How To File Your Smoke Damage Insurance Claims in Florida

After a fire incident, business owners and homeowners in Florida are usually left with a volume of things to deal with all at once, in addition to the emotional distress experienced. More than just fire damage, there are other issues that also need to be addressed, such as residual soot and smoke damage removal.

While the consequences of the event are unavoidable, insurance policies help alleviate some of the burden by covering the costs of repairs. However, most people do not know where to begin the claims process. In this article, ServiceMaster by Wright discusses how to file for smoke damage insurance claim in Florida.

What is smoke damage?

When wood, fabric, plastic, and other materials burn, the resulting odor and physical residue left behind is called smoke damage. Smoke damage can affect structures such as walls, ceilings, and windows, as well as items like clothing, jewelry, and furniture.

Smoke damage can either be:

Dry Smoke Residue – This occurs during fast-burning fires that burn at a high temperature, resulting in a dry and powdery residue that does not smear much.

Wet Smoke Residue – This results from slow, smoldering fires with low heat, ending in a typically sticky residue with strong odors which can smear and be difficult to clean.

Protein Residue – This type of residue is invisible and has a very strong odor. Protein residue can discolor paints, varnishes, and other finishes.

Fuel and Oil Residue – This rarely comes from fires unless petroleum products have been stored on site, resulting in a sticky residue that is difficult to clean. Most commonly, fuel and oil residue comes from furnace puff backs that cause a fuel oil soot.

Fire Extinguisher Residue – This residue is also sometimes a necessity. Cleanup depends on the type of fire extinguisher used.

No matter what the type of smoke damage is, it must be removed immediately to prevent health risks. The tiny particles that make up soot and smoke can be dangerous to the human body. Long-term exposure to smoke and soot damage may lead to health complications in immuno-compromised individuals.

To safely remove smoke damage, there are different cleaning products and techniques necessary, which is why it's not advisable to do it on your own. Calling a professional for smoke damage removal in Florida is the best course of action to deal with smoke damage after a fire damage incident. If you have homeowners or business fire insurance, ready to file for an insurance claim.

How should I file for smoke damage insurance claims in Florida?

Filing for an insurance claim is not a complicated process. Here are the steps you should take.

Immediately get in touch with your insurance company or agent after a fire.

Review your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. If the policy was lost in the fire, your insurance company or agent can provide another copy. Look on the declarations page for information regarding you policy's coverage, deductibles, limitations or exclusions and if there are any filing deadlines.

Document the damage in detail and do not disturb the affected area. Taking photos and videos is recommended. Also document all contact with the insurance company. Make copies of everything.

Call a professional smoke damage removal team like ServiceMaster by Wright to come and assess the damage and provide a remediation plan.

Gather all the necessary information needed to file the claim. Note that the information is not limited to the ones given below.

Write the date of the loss and the type and location of the damage.

Write the contact information of the property owner. Put your own contact information if you're not the property owner.

Include a copy of the police report.

Include a copy of remediation estimates.

Gather receipts for all repairs, restoration, and other related costs. Also include receipts for any hotels or meals if the damage forced you to find other lodging.

Make a complete list of all damaged items or building materials.

Verify with your insurance agent the procedures and timeline for filling all parts of the claim.

Get Smoke Damage Repair in Florida from an Insurance-Preferred Vendor like ServiceMaster by Wright

Without proper cleaning techniques and the right equipment, it can be very difficult to restore a property after it's been damaged by smoke and fire. The safe and effective cleaning and removal of smoke damage in Florida is a job often best left to an IICRC-certified firm like ServiceMaster by Wright.

Cleaning, resurfacing, and replacing are the most common solutions to smoke and soot damage. With over 40 years of experience, the experts at Service Master by Wright can assess fire and soot damage and outline the best plan of action for you.

Our qualified and professional team is here to serve you. Contact us at 239-431-9947 for a quicker response or simply visit https://www.servicemasterrestorations.com/ for more details. We serve businesses and homeowners located in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice. Call 239-431-9947.