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4 Tips When Filing a Commercial Fire Damage Claim
2/23/2021 (Permalink)
Blog Summary: The experts at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford offer four tips and strategies for commercial property owners to consider when filing a fire damage insurance claim.
Dealing with fire damage on a commercial property can be overwhelming, to begin with; the complicated insurance claims process only makes it worse, leaving many business and commercial service providers with countless questions on where to begin.
To get started, here are four helpful tips from the restoration specialists at SERVPRO to use when filing a commercial fire damage insurance claim:
4 Tips When Filing a Commercial Fire Damage Claim
#1: Thoroughly investigate and document the damage.
It is important to provide the insurance company with detailed documentation for all the damage to the commercial property, no matter how major or minor.
Fire damage can exist in many forms, including structural damage, water damage, smoke damage, and much more. Thoroughly and carefully investigate the commercial property to look for evidence of damage, even in unlikely places.
Document any damage found through multiple methods, including written descriptions, photos, and videos. If possible, find ways to prove that the damage came from the fire and did not exist on the property beforehand. This can help validate the claim and speed up the claims process even further.
Don’t replace or throw away any damaged items until the insurance adjuster has had the opportunity to see them, even if they have already been properly documented.
#2: Keep track of relevant documents and receipts.
FEMA’s statistics show that fires resulted in over $25 billion in property loss in 2019 alone. In most cases, insurance claims are the only way commercial service providers can recover those lost costs.
That makes determining the value of possessions and damaged property extremely important during the insurance claims process.
Gathering all receipts and documentation can be extremely helpful when trying to show the insurance company what any lost property is worth. Even if there are no physical copies of the purchase receipts, bank or credit card statements can often offer proof of purchase.
This process can sometimes be long and difficult. It's crucial to start gathering the necessary documentation as soon as possible to help ensure that the insurance company has what they need to move through the claims process and offer compensation as quickly as possible.
#3: Review insurance policy specifics.
The insurance claims process is complex, and important details are sometimes overlooked. Before filing a commercial fire damage claim, have a copy of the insurance policy on-hand. Review all the policy details and double-check them in reference to any benefits or compensation offered by the insurance company. Policy specifics can be a powerful tool during the negotiation process.
#4: Choose a professional and experienced fire damage restoration team that’s familiar with commercial services.
Choosing the right fire damage restoration team is essential to both ensuring the insurance claims process runs smoothly and returning a commercial property back to its pre-fire condition.
A professional and experienced fire damage restoration team like SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford has extensive experience working with insurance companies. They know how to effectively assess the damage, provide proper estimates, and help present detailed documentation to the insurance company.
To learn more about professional commercial fire damage restoration services in the Bedford area, contact SERVPRO today.
Contact Information:
SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford
P: (817) 595-0004