If your business is damaged in a fire, filing a claim with your insurance company is an important step in the restoration process.  After you report your initial claim, you will need to provide proof of loss. This proof will come as a form to complete from your insurance company. You can either fill out the form yourself or your insurance company will send an adjuster to help with this process.

Once the claim is filed, an adjuster will review all of the information and compare it with your policy to determine what is covered to help determine what is paid for by insurance and what is not. Here are the six steps to follow to ensure your insurance claim is filed quickly and appropriately.

1. Contact your insurance company as quickly as possible, and make sure they know how to reach you. You can speak to your insurance company over the phone, online, or even through a mobile app to start the claims process. It is important to meet the claims adjuster at your property if it is safe to do so.
2. Make temporary repairs with a reputable restoration company like McMahon Services to secure the property for safety. It is important to get the building in a safe condition so additional repairs can be made to prevent further damage and reduce the time it will take to fully restore the property.
3. Collect records or relevant files. The insurance company may need to collect business records or files including inventory of the structure, equipment estimates, business income claims, tax returns, or other financial documents. It can be helpful to keep both hard copies and digital copies of this information on hand during emergency situations.
4. Keep records of all expenses during the repair process. If your business has to close down, you will need to provide proof of the costs of loss. If you are conducting business from a temporary location, keep detailed records of advertising, utilities, technology, and any damage to cars, vans, or other vehicles.
5. Take photographs of everything. Do not throw away any items until the adjuster has a chance to view them in person. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to remove ruined items to allow for the cleanup process to begin. If this is the case, document all damage through pictures and video footage if possible.
6. Stay organized. Keep your insurance claim information in one place and organized. Keep the claim number, reference number, insurance contacts, photographs, receipts, estimates, and any other important information in an easily accessible place.

What Your Business Insurance May Cover

It can get a little confusing to understand what your business insurance will cover and what it won’t. Have your policy checked regularly before disaster strikes to avoid any surprises if you should need to file a claim through your insurance policy in the future.

Your business fire insurance policy may include coverage for:

• Lost revenue or sales that you would still earn had the fire not damaged your business
• Temporary evacuation or relocation from your property
• Ongoing rent payments for the damaged property
• The expense from working in a temporary location
• Maintenance fees from utilities to the damaged property
• When you work with McMahon Services, it is part of our process to work directly with you and your insurance company to ensure that nothing gets missed during the claim process AND that you receive all the money that is coming to you.

Our fire restoration team is standing by for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is ready to assist when you need us. Call us today to arrange for an assessment.