What Documents Do You Need for a Commercial Fire Damage Claim?

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Claim Process

Experiencing a fire at your office building in College East, CA, can be taxing on you and your business. Filing an insurance claim after the incident may also seem like a daunting task without the right guidance. However, you can help your fire claim process smoothly by keeping documentation of the following items.

1. Evidence of Damage

Having proof of the fire damage is crucial when filing a claim. If it is possible, request a report of the fire from the police or fire department. Make sure that you have photographs of all the damaged areas and items. It is also handy to have pictures of the property before the damage occurred so that the insurance company can make a comparison of the property before and after the fire. Fire restoration service personnel may also assist in photographing the damage before cleaning up and restoring the space.

2. Temporary Repairs

If you must wait for an insurance adjuster to inspect the damage first before processing your claim, you should prevent the property from getting further damaged in the meantime. This may involve storing equipment in a safer area, boarding up windows and putting tarp over exposed areas. Remember to keep the receipts of any purchases made for these temporary repairs, as you may get reimbursed for them through your fire claim.

3. Business Value and Income

Submit copies of any records that show the value of your property, inventory and equipment, such as receipts and financial statements. For business income coverage claims, include all financial documents that prove your projected net income before and after the fire. The insurer will use the information to determine whether there was a loss of income due to fire damage and may compensate you accordingly.

Having insurance can help your business recover faster after a fire. When submitting a fire claim, the more documentation you have, the better your chances are at getting a fair amount of coverage for your repairs or income loss.