Having a fire in your home can be a life-altering, terrifying experience. In addition to the physical dangers your family and pets face, a lifetime of treasured heirlooms, photos, and possessions can be destroyed in minutes.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2014-2018, 27 percent of all fires occurred in homes . In 2018, the latest year that data is available, this came to 363,000 home fires, collectively causing $8 billion in property damage .
Types of Fires
Fires can be caused either unintentionally or intentionally. The leading causes of unintentional home fires include cooking (49%), heating equipment (14%), electrical distribution and lighting equipment (10%), and smoking materials (5%) .
According to the NFPA, an intentional fire is a fire that was set deliberately . This can be different from arson, which the NFPA defines as an intentional fire that “(a) to some extent, the firesetter intended not only the fire but the harm caused by the fire, and (b) by applicable legal standards, the firesetter was capable of forming a criminal intent .”
Both unintentional and intentional fire damage can be covered by homeowner’s insurance, with the exception of committing arson on your own home.
After the Fire
Regardless of how fires start, they all end the same way – with various amounts of destruction caused by the fire itself, smoke, chemicals, and water.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the fire. If you have any pre-fire photos of your possessions or list of items that were damaged, that could be helpful to the insurance company as well. The insurance company will likely send an adjuster to your home to survey the damage. Based on the adjuster’s findings, they may make you an offer to compensate you for your losses.
Rather than accepting the insurance company’s first offer, contact a public adjuster, like United Claims Specialists. Public adjusters are experts in reading and interpreting insurance policies, as well as evaluating home fire damage. They can work directly with your insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses, which may be more than your insurance company’s initial offer.
UNITED CLAIMS SPECIALISTS
When you have damage to your home or business, it can be daunting. Dealing with your insurance company can be incredibly stressful. Do not let your inexperience dealing with the insurance company cost you time and money! Our team at United Claims Specialists is here to provide you with the best service so you get the highest settlement for your claim.
United Claims Specialists has a team of experienced, dedicated, and professional public adjusters who work for you to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve when your property or business has property damage. We work on both residential and commercial claims and will make sure that your loss is handled quickly and properly and that you get the highest settlement possible.
With offices throughout Florida, New York and New Jersey, United Claims Specialists have helped thousands of home and business owners around the country. Contact us today so we can help you.
UNITED CLAIMS SPECIALISTS
855-321.LOSS (5677)
claims@ucspa.com