A Renter's Guide To Filing Fire Claims

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Apartment fire in Rayford, TX.

A Renter's Guide to Fire Claim Filing

After a fire in your apartment building in Rayford, TX, the owner and management will likely file insurance claims for the structure itself. As a renter, you also need to file a claim with your renters insurance provider for any of your items that were damaged. It's important to know where the owner's responsibilities end and yours begin.

Take Documents

The benefit of renting is that you are not responsible for the recovery of the building or any of the appliances and features that come with it. Because you don't own the building, however, your rights to re-enter it once you have relocated to temporary housing may be limited. Before you vacate the premises, be sure to have all the documents you need:

• Insurance policy
  
• Pictures of damage
  
• List of items that need repair or replacement
  
  

This information is vital for filling out your fire claim in a timely manner. You may not be able to control your access to the building, but you can still start the process of getting assistance.

Contact Remediation Experts

It's not always easy for renters insurance adjusters to assess which items can be salvaged during a walkthrough. Having an official assessment of the damage to your belongings from fire restoration experts is a great way to verify your claim. With an itemized list of restoration costs, you are more likely to get a higher settlement.

Know Your Policy
Of course, the best time to learn what your policy covers is before you need it. It is also helpful to review it after disaster strikes. Your provider may cover more than just the fire damage to your belongings. For example, you may be entitled to reimbursement of all or part of your temporary relocation expenses.
Filing a claim with your renters insurance company after a fire helps you repair or replace any of your belongings that get damaged. Knowing what your rights and responsibilities are can help you make the decisions necessary to get your claim approved.