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FIRE DAMAGE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CLAIM
Recovering from a fire damage can be a physically and mentally draining process. When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact. To place a Fire Damage Homeowners Insurance claim call Nunez and Associates immediately. Nunez and Associates are trained to deal with the complicated procedures in the insurance claim process.
You will need to take action immediately. Some actions may be needed in the future, while others will be ongoing. This information is intended to give you the assistance needed to help you as you begin rebuilding your life after fire damage to your property..
Securing Yourself and The Site
Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, to help with your immediate needs, such as:
- Temporary Housing
- Food
- Medicine
- Eyeglasses
- Clothing
- Other Essential Items
- Contact your insurance agent/company. TOP OF THE PAGE
Cautions
Do not enter the fire damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains.
Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) either are safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself.
Be watchful for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be damaged and subject to collapse.
Food, beverages, and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot, and water should not be consumed.
Leaving Your Home
Contact your local police department to let them know that the site will be unoccupied.
In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.
Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss, and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax. TOP OF THE PAGE
If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:
Identification, such as driver’s licenses and Social Security cards;
Insurance information
Medication information
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other prosthetic devices
Valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash, and jewelry.
Many people/entities should be notified of your relocation, including:
Public Insurance Adjuster - Nunez and Associates
Insurance agent/company
Mortgage company (also inform them of the fire)
Family and friends;
Employer
Child’s school
Post office
Delivery services
Fire and police departments
Utility companies.
Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made. All damage is taken into consideration in developing your insurance claim.
If you are considering contracting for inventory or repair services, discuss your plans with your insurance agent/company first. TOP OF THE PAGE
IF YOU ARE INSURED
Contact Nunez and Associates (877-715-7243) follow their instructions to give notice of the loss to the insurance company or the insurer’s agent/company.
Ask Nunez and Associates what to do about the immediate needs of the dwelling, such as covering doors, windows, and other exposed areas, and pumping out water.
Ask Nunez and Associates what actions are required of you. Some policyholders may be required to make an inventory of damaged personal property showing in detail the quantity, description, and how much you paid for the items.
IF YOU ARE NOT INSURED
Your recovery from a fire loss may be based upon your own resources and help from your community.
Private organizations that may be sources of aid or information:
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Religious organizations
Department of social services
Civic organizations
State or municipal emergency services office; and
Nonprofit crisis counseling centers. TOP OF THE PAGE
VALUING YOUR PROPERTY
You will encounter different viewpoints on the value of your property in adjusting your fire loss or in claiming a casualty loss on your Federal income tax. Knowing the following terms will help you understand the process used to determine the value of your fire loss:
Your personal valuation: Your personal loss of goods through fire may be difficult to measure. These personal items have SENTIMENTAL VALUE to you; however, it is objective measures of value that you, the insurer, and the Internal Revenue Service will use as a common ground for discussion. Some of these objective measures are discussed below.
Cost when purchased: This is an important element in establishing an item’s final value. Receipts will help verify the cost price.
Fair market value before the fire damage: This concept is also expressed as ACTUAL CASH VALUE. This is what you could have received for the item if you had sold it the day before the fire. The price would reflect its cost at purchase minus the wear it had sustained since purchase. DEPRECIATION is the formal term used to express the amount of value an item loses over a period of time.
Value after the fire: This is sometimes called the item’s salvage value.
All of the above is much to important and complex for the average person. That is why you need a professional like Nunez and Associates on your side that knows the in and outs of valuing your property. TOP OF THE PAGE
Restoration Services
There are companies that specialize in the restoration of fire-damaged structures. Whether you or your insurer employs this type of service, be clear on who will pay. Be sure to request an estimate of cost for the work. Before any company is hired, check its references. These companies provide a range of services that may include some or all of the following:
Securing the site against further damage
Estimating structural damage
Repairing structural damage
Estimating the cost to repair or renew items of personal property
Packing, transportation, and storage of household items
Securing appropriate cleaning or repair subcontractors
Storing repaired items until needed.
Common Questions
Q. Why are windows broken or holes cut in the roof?
As a fire burns, it moves upward, then outward. Breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) slows the damaging outward movement, helps remove blinding smoke that obscures the actual fire, and enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently. The result of this action is less damage to the structure in the long run.
Q. Why are holes cut in walls?
This is done so that the fire department is absolutely sure that the fire is completely out, and that there is no fire inside the walls or in other hidden places.
Q. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the fire report?
In most localities such as Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Miramar,etc., a fire report is a public document and is available at the fire department or fire marshal’s office. TOP OF THE PAGE
The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.
- Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross, if you need
temporary housing, food, and medicines.
- If you are insured, contact your Nunez and Associates for detailed instructions
on protecting the property, conducting inventory, and contacting fire damage
restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private
organizations for aid and assistance.
- Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be
watchful of any structural damage caused by fire.
- The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or
are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities
yourself.
- Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any
damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
- Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on
contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
- If you leave your home, contact the local police department to let them know
the site will be unoccupied.
- Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts
may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed
on income tax.
- Notify your mortgage company of the fire.
- Check with an accountant or the Internal Revenue Service about special benefits
for people recovering from fire loss. TOP OF THE PAGE
For further information visit: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-46-508.pdf |
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Securing Yourself And The Site After A Fire