Handling the Immediate Aftermath of a Commercial Fire

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire can be confusing and panic-inducing.

Fire Restoration And Claim Success

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire can be confusing and panic-inducing. Most people, if they're lucky, never experience a fire disaster. However, as a manager or business owner, if you do experience such a disaster, it is crucial that you understand what to do following the event. There are at least three steps that you should take immediately following the emergency to ensure fire restoration and claim success.

1. Contact Your Insurance Company
When the fire department leaves the scene, the first thing that you should do is contact your commercial insurance provider. You will need to explain the circumstances surrounding the event and officially request to file a claim. Your fire insurance policy agent should schedule an insurance adjuster to come out to the site and review the damage. Depending on the severity of the incident, it can take a few days or more for the adjuster to arrive.

2. Contact a Restoration Service
You should not hesitate to hire a remediation or restoration company in Buncombe County, NC. Waiting can lead to more damage, and that is likely damage that your insurance company will not cover. A significant job of a restoration service is mitigation, meaning to stop further problems from developing. On contact, the restoration service should send out a project manager or team to inspect your facility and come up with a recovery game plan. The service will also work with your insurer to help protect the claims process.

3. Take Pictures for Proof of Loss
If your facility is accessible and safe to walk through, you should go around and take pictures of the damage and equipment loss, some equipment is likely salvageable through smoke cleaning. Additionally, you want to find receipts or any evidence of past purchases to show the insurance adjuster when they arrive for their investigation.
A commercial fire is a terrifying experience. It is normal to feel out of your depth during a rare personal experience. However, it is also necessary to keep your wits about you and follow standard fire restoration protocols to ensure business recovery.