How do I pursue an insurance claim for fire damage to my house?

Question

On Saturday night, at 3am, my neighbors house caught on fire.

The fire spread along my fence, melted the siding on my garage, slightly warped the structure, did various damage to the side of my house, lawn, driveway, smoke damage to house, and some other smaller items.

What is the best way to pursue an insurance claim to get the maximum amount of reimbursement to do the repairs I need and clean the house of char smell to my standards and specifications?

How do I not get screwed by the insurance companies that only care about their bottom line?

And will my deductible go up because my neighbors house fire did damage to my property?

Answer 1

Contact your agent, explain the situation. Your company will subrogate to your neighbors policy.

Answer 2

Contact your insurance company.  They will assign you an adjuster.  An adjuster's job is not to s***w you and save the bottom line like everyone thinks.  Their job is to tell you what you are covered for and to manage the claim.  However, since you don't seem to trust insurance companies I suggest you get a name of a well trusted contractor in the area and have them prepare an estimate and provide that to your adjuster and have the adjuster work out an agreed price with the contractor.  That way you know that the work the contractor is doing will not cost you more than what the insurance is paying you (except your deductible or anything you don't have coverage for).  I would suggest a fire restoration company, ones that do both repairs to buildings and clean contents, etc.  Keep track of anything extra you had to buy and save save save receipts.  If you have any contents damaged, do not throw them out or start repairs on your home until the adjuster tells you to or to prevent further damage.  I would start making a list of any damaged items, check online stores, etc. to get estimate replacement costs for these items. However typically homeowners only have actual cash value coverage for your contents.  This means if you have a 10 year old refridgerator that was ruined in the fire, the insurance will only pay you for a 10 year old refridgerator, not a brand new one.  And if you aren't certain on anything just ask the adjuster to explain why he's paying you what he is, thats his job.  

And I agree your deductible will not go up unless you request it be changed, however your premium might.

I suppose you can file a claim with the neighbor's insurance however you will be put back into your previous condition faster if you make a claim with your own insurance and they will do all the fighting with the other insurance company for you.

Answer 3

If you have any home insurance claim then you may contact your insurance company right now for reimbursement.

http://www.rghins.com/

Answer 4

You call your insurance agent/company, and put the claim in.  Your agent/adjuster will tell you what you need to do.

If you're hinting, should you get a public adjuster?  The answer is probably not - they don't usually get enough extra money, to cover the huge chunk of the payout, that you pay them by hiring them.

You're not going to get screwed by your insurance company - they will follow the terms of your contract.  If you were "s******g" them, by underinsuring, well, this is where you get penalized.  

Your DEDUCTIBLE won't go up.  Your PREMIUM might. If you had a loss free discount, likely you'll lose that.

Now, since you've had a claim, is where YOUR AGENT really makes their money - they should be holding your hand, and explaining everything to you.  If you decided to save a buck and bypass the agent route, well, you're acting as your OWN agent, well, you don't get agent help, sorry.  But if you DO have an agent, USE THEM.  They will give you policy specific information.

OH< and if they haven't told you, don't throw ANYTHING OUT, until the adjuster says you can.

Answer 5

Contact your homeowner's insurance and file a claim.  They will pursue reimbursement from the neighbor's insurer.