Fire Damage Pittsburgh

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Benefits of Hiring a Public Adjuster

When you have a fire damage claim, the insurance company claims adjuster might make a recommendation which might seem to be the easiest and straightforward way to go. The Insurance company might recommend using one of their own Fire Damage Restoration & Repair companies. This usually leads to a delayed settlement, underpaid settlement and limited options to repair your home and put it back into pre-loss conditions.

What Your Insurance adjuster might tell your Fire Damage Claim:

  1. Those are not covered and you will have to pay for that out of pocket
  2. Your basement is not covered under your policy.

Many homeowners just accept what the insurance company tells them because they are not experienced or knowledgeable in the claims process.

Insurance Claims for Fire Damage Restoration

A fire damage claim is one of the most complex types of claims. The Insurance Company can often overlook or underpay the full cost of repairs to your home.

Special attention is needed to details of a Fire Damage during the claim process. Homeowners and business owners often follow the insurance company’s claim adjuster advice however this can lead to delays, low settlement payouts and even denied claims.

This is where Stephen Hnat & Associates Adjusters can assist and ensure you receive maximum compensation. When you hire us we can help you get answers and start getting your life back to normal.

Being a victim of fire damage to your property can be a very heart-breaking scenario.

It seems like the Insurance Adjuster is going to help you with the whole process step by step. As the claim starts going on the communication between you and the adjuster break down. The claim gets delayed, you have no idea what is going on and if they will ever get back to you with answers.

What do you do next? Who is going to help you with this process?

You want someone that you can turn to through the whole process and step you through each stage. When you hire a public adjuster like Stephen Hnat & Associates it can allow you the time necessary to compose yourself because you have someone who is experienced to help you through the process.

Why You Should Speak With A Public Adjuster about your Fire Damage Claim

A majority of Homeowners will decide to handle their fire damage claim themselves. However, trying to work with the insurance company probably means a lower payout to you.

Most insurance companies will negotiate to not pay the full amount that the repairs and replacements will cost. You will be told that you have a limited amount to work with or if you need more for the rebuild we might be able to get you more.

Insurance companies find it easier to go against the homeowners when they do not have their public adjuster, as there is no one to fight for the homeowner’s rights.

In most cases, the insurance company will take advantage of the situation. Many homeowners do not fully understand the complicated process of filing an insurance claim and the many technicalities of their policy.

A Public Adjuster is the advocate for the homeowner or business owner in your fire damage restoration claim and they will fight on your behalf to make sure you receive what you are entitled to receive. We deal with the problems that arise from the dispute.

You don’t need any more issues in your life when you have experienced a fire that damages your home or business. We will bring in our experts to assess the extent of your damages and fight make sure you are indemnified for the harms done. We work rigorously and promptly so you may continue your normal life regardless of the damage your property has sustained.

Your claim will be settled to make sure you receive every cent you are entitled to and to ensure your house is a home again.

What We Offer You

A lot of insurance companies tend to deny fire damage restoration claims. If you have suffered fire damage and your claim was denied or just need guidance in what to do, we are your solution.

You will have an experienced adjuster on your side handling your fire damage restoration claim. This will give you the knowledge to avoid the pitfalls that can arise when you have suffered this type of loss. We aim to obtain the most favorable results for your fire damage restoration.

Losing your property to a fire is not something someone should have to deal with alone. We have the time and experience to fight on your behalf to make sure that you get properly compensated for your loss. Just contact us today and speak with one of our skillful public adjusters. You have nothing to lose, just to gain.

Prevention of Fire/Fire Damage:

  1. Always replace the batteries in your Fire Alarm because you never know when it will come in handy.
  2. Keep a Fire Extinguisher in tour home, it will help limit the fire damage that is being caused in your home.
  3. Installing a fire door can slow down the progression of the fire which gives you enough time to call emergency services.
commercial fire damage

Case Study: Fire Damage Restoration Public Adjuster

A restaurant caught on fire because of an an electrical short in a fan above the kitchen which ignited a two alarm fire.

Water and smoke also caused damage to the building and contents. The restaurants employees were their main priority, but the seating was one of the main signature piece of the restaurant. It was of the utmost importance that the restaurant replaced their historic furniture with similar pieces.

However, the insurance company denied the claim, so the restaurant owner hired a public adjuster to represent them in the claim. The Public Adjuster was able to negotiate a deal with the insurance company to pay the staff an agreed amount per week until the reopening. The public adjuster also hired the engineer who helped facilitate the reconstruction of the old building.

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Fire Damage Statistics

  • There were 501,500 residential fires in 2015 it was the first time that the number of fires increased since 2009
  • The National Fire Protection Association reports that:
    • 2,685 civilian fire deaths
    • 13,000 civilian fire injuries
    • $10.3 billion in direct damages
  • In a national average, about seven people die a day just in the United States alone due to fires.
  • 3/5 deaths in the US were due to fires in the home that have no smoke detector or no working smoke alarms

 

Tips When Filing A Fire Damage Restoration Insurance Claim

Homeowners filing a fire damage restoration insurance claim should document damages, this includes:

  • Taking pictures of all the damages and take a lot of pictures. Close up and far away.
  • Keep track of all your conversation with your adjuster
  • Keep a journal of events that take place on repairs or lack of
  • Don’t sign anything until you understand exactly what you are signing
  • You do not have to use the vendors that the insurance company recommends
  • Get prices from the restoration company before they do anything
  • Specify any injuries
  • Contact authorities if necessary
  • Mitigate the damages on your property
  • Don’t throw anything out or clean anything up until the public adjuster investigates the damage
  • Keep all the documents just in case there’s a dispute to settle later in the process
Question:

Should I clean the fire damage or should I hire a professional?

Most people don’t know that if you try to clean up smoke damage by yourself, it can actually cause more damage to you, your home and your personal belongings. Hiring a professional is the safer route because professionals will be able to properly remove all the fire damage.

  • Smoke particles tend to linger in your home if its not removed properly and thus hiring a professional would be ideal for this job.
  • Smoke damage and smoke residue can’t be washed or wiped away because it will still leave traces of smoke particles. Professionals will work with you to help you restore your things.
  • You need more than yourself to get the job done. Addressing fire damage by yourself is hazardous even if you think it seems like an easy cleanup.

Does Home Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

Homeowners insurance should cover fire damage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowner’s insurance will help pay for additional costs of having to live away from your home if your home is uninhabitable. Your insurance should also cover detached structures such as sheds or detached garages and fences, if they were caught in the fire. Your personal belongs and/or landscaping that may have been caught in the fire are also part of the homeowner’s coverage. If you feel like your homeowners insurance has not entirely covered for everything that was in the fire, reach out to an experience public adjuster. Stephen Hnat and Associates public adjusters will help you win your case!

What Can’t Be Covered Under A Home Insurance Fire Damage?

  • Arson and fire damage in a vacant home might not be covered under insurance policy. For one, arson is a criminal offense and often gives incentives for people to collect insurance money.
  • When a vacant home suffers fire damage, insurance companies usually would not cover it. A home is vacant when no one has lived there for more than 30 consecutive days. In some home insurance policies, they provide “vacant home insurance” which essentially covers theft, wind, hail, fire vandalism and anything standard that’s given in a standard homeowners insurance policy.

After A Fire Damage, what should I ask my Insurance Company?

  • As soon as you contact your insurance company ask them about the immediate needs of your house which includes pumping out water, covering doors, windows, and other openings to the home.
  • Ask them what to do next. Most insurance companies would tell you to make a list of everything that has been damaged in the fire and they will ask you to describe the items in detail and include all the price for how much you paid for the damages.

What To Expect After A Fire Damage?

  • According to The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA, you should expect to see severe damage to your home after a fire due to the flames, heat, smoke, and water. Anything that you want to keep will need to be cleaned properly. The firefighters may cut holes in the walls to look for existing hidden flames and they may also cut through the roof to let out the heat and smoke.
  • It is also important to use caution when re-entering your home and be aware of the health and safety risks.

Are there any precaution I Need To Take After The Fire?

  • Do not enter a fire damaged home unless the fire department tells you it is safe to go.
  • Look out for damaged that may have caused the fire
  • Be aware of roofs and floorboards may be unstable to walk on after a fire
  • Contact your insurance company immediately.

DIY Sites On Cleaning Up After Smoke Damage