What to Do After a Fire and When to Call a Commercial Damage Restoration Company like SERVPRO

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: A fire is devastating for any business owner, but handling the aftermath requires four important steps toward commercial damage restoration. SERVPRO offers advice on where to start. 

Even a minor fire at a commercial property means a lot of disruptions for the business and its employees. Commercial damage restoration services cannot begin until the chaos dies down, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t proactive steps to take in the meantime. 

The SERVPRO professionals suggest four tips for how to handle commercial damage restoration most effectively after a fire.

What to Do After a Commercial Fire: Filing a Fire Claim To Cover Commercial Damage Restoration

Calling to file an insurance claim might be the first response once the fire department leaves the site, but there are four preceding steps needed to ensure the claims process goes smoothly. 

#1 Is a Claim Necessary?

Evaluate the situation first to see whether a fire damage claim is necessary. Making a call to cover commercial damage restoration ignites an entire paperwork trail after a fire, and the process isn’t over quickly. Consider the extent of the damage as well as the time required for business interruptions—is it worth making the claim official? 

If so, assess the overall damage to the building. If the fire engulfed much of it, an insurance claim is the only route. However, if the fire only affected a small section of the commercial premises, a claim might not be enough of an advantage to mitigate the cost or effort.

It’s worth looking at the insurance policy’s deductible and asking for a repair estimate from a contractor like SERVPRO. If the repair cost is lower than the deductible amount, paying for restoration without filing a claim might be an option. It will also prevent insurance rates from increasing when the policy ticks over.

#2 How Will a Claim Disrupt The Business?

Many insurance policies include coverage for interruption of business, and it might be possible to recoup some lost revenue, depending on the extent of the damage. For example, if the business needs to close for repairs, it loses income daily. It is wise to do the calculations of whether the policy covers the interruption before filing a claim.

#3 What Does The Insurer Advise?

If the policy will cover business interruptions and the scope of the fire damage, call the insurance agency. The business owner or responsible party will need to be clear about the need for interruption of business-coverage, even if it’s in the policy. Providing the adjuster with pictures and videos of the damage also verifies the details.

#4 How Can SERVPRO Help with Fire Restoration?

After a fire, it can be tempting to hire the first available contractor or cleaning service. Before making contact, it’s best to do some research:

• Check the contractor’s website to verify their credentials and certifications. 
• Verify the company is in good standing by reading reviews online.
• Consider the interaction. Is the company as professional and experienced as the team at SERVPRO?

In addition to fire services, SERVPRO of Palo Alto, California, handles water damage, water removal, and water cleanup from flood damage. As a part of the water restoration process, SERVPRO also takes care of mold removal and mold remediation for thorough commercial damage restoration and cleanup service. Contact SERVPRO today at 650-800-3448 or visit them at 2225 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 270, Palo Alto, CA 94303.