A fire can be devastating for you, your family, or your business. The destruction can be made worse if your insurance company denies coverage, delays payment, undervalues your claim, or worse, accuses you of causing the fire.

The fire damage attorney team at Saka Bryant, P.A., is committed to ensuring insurance companies uphold their legal and contractual obligations and pay policyholders the compensation they deserve. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of policyholders throughout Florida for wrongfully denied or undervalued insurance claims. To put our experience to work for you, contact Saka Bryant today.

Understanding Fire Damage Claims

A fire can cause extensive damage to both visible and unseen areas of a property. To understand all the potential losses in a fire damage claim, it is important to consider the different types of damage a fire can cause.

• Direct fire damage includes items that were burned, charred, or destroyed by flames. Depending on the severity of the fire and how quickly it was extinguished, fire can affect almost every structural element of the property, as well as appliances and personal items.
• Heat damage can occur in areas that were not directly burned. This type of harm includes warping, melting, or other damage, such as cracked windows, compromised metal, or the release of toxic gases from insulation.
• Water damage occurs when water used to put out a fire seeps into walls, floors, and foundations, leading to rot, mold, electrical problems, and compromised structural integrity.
• Smoke and soot from a fire can penetrate walls, carpets, and furniture and linger in ventilation systems. Prolonged exposure to soot may also cause health issues, especially respiratory problems.

When a fire causes property damage, you must act immediately to protect yourself and your rights.

Documenting Your Fire Damage Claim

When an insurance company is notified of a fire damage claim, they send an insurance adjuster to assess the damage. The adjuster will inspect the property, evaluate the needed repairs, and provide an estimated insurance payout.

Protect yourself by carefully documenting the damage and keeping a detailed record of all fire-related expenses.

• Take photos and videos of all visible damage, including structural damage and damage to furniture and personal belongings.
• Create a list of all damaged or destroyed items. Include the original cost, the current condition of the item, and its current fair market value.
• Save receipts for all purchases, including emergency repairs, temporary housing costs, and supplies. Request estimates for long-term repairs.
• Keep notes of conversations with insurance company representatives, including the date and time of the conversation and what was discussed.
• Look for hidden damage caused by smoke, water, or mold.
• Gather reports from professionals like contractors, fire restoration experts, and independent adjusters, and keep copies as evidence of the damage.

Do I Need a Fire Damage Attorney?

Many claims for fire damage are resolved quickly and fairly. But remember, the adjuster works for the insurance company, and their goal is to avoid a large payout by minimizing the reported damage. Because the scale of fire devastation can be substantial, insurance companies work hard to minimize the amount they pay on a claim. They may:

• Hire an “in-house” appraiser who deliberately undervalues the amount of your loss.
• Use the “fine print” to justify paying you less than they should.
• Delay payment in an effort to gain leverage to pay you less than your claim is worth.
• Deny your claim for temporary housing.
• Fail to offer you a reasonable amount for your losses.
• Refuse to conduct a prompt and reasonable investigation.
• Fail to preserve evidence.
• Blame you for causing the fire.

If your claim for fire damage is being delayed or you are not getting answers from the insurance company, it may be time to consult with a Saka Bryant fire damage attorney to help move your claim forward so you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.

When to Call a Fire Damage Attorney at Saka Bryant

Here are some situations when you should contact Saka Bryant’s experienced team of fire damage lawyers.

• Your claim has been delayed. Insurance companies must handle fire damage claims quickly. If you have been waiting weeks or months without an update, our fire damage attorneys can review your insurance policy, evaluate your claim, and work to ensure the insurance company fulfills its legal and contractual obligations.
• Your claim was denied. The insurance company should provide a written explanation if they deny your claim. If the reason for the denial is unclear or you disagree with the reason for the denial, our lawyers can evaluate your policy to determine whether the denial was justified.
• The settlement offer does not cover the full extent of the damage. You should seek advice from a fire damage attorney if the insurance payout does not cover the full extent of your losses. We can work with independent fire valuation experts to ensure you receive a settlement that covers the full extent of your loss.
• There are disputes over the cause of the fire. You should speak to our fire damage attorney team if the insurance company denies coverage by claiming the fire was caused by negligent or criminal activity. We can help prove the fire was accidental and that you are entitled to coverage.
• Confusing legal or policy issues. Fire damage insurance policies can be confusing, but Florida law protects you as a policyholder. If the insurance company is not following the law or the terms of the policy, our lawyers can evaluate coverage and fight to protect your rights.

Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve

The fire damage attorney team at Saka Bryant is committed to providing high-quality legal representation to people who suffered fire damage in Florida. We fight to make insurance companies uphold their legal and contractual obligations and pay policyholders the compensation they deserve.

We strive to resolve every case as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. In many cases, that means resolving a fire damage claim out of court. But when litigation is the only way to obtain the compensation you deserve, we have the experience, resources, and expertise to take your case to court to secure the financial compensation you deserve.