The Aftermath of a Fire at Your Commercial Property- Filing an Insurance Claim

8/9/2019 (Permalink)

There's a lot to deal with in the aftermath of a fire on your commercial property in Fairway, KS. One of your top priorities should be to get your insurance involved with a fire claim. Your insurance company may even determine how you move forward with restoration or help offset costs when rebuilding.

First Contact

Before doing anything else, you should call your insurance company and spell out your situation. You will need to have your policy number ready. Be sure to mention to them whether or not you are completely evacuated, or if the fire somehow effected your living situation. You should also provide them with backup contacts and establish who your claims adjuster will be. They should be able to guide you through the claims process. They might be able to provide you with a list of recommended fire restoration companies to choose from, as well.

Hunker Down

Next in the fire claim process is to secure the property. This means preventing further damage from the elements and keeping the looters at bay. An open-air, burnt property can be pretty tempting. Some common practices are:

• tarping your roof if it was damaged
  
• covering any blown out windows
  
• shutting off your water and electricity
  
• installing a security fence
  
• padlocking the entrances
  
• posting signage or caution tape
  
  

Get Organized

Your insurance company and the claims adjuster will require a lot of documentation. It's a good idea to get it ready as soon as possible in order to speed up the process. Be sure to take lots of pictures of the fire damage and property. Gather documentation of the value of damaged equipment or contents. Provide proof of income if you plan to file a business interruption claim- this can include tax information, business contracts, budgets and financial statements.
A fire claim can be a complicated undertaking if you go into it blind. If you already know what to expect, it can be smooth sailing until you're back in business. Now you can be prepared!