If your home ever suffers fire damage, you want to make sure you get every last dollar of compensation that's owed to you from your insurance company. But as the number of fires and fire damage seems to grow each year, insurance companies may look for ways to pay out less than they should. Here are a few critical tips on dealing with your insurance company during the fire restoration process. 

Handling Your Insurance Company During Fire Restoration

1. Make a Comprehensive List of Everything You Lost

Don't wait until a week or longer after the fire to begin tallying everything that was damaged or destroyed in the flames. Write down a list of everything that was affected by the fire, including furniture, clothing, books, decor, and parts of the home itself. 

2. Make Notes Before Filing a Claim

Filing a claim for a home fire is not like a car insurance claim. It's involved, detailed, and requires a certain level of preparation beforehand. Prior to calling your homeowners insurance company, write down descriptions of all the damaged property, locations in the home where the damage occurred, and whether an advance is required to replace certain essentials immediately. 

3. File Your Claim Fast

Though some level of preparation is important, it still holds true that the sooner you call your insurance company and file your claim, the faster you set all the parts in motion that will eventually lead to you receiving financial compensation. Your sense of determination and urgency will immediately rub off on your insurance company, who will register your initiative and seriousness and respond in kind. 

If your home has suffered water, flood, or fire damage, one of your very first calls should be to SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach. These professionals specialize in fire restoration, water extraction, and mold remediation, and will leverage their manpower, expertise, and cutting-edge equipment to return your home to its pre-damage condition as quickly as possible. They’ll also help you deal with filing an insurance claim. Visit the restoration team's website to learn more about how they can help you recover after a fire, or call directly at (904) 429-4457.