Damage to your home or business caused by fire or smoke can cause considerable financial loss as well as stress and anxiety. As a property owner, you have likely been paying for insurance that you believe covers loss or damage caused by fire. If your fire damage claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, it adds even more frustration and hardship to an already difficult situation.

At Malik Law, our experienced Florida fire damage lawyers have extensive experience dealing with tactics insurance companies employ to try and avoid paying claims timely and in full. If your home or business suffered fire damage, we are committed to zealously fighting for your rights and ensuring that you are fully and fairly compensated by your insurance company.

Fire Damage in Florida

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the most frequent types of homeowner’s claims are those caused by wind, hail, and water followed closely by fire and lightning claims. Claims for fire damage represent 25-30 percent of all homeowner’s insurance claims in an average year. In 2020, there were 57,481 fires reported to the Florida Fire Incident Reporting System, totaling more than $586,139,725 in property losses.

Causes of Fire Damage in Florida

Your home or business could suffer damages/losses from a fire that is caused by a variety of circumstances, including:

• Electrical fire from a malfunction or improper installation
• Cooking fires started by grease, failure to monitor a stovetop, or forgetting to turn off an over.
• Faulty appliances
• Candles left burning
• Open flames from a grill or outdoor campfire
• Chemical combustion
• Lightning
• Smoking products not properly extinguished
• Wildfires
• Intentional fires (arson)

Common Damages/Losses from a Florida Fire

Fire damage can be minimal and reparable to extensive and irreparable. Even a small home fire that is caught quickly can seriously damage your home and your personal property. Fire moves rapidly and often unpredictably, devouring everything in its wake when left unchecked. In the wake of a fire, your property may have damages and/or losses for:

• Structural damage from the fire itself (drywall, support beams, roof destroyed).
• Personal property burnt or damaged (furniture, clothing, photographs)
• Property melted or shattered from the heat of the fire even if the fire does not reach the property.
• Smoke damage that permeates the entire home or building.
• Water damage from efforts by the fire department to extinguish the fire.
• Mold growing on the water-logged walls, floors, and furniture in the aftermath of a fire.

What to Do After a Florida Fire

The steps you take immediately following a fire will likely have a direct impact on how easy it is to get an insurance claim paid in full and without delay. With that in mind, take the following steps if your property was damaged by fire:

1. Wait for the authorities to tell you it is safe to re-enter the property. Fire is particularly dangerous because it can smolder unnoticed and re-ignite quickly. That makes re-entering your property dangerous. Lingering smoke can also cause a serious hazard which is why you should always wait for the appropriate authorities to give you the “all clear” before re-entering your property.
2. Mitigate further damage. When you are allowed inside, remove items that can safely be removed to prevent further damage from hidden flames, smoke, water, or mold.
3. Gather evidence of your damages and losses. Once it is safe to do so, take photos of the fire damage. Create an inventory of all property damaged (both the home/business and personal property) and the value of the property. Also keep documentary evidence of lost wages, hotel and food expenses, and other expenses related to the fire.
4. File a claim with your insurance company. Contact your insurance company and file a claim for the damage/loss. An adjuster may schedule a time to come out and view the damage.
5. Obtain independent estimates. If your home or property suffered significant and/or expensive damage, get your own independent estimates for the cost to repair/replace the damaged property. This may be important if your insurance company tries to undervalue the cost of repairs/replacement.

What Can I Do If My Fire Damage Claim Was Denied, Delayed, or Underpaid?

You have paid your insurance premiums on time since you purchased the home or property precisely because you wanted to be sure you were protected if the property was damaged by things such as fire, smoke, or water. Your insurance company, however, is a business that must make a profit each year. Therefore, your insurance company may use any reason it can to outright deny your claim, delay paying the claim, or dispute the value of the claim.

The Florida fire damage insurance claim attorneys at Malik Law P.A. can help. We will analyze your policy and evaluate your claim to determine what coverage applies and what the true cost will be to repair/replace the damaged property. Only then will we negotiate with your insurance company to try and reach a full and fair settlement on your behalf. If a favorable settlement is impossible, we will aggressively litigate on your behalf in court.

We have considerable experience advocating for homeowners just like you who have had a fire damage insurance claim denied, delayed, or underpaid. We are dedicated to making sure you are fairly compensated for all your losses.

Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Florida fire damage insurance claims attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.