3 Things To Expect After a Partial Loss Fire

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Fire loss in Rosemont, IL

3 Things To Expect After a Partial Loss Fire

When a fire loss is large enough that it is not economically feasible to restore the damaged property or the property has been damaged beyond the point where it can be restored, the loss is deemed a total loss. However, most losses are partial losses. These are three things to expect after a partial loss fire.

1. Some Property Will Be Replaced and Some Will Be Restored.
With most partial loss fires, some property will be damaged to the point where it can not be restored or it is cheaper to replace. Other properties will be able to undergo fire restoration that may include repairing the damaged structure and cleaning smoke damage.

2. You Will Probably Need Smoke Cleaning.
Porous objects, such as upholstered furniture, rugs, clothing and curtains may be undamaged by fire, but need cleaning to remove smoke stains and smell. Most homeowners policies cover smoke damage, so your fire loss insurance may pay for a fire restoration company in Rosemont, IL, to clean your smoke damaged property.

3. There May Be Disputes Over Repairs.
Homeowners and insurance companies frequently do not agree about which property can be restored and which needs to be replaced. For example, the insurance company may be willing to pay for smoke cleaning for a homeowner's upholstered furniture that the homeowner feels needs to be replaced with new furniture. Another common dispute is matching the color of the siding or interior walls that needed to be replaced to the siding or walls that were not damaged in the fire. Most disputes can be resolved by negotiating with the insurance company; however, it may be worthwhile to hire an independent inspector or third party adjuster to assist.
A partial fire loss can be more complicated to resolve than a total loss because decisions will be made about which property can be restored and which should be replaced. Be ready to negotiate with your insurance company should any disputes arise.