Commercial Fire Damage

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Have you experienced a devastating loss from a fire or wildfire?

Fires – and the resulting smoke damage – can lead to total loss of a business, and often the aftermath is as emotionally challenging as the event itself. The loss of a business to a fire or wildfire can present great hardship and challenges.

Business owners have commercial property insurance to provide financial security in these situations, but the insurance companies often make the process even more frustrating.

If an insurance company fails to treat you fairly or delays their response, it could have catastrophic effects on your business. Time is money in business, and if repairs are not done quickly, you risk losing profits.

If your fire claim has been unfairly delayed, denied or disputed, Raizner Slania’s lawyers for property disputes can help.

Have you had issues with your insurance company after a fire to any of the following?

  • Multi-family dwellings
  • Office buildings
  • Retail property
  • Industrial property
  • Hotels & motels
  • Special purpose property

We’ve worked with various experts, including contractors, public adjusters, engineers, and more to assess the true value of your claim. We will fight for the maximum amount appropriate for the situation and make the insurance company honor its obligations.

Commercial fire insurance claims, disputes, delays, and denials

Insurance companies often employ tactics that benefit themselves, not the policyholders who have paid premiums in case of a catastrophic event like a fire.

They often attempt to shift blame for an event to something not covered under their policy. An insurance company may dispute costs of repairs and request that inexpensive, inferior supplies be used.

Many times an insurance company will refuse to acknowledge that the commercial building is a total loss in order to avoid strong consumer protection laws and to pay less than what is owed under “valued policy” laws.

Policyholders have rights too, but the insurance industry often overlooks them. Insurance companies frequently use intimidation and other tactics to avoid fair and prompt payment under their contract.

The lawyers for commercial property disputes at Raizner Slania are aware of these tactics and excuses and can help fight for what is owed to the policyholder.

We will not settle for less than what is necessary for your business to rebuild and for you to financially recover.

Raizner Slania’s team of lawyers for property disputes represent your best interest in a commercial fire claim

Raizner Slania’s lawyers for commercial property disputes have a proven history of fighting insurance companies to protect the rights of the insured. We know the hurdles the insurance industry will put up in an attempt to mitigate their damages and costs.

Every case at Raizner Slania is treated as though it will be taken to trial. We do not believe in starting the process with settling as the goal. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your business.

96% of insurance denials overturned
Over $150M+ in arbitration awards for policyholders

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my business was damaged by a fire?

Fire has no mercy on anything it comes in contact with. As it makes its way through your business, it can lead to terrible devastation, consuming everything from documents, furniture, electronics, machinery, equipment, inventory, and so much more. Electrical wiring will be impacted as well as the structure as a whole – if it is left standing at all.

After the fire department has completed everything it needs to do, you will want to assess the damage. If you decide to move forward with filing a claim with your insurance company, be sure you take pictures and document the fire, smoke, and water damage for your own records.

Hopefully, you have kept your insurance policy information in a safe place. If not, your insurance company should be able to provide you with instructions on how to file a claim and a copy of your policy if you want to confirm what is or isn’t covered.

How long do I have to file a claim for fire damage to my commercial property?

Typically, most policies allow one (1) year from the date the damage occurred to file a claim. Your insurance company will determine the length of time you have to file a commercial fire insurance claim – and this time limit will be stated within your policy, so be sure to get acquainted with it.

Because this fire will impact your overall business – and livelihood – it is a good idea to get your claim filed immediately so you can attempt to get back up and running as soon as possible.

How do I file a fire insurance claim for my business?

Every insurance company has its own designated process for filing a claim. This information can usually be found documented within your policy, on their website, or found out via a telephone call with an agent. To be sure you are covering all the bases, it is a good idea to reach out to your insurance provider and make sure you are following all the proper steps to get the claim filed.

If there is severe damage or this is an emergency, this is the time to let them know so they can respond accordingly.

What happens during the fire insurance claim process?

When you file an insurance claim for commercial fire damage, an insurance adjuster will come out to assess the damage. This adjuster works for the insurance company and is looking out for their interests – not yours. Therefore, the assessment may likely be skewed.

You may want to hire your own independent public adjuster. This individual will work for you with your best interests in mind. That way you can compare the public adjuster’s damage estimate to the one provided by the insurer’s adjuster – and determine your next steps.

What happens if my insurance carrier denies my fire damage claim?

As we said, insurance companies are looking out for their own pockets and use different tactics to do so. If your claim was denied – or even low-balled, delayed, etc. – then you need to contact the law firm of Raizner Slania today at (844) 554-9099. We handle bad faith insurance litigation cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless you do.

Let us help you get your claim paid so that your business can get back up and running.