If you are asking who is liable for fire damage? Get the right answer to this question and answers to other key questions on fire damage.
When you file an insurance claim after a fire, you may need to prove who is liable for fire damage.
Knowing the cause of the fire is an important factor in determining liability.
Parties that can cause fire damage are the property owner, a tenant, someone who intentionally set the fire, a manufacturer of faulty equipment or product, a contractor, or subcontractor.
You don’t have to take on this important task all by yourself.
You can get a professional property damage lawyer to help you investigate the fire.
They know the experts to consult, like local fire, economic, property damage, and real estate experts.
These experts will help verify your claim and the amount you need for compensation.
Most law firms will carefully review your case at no cost or agreement and clarify your financial recovery options.
Let’s answer some key questions in this article.
How Do You Know Where to Assign Financial Liability After a Fire?
Fires are among the most commonly reported causes of property damage.
An insurance company will investigate your fire to define its cause and prove its responsibility to compensate you.
Usually, your homeowners’ insurance will cover fires caused by accidental causes and wildfires.
The best way to fully understand your policy is to let a fire damage attorney examine it for you.
They can clarify its coverage and the claim process, and they can also carefully examine its fine print and any optional coverage you choose.
A lawyer can also guide you through the claims process, including communicating on your behalf and submitting forms and evidence.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Intentionally Set Fires?
U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) research cites the following heat sources for fires that were set on purpose:
- Explosives
- Fireworks
- Open flames
- Smoking materials
- Power equipment
- Smoldering objects
- Chemical heat
If one of these factors caused or contributed to your fire, and you were not involved in the intentional act.
A lawyer can help you fight for compensation from the other party or parties.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Unintentional Fires?
If you protected your residential or commercial property with insurance coverage, it should compensate you for an accidental fire, including:
- Faulty electrical outlets
- Unattended candles
- Appliance failures
- Gas leaks
- Faulty wiring
- Power surges
- Smoking
- Christmas trees
- Cooking mishaps
- Storms and lightning
When you are represented by a lawyer, they can help you go through the claims process.
Also, if your insurance company denies or underestimates your claim, a lawyer can help you file an appeal.
What Types of Compensation Can You Request for Fire Damage?
No property damage claim case is the same. They’re all unique, involving different types and amounts of compensation.
Your compensation request, up to the limitations of your policy, can include:
- Damage to your residential or commercial building
- The costs of temporarily relocating your family
- Damaged or lost personal property
- Cleanup of smoke, fire residue, and water damage
- Damage to your outbuildings and landscaping
- Total loss of your primary and related property
- Boarding, cleaning, and securing your property
The lawyer in charge of your claim will help you create a carefully detailed list of your losses and prove the value of your compensation request.
With a legal guide and support, you can maximize your financial recovery and restore or rebuild your property.
How Do You Document Your Property Damage or Loss?
Documenting your property damage or loss after a fire is usually a detailed but overwhelming process.
It can also drain you emotionally. This makes it difficult to be impartial in your list and assessment.
The things that count as a list of damaged property include:
- Real property, like home, garage, fences, sheds, carport, pool, business, outbuildings, trees, outdoor furnishings, and debris removal
- Personal property, like electronics, tools, décor, clothing, shoes, furnishings, jewelry, art, musical instruments, and appliances
This isn’t the whole list, though. So, your compensation request may include items not listed above.
A lawyer can do more than document your property damage.
They can also document the value of your claim by obtaining solid evidence of your losses.
This can include compiling records, receipts, credit and debit card statements, and consulting relevant experts.
What if Your Initial Insurance Claim Was Denied?
After a fire happens, having your claim for coverage denied can be frustrating and discouraging.
That doesn’t mean you should give up on your fight for coverage.
If your initial claim was denied, you can still do these:
- Request a complete copy of your policy
- Research each step in the appeal process
- Document the specific reason the insurer disclaimed
- Add extra evidence to your claim
- Collect supplemental receipts and photos
- Hire a lawyer to represent you during the appeal
Things like typos, errors of omission, and other factors could lead to a denial of your claim.
That’s why you need your lawyer to help you prevent claim denial.
They can also help you file a well-documented appeal within the allotted time and keep fighting for the compensation you need and deserve.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Fire Damage Insurance Claim?
Who is liable for fire damage? First of all, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to file a claim with your insurer.
But doing so can help simplify the process and relieve stress.
A lawyer who knows the laws and regulations of the insurance industry can also protect you from bad faith insurance practices.
These can include the insurer failing to:
- Settle or deny your claim when valid and warranted
- Making a payment on your claim without a written explanation
- Acknowledge receipt of your claim as quickly as possible
- Comply with the proper means of communication and their timeline
When an insurance bad faith lawyer represents you, they can clarify your rights, list out the insurer’s responsibilities, and measure the limitations and maximums of your policy.
Conclusion: Get a Free Review of Your Fire Damage Case
If your home or commercial property was damaged or destroyed in a recent fire, determining who is liable for fire damage and recovering compensation is not a straightforward solution.
The legal process can be complex and overwhelming.
A good property damage lawyer can help you handle the insurance company and the adjuster.
If you own a business, you can also get law firms that supports business owners who have suffered damage or loss to their commercial property.
