Fire Damage Insurance Claims – Dealing with the aftermath of fire and smoke damage in your home can be psychologically and economically devastating. It is a hugely stressful time for you, as you must ensure that your family and pets are taken care of and find somewhere to live.
A house fire and resulting damage is one of the most difficult experiences homeowners will have to endure.
The house fire insurance claim procedure is stressful. Insurers will appoint loss adjusters to protect their interests, minimise any settlement, or refuse to pay at all!
Oakleafe will protect you every step of the way and provide personalised support and fire damage claim management expertise.
This way, YOU dictate how your fire damage home insurance claim is dealt with, and not your insurance company.
We collate, prepare and present all the paperwork to insurers to deliver a swift insurance payout for fire damage, leaving you to concentrate on your family and work commitments and return to normality.
Here’s what one of our satisfied clients had to say:
“I wanted to say a big thank you to Oakleafe claims for the fantastic service they provided in handling our fire claim. From start to finish they made us feel taken care of and eased our worries. Your team’s professionalism, kindness and quick responses were impressive. You kept us informed and made sure we understood everything, which really helped during this stressful time. We are very grateful for how smoothly everything went and for your support. Oakleafe claims went above and beyond our expectations, and we will definitely recommend your service's to others.”
Another satisfied client shares their experience:
"I cannot thank Oakleafe, and in particular John, enough for all their help and support during what was a very stressful situation for my family. We experienced a fire within our family home causing substantial smoke damage and after contacting Oakleafe they assured me they would do all they could to help me with my claim. John was so understanding and generous with his time and I cannot thank him enough for all his kindness, compassion and expertise. I would highly recommend Oakleafe services!" - Rose Glenister, Oakleafe client
I believe if it was not for this company I would have struggled to achieve any positive result for my case.
Oakleafe dealt with our fire claim and it is hard to put into words how thankful my family and I are to them. Oakleafe were there to take as much of the emotional burden and the hassle of dealing with the insurers away from us and kept us updated throughout.
I would highly recommend Oakleafe for any claim you have to make. I really cannot praise them enough.
The duration of the fire damage insurance claims process can vary, but generally, it takes about five to eight weeks. Once you report the fire, an adjuster will visit your property to assess the damage. This assessment typically takes one to two weeks. Meticulously documenting everything is vital - photos, lists of damaged items, and all related receipts are crucial to your claim.
Following the initial assessment, the adjuster compiles a detailed report, which forms the basis of the fire and smoke claim settlement offer. This phase, including any necessary negotiations, usually takes three to four weeks. Finally, once both parties agree on the claim amount, the insurance company processes the payment, which generally takes an additional one to two weeks.
However, more complicated cases involving extensive damage, disputes over the claim amount, or delays in providing required documentation can prolong the process, which in extreme cases can take up to or more than a year. Having a loss assessor manage fire damage insurance claims allows for prompt and clear communication with your insurance provider and can help expedite the claim by ensuring all paperwork is in order.
How to claim fire insurance involves several critical steps to ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover.
Report the Fire Immediately: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire. Provide them with all necessary details, including the date and cause of the fire, if known. Prompt reporting is crucial to kickstart the fire damage insurance claims process.
Document the Damage: Thorough documentation is essential. Take detailed photos and videos of the damage, and make a comprehensive list of all affected items. Keep receipts for any immediate expenses related to the fire, such as temporary lodging or emergency repairs.
Secure the Property: To prevent further damage or theft, take steps to secure your property. This may include boarding up windows, covering damaged areas, and turning off utilities if necessary. Your insurance policy may require you to mitigate further damage.
At this point your insurer will send a loss adjuster to represent their interests. It may be a good idea to consider using a loss assessor to represent your own interests, particualrly if it is a large and/or complex claim. A loss assessor can manage your claim saving you time and stress and likely secure you a better settlement.
Fire damage insurance claims typically cover several aspects to help policyholders recover from the damage. Here are the main categories of coverage that you can expect:
1. Structural Damage
2. Contents and Personal Belongings
3. Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
4. Other Related Expenses
5. Specialised Coverage
6. Hiring a Loss Assessor
Yes, smoke damage is typically covered by most home and business insurance policies. Smoke damage can result from various sources, including fires, faulty heating systems, or even nearby wildfires. Here's how smoke damage coverage generally works:
Coverage Details
Structural Damage
Contents Coverage
Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
If you require additional information please call our free 24/7 claims consultation helpline on 0333 2101 999.
