Fire, Water, and Your Insurance: Your Duties and How a Public Adjuster Helps

Fire, Water, and Your Insurance: Your Duties and How a Public Adjuster Helps

When you experience a devastating property loss from a fire or a major water leak, your world is turned upside down. Your first instinct is to call your insurance company, expecting them to take care of everything. But what most homeowners don't realize is that an insurance policy is a contract that requires you to perform specific actions after a loss.

It’s true. Buried in your policy is a clause titled “Your Duties After Loss.” Failing to follow these duties is one of the most common, and heartbreaking, reasons for a claim to be delayed, partially paid, or even denied.

The good news? You don't have to face this complex process alone. While the insurance company has its own adjuster, you can hire your own licensed professional, a Public Adjuster, to manage these duties for you.

Your Duties After a Water Loss

When water invades your home, time is your enemy. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 24-48 hours. Your primary duty is to prevent the damage from getting worse.

• Give Prompt Notice: Report the loss to your insurance agent or company immediately.

• Mitigate Further Damage: This is the most critical step. Your policy requires you to take all reasonable steps to stop further damage. This includes calling a professional water extraction company immediately, don't wait for the insurance company's adjuster.

• Protect Your Property: Move undamaged or salvageable items to a dry, secure location.

• Keep a Record: Take photos and videos of everything. Keep all receipts for any money you spend on emergency repairs.

How a Public Adjuster Helps: A Public Adjuster can immediately take charge of this process. They can bring in trusted, professional mitigation companies, ensure the drying and cleanup are documented correctly for the insurer, and prevent you from making crucial mistakes in the chaotic first hours of a loss.

Your Duties After a Fire Loss

A fire is uniquely destructive, and your duties reflect the need to secure the property and accurately document a total or near-total loss.

• Give Prompt Notice: Contact your insurance company immediately.

• Secure the Property: You must protect your home from further damage or theft. This often means boarding up windows and tarping the roof.

• Don't Throw Anything Away: It’s tempting to clear out debris, but resist the urge. Your policy gives the insurer the right to inspect the damaged property. Disposing of items before they are seen could lead to that part of your claim being denied.

• Prepare an Inventory of Damaged Personal Property: This is your most demanding duty. You must provide a detailed list of every single damaged item, including its description, age, and what it would cost to replace today.

How a Public Adjuster Helps: The personal property inventory is where a Public Adjuster provides immense value. Asking a family to itemize every spoon, sock, and book they've ever owned after losing their home is a monumental task. A Public Adjuster and their team specialize in this. They will spend dozens of hours meticulously documenting and valuing your lost possessions, ensuring the list is formatted exactly as the insurance company requires to maximize your claim and lift that incredible burden from your shoulders.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone: Your Advocate in the Process

A Public Adjuster is a state-licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for you, the policyholder. The adjuster sent by your insurance company works for and is paid by the insurance company. A Public Adjuster levels the playing field.

Their entire job is to:

• Analyze your policy to understand your coverage.

• Take over the entire claims process, from documentation to communication.

• Ensure all of your "duties after loss" are met perfectly.

• Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to achieve the maximum settlement you are entitled to.

The Harsh Reality: Failure to Comply Can Cost You Everything

Your insurance policy is a conditional contract. The insurance company’s obligation to pay is conditioned on you fulfilling your duties. If you fail to act, they may have grounds to deny your claim, arguing that your actions (or lack thereof) have harmed their ability to investigate the loss.

Hiring a Public Adjuster is your single best defense against this. They ensure every box is checked, every deadline is met, and every contractual obligation is fulfilled on your behalf.

The Bottom Line: When disaster strikes, remember your responsibilities. While you are ultimately responsible for them, you have the right to bring in your own expert to handle them for you. By engaging a Public Adjuster, you uphold your end of the contract while giving yourself the best possible chance for a fair, full, and less stressful financial recovery.

If you or someone you know has suffered a property damage loss, reach out to Drake Adjustment Group for a free consultation. No commitment. No high pressure sales tactics. Just a passion for helping those in their time of need. 

Visit www.drakeagi.com or call 516-631-DAGI.