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FIRE DAMAGE SURVIVAL GUIDE
You've had a fire. Now what?
A fire is disruptive to your normal pattern of life and can involve a lot of emotional stress. People often feel confused and vulnerable after these kinds of events. The added pressure of needing to make good decisions doesn't help! These are decisions that you will be living with for years. We have put together this Fire Damage Survival Guide to help you navigate the chaos and complexity of fire damage restoration.
Fire Damage Do's and Don'ts
Fire and smoke can damage or destroy property from buildings to clothing and furniture. After the safety of loved ones is insured, your top priority will likely be getting your property back to normal. When you’re facing the aftermath of a disaster, this can seem like an impossible task. Here is a list of things to do and NOT do when you experience fire damage. Learn More.
Asbestos Safety After A Fire
Smoke and toxic gases from fires kill more people than flames do. Colorado enacted legislation to protect property owners, tenants and workers from possible exposure to hazardous asbestos. Abbotts coordinates with an independent firm to conduct asbestos testing in accordance with state regulations. Learn More.
Selecting a Contractor
Fire restoration is a job that demands prompt attention. This does not mean, however, that you should hire the first restoration contractor that knocks on your door. Take your time and exercise due diligence to hire the right fire restoration contractor for your job. Here are a few things for you to consider.
Understanding Insurance Coverage
In the US, there are over one million fires reported yearly. The National Fire Protection Association's 2017 report estimates a home fire occurs every 88 seconds. Without insurance, homeowners would be left on their own to pay for the billions of dollars in property damage. Fortunately, a majority of homeowners policies provide home fire insurance coverage. Here are a few important things to know...
Nearly all homeowners insurance policies cover home fires. There are a few exclusions and limitations depending on the policy, however, they should provide up to the limits specified. Insurance pays for damage to property structure and home contents; some policies also cover living expenses if you have to vacate your home during restoration. Hiring a professional restoration service to perform a comprehensive assessment of cleanup and restoration costs can help to maximize coverage. LEARN MORE
Your insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company. It entitles you to certain rights and imposes certain obligations. This Bill of Rights has been prepared so that you may better understand the policy you have purchased - and how it relates to the repairs you need as a result of your fire damage. Standard Homeowners Policies generally contains the same provisions throughout the United States and Canada. Understand your rights and obligations under its terms. LEARN MORE.
The Colorado Insurance Consumer Freedom of Choice bill was signed into law on September 13, 2007. This law prevents insurance companies from controlling – directly or indirectly – which restoration company you use to restore your property. People often wonder why such a law was necessary. The reality is that insurance companies are in business to make a profit. When you file a claim, the insurance company has a conflict of interest. They have a responsibility to you, the policyholder, but they also have a responsibility to the shareholders to minimize the payout on your claim so they can make more profit. This conflict too often resulted in insurance companies taking advantage of policyholders.
Under this law, you have the right to choose your own restoration contractor, you have the right to have your claim paid promptly and you have the right to know if your insurance company has a business arrangement with your restoration company. The bottom line is that you have the right to choose an independent contractor that ensures your insurance company acts in your best interests. LEARN MORE.
Insurers often pay 30-60 percent of the cost of rebuilding a damaged home — even when carriers assure homeowners they’re fully covered, thousands of complaints with state insurance departments and civil court cases show. Paying out less to victims of catastrophes has helped produce record profits. In the past 12 years, insurance company net income has soared — even in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. LEARN MORE.
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Understanding Fire & Smoke Damage Property Restoration
Most fire damage restoration projects include cleanup and restoration of contents as well as structure. Fire damage can be from fire, smoke, or the water used to extinguish the flames. Fire damage cleanup is a long and tedious process. The sooner you get fire damage cleaned up and repaired, the better for you, your property, and your wallet. It is important to take immediate action but it needs to be the right action so that you do not do more harm than good. Here's what you need to know...
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