Fire damage insurance claims We'll take the pressure off.
A fire can be the most devastating thing to happen to your home, and the effects can be traumatic. We understand the destruction fire causes. Our aim is to take away the stress by surveying the damage and negotiating your claim with your insurer, working towards a fair settlement.
Straight after a fire
- Wait until it's safeOnly go back inside once the fire service says you can.
- Call your insurerReport the fire and ask about emergency help, like somewhere to stay.
- Take photosOf every room, including smoke and soot damage, before anything is cleaned.
- Keep damaged itemsDon't throw anything away until your insurer agrees.
- Keep your receiptsFor anything you have to buy, such as clothes, food or a hotel.
What a fire claim can include
Fire damage usually goes much further than the flames. What you can claim for depends on your policy, so we go through it with you.
The building itself
Roofs, walls, floors and joists damaged by the fire.
Smoke and soot
Smoke can stain and contaminate rooms the fire never reached.
Water from firefighting
The water used to put the fire out often causes damage of its own.
Smells and residue
Smoke odour and toxic residue that need specialist cleaning.
Your belongings
Furniture, clothes and possessions, if you have contents cover.
Somewhere to stay
Many policies cover alternative accommodation while your home is put right.
Why fire claims are complicated
Fire claims usually involve several kinds of damage at once, and each one needs its own evidence and costing. Missing one can make a real difference to your settlement. We make sure everything is found, recorded and included in your schedule of works.
Somewhere to stay and your belongings
If your home isn't safe to live in, many policies cover alternative accommodation, and contents cover can pay for damaged belongings. We include everything your policy allows in your claim.
How the claims process works
From the first visit to the day your settlement is paid, here's what happens at each stage.
0800 689 3802Free home visit
We come and look at the damage, work out what caused it and talk you through how a claim would work, including our fee. There's no pressure to decide on the day. If you want us to go ahead, you sign a letter of authority so we can deal with your insurer for you.
We take over with your insurer
We tell your insurer we're acting for you. They will usually send a loss adjuster, who works for them, to look at the damage. We deal with the adjuster on your behalf and join the site meeting, so you're not facing it on your own.
We prepare your schedule of works
We put together a detailed schedule of works: every repair your home needs to get it back to how it was before the damage, with costs. Along with photos and reports, this is the evidence your claim is built on. We then send it to your insurer.
We negotiate your settlement
We go through your insurer's response line by line. If anything has been missed or undervalued, we challenge it on your behalf. We keep you updated throughout, and nothing is agreed without your say so.
Your settlement is paid to you
Once the settlement is agreed, your insurer pays it directly to you, less any excess on your policy. Our fee is then due, exactly as we agreed at the start. That completes our loss assessing service.
After your claim
Need cleaning and restoration work done? Our sister company, Renova Rebuild Ltd, can carry out cleaning, decontamination and restoration work under a separate agreement with you. You are not required to use Renova Rebuild in order to use our loss assessing service.
"I would highly recommend using Beon property claims whenever you are making an insurance claim. It takes away the stress of dealing directly with insurance providers."Susan, Bark review March 2022
Fire damage claim questions
Does home insurance cover fire damage?
Fire is covered by most buildings and contents policies. What is included, and your excess, depends on your policy. We go through it with you at the free home visit.
Can I claim for smoke damage in rooms the fire didn't reach?
Often, yes. Smoke and soot can travel through the whole house, so we record the damage room by room and include it in your claim.
Will my insurer pay for somewhere to stay?
Many policies include alternative accommodation if your home isn't safe to live in. Ask your insurer about it straight away, and we can include it as part of your claim.
Should I clean up before the insurer visits?
No. Make your home safe, take photos and keep damaged items until your insurer agrees you can clear them.
How long does a fire claim take?
Fire claims are often bigger than other claims and can take longer, depending on how much damage there is and on your insurer. We keep you updated at every stage.
Had a fire at home? Give us a call.
We'll talk you through where you stand and what happens next.