Fire Damage Claims in Florida: Your Questions Answered

From kitchen mishaps to electrical accidents, the risk of fire is an ever-present one. House fires can start suddenly and spread fast, leaving victims in a state of shock, and even once the smoke clears, the physical and emotional devastation of a fire on your property is hard to overstate. The fire damage claims process exists to allow you to recover from some of that devastation—but especially after a traumatic event, it can be difficult to know how to follow through with this process.

If you’ve recently suffered property damage due to a fire, we extend our sympathies. In this time of loss and frustration, the last thing you need is to go into the insurance process blind. We want to help out by giving you the answers you need, providing the clarity to help you take the next step towards recovery.

In a hurry? We’ve provided short answers, which give you the information you need in a condensed format. For a more thorough grasp of fire damage claims in Florida, you can read through the long answers, which provide additional details, context, and suggestions. If you need more personalized guidance, you can also reach an attorney 24/7 for a free consultation.

Does Home Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

The Short Answer: Yes, most home insurance does cover fire damage.

The Long Answer: As a general rule, homeowners, renters, and other types of property insurance will cover accidental fire damage. This means that most causes of fire damage are likely to be covered under your insurance policy. However, the exact amount can vary, and even if you are covered, you are not necessarily guaranteed full compensation for all fire damage.

The best way to understand your coverage is to consult with a property damage attorney, who can closely read over your policy and help you identify the maximum amount you can recover from your fire damage claim.

There are also a few causes of fire damage that are not usually covered by standard home insurance.

Which Type of Fire Is Normally Not Covered By Insurance?

The Short Answer: Fires caused by arson, serious negligence, or lack of maintenance are typically not covered by property insurance.

The Long Answer: As stated above, accidental fires are usually covered by home insurance. However, fires which were started on purpose or which, from the insurer’s perspective, were caused by severe carelessness, do not tend to fall under this umbrella.

In addition, extreme situations which are difficult to account for, such as fires caused by nuclear hazards or acts of war, are typically excluded from most home insurance policies.

The most surefire answer for what is and isn’t covered by your own insurance provider is found within your policy itself. An attorney can help you get a clearer grasp of how your coverage applies to your unique situation, as well as providing other critical fire damage insurance claim help.

How Long Do I Have to File a Fire Damage Claim in Florida?

The Short Answer: The time limit to file a fire damage claim in Florida is generally one year, as established by the state of Florida. However, most home insurance policies require you to report the accident as soon as possible, so it’s often best to contact your insurer within 24 hours—but this is only the beginning of the fire damage claims process, and there will be more time for you to determine the full extent of the damage later.

The Long Answer: Your policy will generally provide details about their expected timeline for claims filing. In all cases, your best bet is to act fast. Putting together and resolving a claim can take a lot of time and energy, and obtaining necessary evidence can come with certain delays. Because of this, rather than waiting until the deadline, it’s generally best to start working on your claim as soon as possible, preferably with legal help to speed up the process.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Fire Claim?

The Short Answer: The timeline for a fire claim can vary, sometimes taking as little as a few months, but easily stretching out into years. There is no surefire timeline, but you can speed up the process by being thorough and proactive, and by partnering with a Florida property damage attorney.

The Long Answer: You should notify your insurance company of the damage as soon as you can, at which point they generally have 7 days to acknowledge your claim in Florida. While you wait, you should start recording photo and video evidence of the damage before repairing or replacing anything—this is important to ensure you can prove the full extent of damage before the insurance company asks you to submit proof of loss.

Why Would Insurance Deny a Fire Claim?

The Short Answer: Insurance might deny a fire claim due to delays in reporting, insufficient proof of loss, or damages not covered under the policy, among other possibilities. There are many reasons a claim might be denied or underpaid, but this does not have to be the final word on the matter. You can still take action if you believe a claim was unfairly denied or undervalued.

The Long Answer: Every claim is different, and there are plenty of reasons an insurer might give for denying or reducing your claim’s value. In some cases, insurers may not want to compensate you for your claim, and will look for any reason to reduce the amount they owe you. To address this possibility ahead of time, it’s wise to be as thorough and specific you can when gathering evidence of fire damage.

However, a denial does not spell the end of your fire damage claim. You can directly appeal the decision with the insurer and resolidify your case. Make sure to read the denial letter and explicitly address the reasons given. You will need to be firm in establishing the validity of your claim.

If you haven’t already been working with an attorney at this point, now more than ever we highly recommend that you contact one for help with this process—insurance companies may try to take advantage of your lack of legal expertise to pay you less than you deserve. The best way to fight against this is to have a legal expert on your side.

How Do I Maximize My Fire Claim?

The Short Answer: There are many steps you can take to maximize your fire claim, but one of the most important steps that will help you at virtually every stage of the fire damage claims process is consulting a Florida property damage attorney.

The Long Answer: Some ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of your fire damage claim include:

• Carefully reviewing your policy to be sure you know exactly what you're covered for
• Thoroughly documenting all damage caused by the fire before reporting
• Avoiding making all but the most urgent repairs right away—and even these should ideally be temporary until the value of your claim is assessed
• Acting quickly in building your claim, and regularly following up with your insurer to mitigate delays on their end

If there’s one single action that has the greatest potential effect on your claim, it’s most likely the act of partnering with a legal expert. A fire damage claims attorney in Florida can help you with all the steps listed above, and more.

Need Further Assistance?

If you’ve still got unanswered questions, you can talk to us today. At Senft Injury Advocates, we offer 24/7 availability, meaning you have access to a free consultation with a Florida fire damage attorney whenever you need it. You don’t have to handle this burden alone. Call today and start your journey towards compensation.