Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is to secure the home.  By all means contact your insurance company to get the claims process started, but don’t wait to get the house sealed up and secured.  Give us a call and we will send a technician to evaluate the damage and get the house protected from any further damage.  We know the claims process inside and out, and will work with you and the insurance company to get the most out of your policy.

Possibly, but your insurance company covers the cost to get your home professionally repaired, so why not take full advantage of it?  Fire damage can go well beyond basic cosmetic repairs, and having a professional perform the work is the best way to get the most comprehensive repairs from your insurance claim.

An essential first step is the repair or replacement of your HVAC system.  Smoke particles have accumulated in the system during the fire, and running it can release these harmful particles back into the air.  The next step is to remove all the burnt furniture, fixtures and building materials in the home.  This includes a thorough inspection of framing and subfloors to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced.  Framing materials are dried throughly and sealed before replacing drywall, panel or flooring.  The deodorization process is continuous throughout the reconstruction project.  All undamaged drywall is sealed and repainted using multiple coats of paint.  All of the salvaged furniture and fixtures are treated throughly before returning them to the restored home.

This all depends on the extent of the fire damage.  Smaller fires contained to single room will have the fastest recovery times, but could still take weeks to properly repair, reconstruct and deodorize the home.  Larger restoration projects can take months – this is not a job to be rushed, as your family’s long term health and safety is our primary concern.  We leave no stone unturned when it comes to returning your home to its original condition.

Absolutely.  Dealing with the insurance company can be challenging – how would you know all the intricacies of claim management when you’ve never experienced a fire loss?  Luckily, most people never have to go through this process, but it puts you at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with your claim.  Let us go to bat for you – we know how to get the most out of your policy and will advocate on your behalf.

This is a key part of your insurance policy – known as additional living expense coverage. It will differ from one insurance policy to another, but essentially it covers the difference between your normal living expenses and any additional costs you may incur.  Your policy may have several limits in place, and we would be happy to review this with you to let you know what to expect.  Be sure to keep all receipts during the time you are displaced.

Again, this is going to be detailed in your policy coverage, and we would be happy to review this with you.  A key distinction is the Actual Cash Value (ACV) versus Replacement Cost Value (RCV) for your belongings.  ACV is the value of the property when the damage occurred.  If you have older appliances, they would not be worth what you paid for them originally.  RCV is what it would cost to replace that item today, regardless of its current worth.  In either case, a thorough inventory is essential, and we will help you prepare this information to get the most out of your claim.