Unfortunately, fires often happen when they’re least expected. A fire inside a home can spread incredibly quickly, causing damage across the property and posing a threat to lives inside. If a fire does happen in your home, getting support from your fire damage insurance provider is key. In this article from All Property Claims, you can find out everything you need to know about getting the support you need after a fire in your property.
The Causes of Fires in Homes
There’s no one reason why fires start in a property. From accidental cooking fires to undetected faulty wiring, it can be difficult to anticipate when a fire may begin. Read on to find out some major causes of fires in residential properties, helping you to avoid a serious issue.
Electrical Problems
Fires can be started by electrical issues found in your home, including faulty wiring and overloaded circuits. Remember to have your electrics checked for their safety and immediately stop using an item if it exhibits signs of an electrical fault.
Arson
Maliciously enacted, fires can be caused by those wishing to commit arson. Arson is a criminal act where someone purposefully sets fire to a property, whether commercial or residential. Some reasons why people may choose to set fire to a building include revenge, jealousy, and to conceal the evidence of a crime that has happened on the premises.
Cigarettes
One often overlooked cause of fires is cigarettes. Left near a stove or disposed of improperly, cigarettes can lead to fires. If you do smoke, it’s important to do so responsibly. Lit cigarettes should always be kept away from any flammable or combustible items, and you should ensure the cigarette is stubbed out before binning.
Candles
While candles offer pleasurable scents and cosy alternatives to electric lighting, they do have their disadvantages. If you choose to have candles in your home, you must keep them in an area away from flammable or combustible items to prevent a fire from starting. Similarly, lit candles should be out of reach from your pets and young children, as their contact can lead to dangerous accidents. Finally, you or another responsible adult should always be present if there is a lit candle in a room.
Cooking Accidents
At one point or another, we have all accidentally let something burn in the oven. Unfortunately, however, more serious accidents can happen in the kitchen. From grease fires to microwave fires, it’s essential to be aware of what you’re putting in your kitchen appliances. Never put metals in the microwave and ensure you are paying attention to anything you are cooking.
Flammable Liquids and Aerosols
In any home, you will be likely to find flammable liquids or aerosols somewhere. From hairspray to petrol, it’s important to keep these away from heat to prevent them from causing a fire in your home. Aerosols in particular can be at risk of an unexpected explosion if put near sources of heat, due to high pressure within the can.
Home Fires and Insurance Policies
While every policy is different, your home insurance should cover you in the event of a fire. In this section, you’ll find some important things to keep in mind if you’ve had a fire in your home.
The Importance of Getting Help Fast
The level of damage in your home will directly impact how well your daily home life can continue. While some fire damage may be minor, it can cause problems in your property. Substantial damage, on the other hand, can prevent you from being able to live there at all, with your belongings having also been destroyed in the fire. Getting back on your feet after a fire can be difficult, so you need all the support you can get in making a successful fire damage insurance claim.
What Will Be Covered
Before making any fire insurance claims, you should first read through your policy to find out what may be covered. A reliable home insurance policy should cover any accidental fires that happen inside your home. This should further include any smoke damage that has occurred. With added contents insurance, your policy should also cover the loss of your belongings.
It’s possible that your policy will also cover damages caused by steps taken by the emergency services to put out the fire inside your home, including any water damage or damaged entrances.
What Won’t Be Covered
There are some situations in which your home insurance provider will not pay out. These should all be listed in any agreements you have had with this provider, however, you should make sure you know these rules in their entirety.
It’s important to have evidence showing that you have been taking the right steps to keep your home protected. This includes making sure to routinely check your fire alarms and change their batteries when necessary.
Our Services
At All Property Claims, we understand that it can be difficult to make a fire damage insurance claim with your insurance company after your property has become damaged. That’s why we provide an end-to-end service to help you deal with your home insurance fire damage claim, supporting you every step of the way.
Our services are designed to help you during a distressing time, with our experienced team handling everything from assessment to restoration. To help you understand more about our process, below is a simple breakdown of what we will do for you.
On your behalf, we will:
- Survey your property, taking note of the damages
- Read your fire damage insurance policy to learn what you might be entitled to
- Speak to your insurer to come to an agreement over the settlement of your claim
- Carry out the restoration and repair of your property
Get In Touch
If you have recently had a fire and need support in making a fire damage insurance claim, our team at All Property Services are here to help. To find out why you should choose us, please visit our website, where you can also find further advice in our useful blog posts. To start your journey toward making a claim in London or the surrounding areas, please contact us directly today.