Hidden Fire Loss Damages That Insurance Damages Experts Help You Determine
Property owners possess fire coverages for protection against losses due to accidental fires, explosions, or lightning. However, your insurance company only compensates for evidenced losses.
Direct losses such as burnt machinery and buildings are easy to prove with photographs and police reports. But, on the other hand, fires also result in hidden damages which require professional expertise to unveil relevant evidence.
Find below the hidden fire loss damages that only an insurance damages expert helps you determine.
1. Soot and Smoke Damages
Smoke from the fire usually leaves soot circulating in the burned property. Ingestion and Inhalation of the soot may result in respiratory complications, eye issues, and skin damage. Your property insurance policy covers cleaning and medical expenses. However, you provide evidence of the incurred losses before such compensations are made.
An expert in insurance damages helps you determine the following signs of soot and smoke damage:
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Stained upholstery and fabric
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Odor
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Corrosion, pitting, and rust of jewelry and pipes
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Paint discoloration
Soot lingers on walls and other surfaces like electronics in a property, causing long-term damages to your items. Unfortunately, it is difficult to prove such damages without any legal expertise.
2. Firefighting Water Damages
Firefighters pour water all over your property to eradicate the fire. And this water may cause structural problems or destruction of electronics and furniture. It also results in mold growth which eventually causes respiratory issues.
3. Water and Sewage Pipes Damages
PVC water and sewage pipes may melt when your property catches fire. The melted pipes leak carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses that result in breathing complications when inhaled. You'll have hefty pipe repair bills when insurance adjusters overlook these damages.
An experienced insurance damages expert helps you find evidence of faulty plumbing and damaged pipes after the fire.
In addition, ensure that you turn off the main valves to restrict water flows once you notice plumbing issues after the fire.
4. Appliance Damages
Extreme heat from the fire may make your appliances melt internally. They become dangerous and unusable when this happens. You may not notice these damages immediately after the fire is put out. Thus it is difficult for you to prove they were damaged during the fire.
Conclusion
Fires are common causes of property damages, and compensation for any losses is easy with insurance cover. However, Insurance claims are complicated, and some cases get thrown out for lack of enough evidence, thus the need to contact your insurance company for guidance immediately after a fire incident.
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