3 Steps To Take in a Fire Damage Estimation Process

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Three Steps In The Fire Damage Estimation Process.

When a fire damages your Costa Mesa, CA, commercial building, the aftermath can often be difficult to handle. There are often many different types of damage, and you may not know how to receive an estimate for each. Learning the steps to prepare yourself in the event of a business fire may help you feel more confident should such an event happen and streamline the process so you can get operations up and running again as soon as possible. 

1. Document the Fire Damage 

Taking photos of the damage caused by fire can help you provide your insurance company with specific evidence and get a claim filed faster. Remember to only enter areas that have been deemed safe by the fire department and take pictures from a variety of angles so your insurance adjuster can provide you with more accurate estimates. 

2. Document Values and Expenses 

When a commercial fire happens, you may deal with a variety of different expenses and will also need to place a dollar value on items that were damaged, such as machinery or lost inventory. Try to estimate these numbers as closely as you can and keep records of what you document. While your insurance company will likely run its own numbers, providing an agent with your own recordkeeping may hurry the claim process along. 

3. Ask for a Restoration Estimate 

Once you have an idea of the overall damage the fire caused, ask your insurance company about estimates for the cost of a commercial fire restoration company and what kinds of services you might require to repair your building. These may include roof replacement, water damage and smoke and soot removal, as ridding the building of these issues on your own is often not possible.

A fire at your Costa Mesa, CA, commercial business can have you feeling uncertain about where to turn in the aftermath. Having a plan in place in case your property experiences fire damage can help you feel more confident when speaking to your insurance agent and adjuster about receiving estimates.