.
Step 7: Reinstatement
Once the settlement is agreed work at your property can finally begin. This may mean multiple contractors at your property at various times depending on the extent of the damage. You will need to ensure you are available to provide access to the property throughout this time, alternatively, you may wish to install a key safe for ease.
Step 8: Move back into your Home
And relax!
What do insurance companies do after a house fire?
Your insurer will assign a loss adjuster to assess the damage and determine the claim’s validity. They will check your fire damage insurance claim against policy terms and investigate any exclusions before settling.
What do most house fires start from?
Kitchen fires top the list of house fire causes, followed by electrical faults, candles, heating equipment, and smoking.
Find out more about the leading causes of fires in the UK here
Fire Damage Insurance Claims
Top Tips Overview
Here are a few of our top tips that can help your claim run a little more smoothly:
- Notify your insurer as soon as you are able – delays in notification can impact the claim.
- Keep a record of everything throughout the claim, including pictures, emails, telephone calls, reports, quotations and anything else that can be used as evidence.
- Maintain constant contact with your insurer or their representative.
- Get to know your policy. Read the policy wording so you have an understanding of your obligations and what is and is not covered.
- Get help! You don’t have to manage your claim alone. Instruct the help of an insurance professional, such as a loss assessor, who can handle the entire process on your behalf.
