Fire Damage Insurance Claims: What Oklahoma Homeowners Need to Know

Fire is undoubtedly one of the most destructive elements. Fires have accidental or natural causes. Since dry weather and windy conditions make Oklahoma prone to wildfires, wildfire season is a very anxious time for homeowners, especially when navigating an Oklahoma fire damage insurance claim.

The last wildfires in Oklahoma caused significant damage. hey killed and injured people, burned almost 180,000 acres of land, and destroying over 200 homes. The March 2025 wildfires were some of the worst ever experienced in the state.

As an Oklahoma homeowner, it’s natural to think of how fire damage can affect you. Naturally, you could believe that with your homeowner’s insurance, you will be protected from the impact of any fire. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

When it is not explicitly due to natural causes, insurance companies are quick to deny fire insurance claims. Without the help of experienced fire insurance claim attorneys, insurance companies may engage in wrongful denial tactics to minimize your payout. At the Aizenman Law Group, our insurance claim lawyers understand the responsibilities insurance companies have and will hold them accountable.

Types of Fire Damage Covered by Insurance & What is Typically Covered in Oklahoma

When you try to secure insurance against potential fire damage, you will likely hear about the different types of fire damage you can insure against. These include:

Damage from flames: This refers to the primary damage caused by the fire. This type of coverage provides for repair or replacement costs when a fire causes damage to your home and detached buildings on your property.
Smoke damage: This coverage pays for any inconveniences caused by smoke or soot, even if the fire didn’t directly affect the property.
Firefighting damage: Firefighting damage coverage protects you from damage caused by firefighters or the water and chemicals they use.
Personal property damage: This covers personal belongings the fire damaged, including furniture, appliances, gadgets, and clothing.
Additional living expenses: This covers costs you incur when forced to live away from home because a fire damaged it or while repairs are underway.

Most standard homeowner policies in Oklahoma cover electrical fires, lightning, and wildfires, which often form the basis of an Oklahoma fire damage insurance claim. However, your policy may include a deductible for wildfires. A standard Oklahoma policy likely ensures that your house gets rebuilt or repaired and helps you replace damaged personal property after an accidental fire. For fires caused accidentally, you may also be liable if someone gets injured or property is destroyed as a result of the fire.

Steps to Take Before a Fire Happens and Immediately Afterwards

Sticky notes showing steps for an Oklahoma fire damage insurance claim: Review Policy, Get Estimate, Document Damage, Contact Insurer. — Quick reference steps for homeowners to navigate an Oklahoma fire damage insurance claim after a fire.

Here are some things you should do before a fire happens:

Understand your policy: It’s crucial that you carefully review your policy to understand what it covers, as it’s not enough to simply know you have coverage if a fire occurs. Many policies have limits and exclusions that restrict the amount you can claim.
Continually review your policy: Since your home is likely one of your most valuable possessions, and it stores your most important belongings, regular policy reviews are essential. Always consider whether your insurance is sufficient to rebuild your home in the event of a loss.
Take inventory occasionally: To make sure insurance replaces personal items lost in a fire, take stock of your belongings regularly. While this may seem like a chore, it ultimately strengthens your claim. Take pictures of receipts when you purchase items for your home and keep evidence that you still have or use these items.
Take reasonable steps to prevent fire damage: By clearing debris in your yard and gutters, you can help prevent severe fire damage from interrupting your life.

Immediately after a fire, here’s what you need to do:

Prioritize the safety of all persons on your property.
Call 911 or the nearest fire department immediately.
If you or anyone else has been injured, seek medical attention immediately.
If the fire damage makes your home uninhabitable, secure temporary accommodation.
Inform your insurance company that a fire has affected your home but avoid making assertive statements before speaking to a fire insurance claim attorney.
Contact an experienced fire damage insurance attorney from Aizenman Law Group.

How the Claims Process Works and Common Reasons Claims Get Denied

To file an insurance claim, contact your insurance company to initiate the process. You’ll typically complete a form or write a letter, with evidence of the fire damage. Provide clear proof of the extent. An insurance adjuster visits the fire scene to investigate and verify your claim. Based on their findings, the adjuster will recommend whether the insurer should deny, reduce, or approve your claim.

While insurance companies are required to act in good faith, that’s not always the case when processing an Oklahoma fire damage insurance claim. Insurers often deny or undervalued claims. Here are the most common reasons why:

Insufficient documentation: Claims that are incomplete or lack sufficient evidence may be denied.
Inflated claims: When claimants try to recover more than was lost, insurers may view the claim as fraudulent and deny it.
Valuation disagreements: Disputes over item value, where insurers use depreciation or argue over costs, often result in reduced payouts.
Missed deadlines or procedural errors: Not meeting the requirements outlined in the policy can lead to denials.
Allegations of negligence or exclusions: Insurers might claim the fire was caused by negligence or an excluded risk.

Consult the experienced insurance claim lawyers at Aizenman Law Group before giving a statement to a fire insurance claim adjuster. Adjusters work to protect the insurer’s interests. Even seemingly harmless comments can mislead adjusters into undervaluing your losses.

Our former insurance defense attorneys at Aizenman Law Group know the tactics adjusters use to undervalue or wrongfully deny fire insurance claims. Always seek professional advice first to protect your rights and interests.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value: What Oklahoma Homeowners Need to Know

When filing a fire damage insurance claim, understanding how your policy calculates your payout is crucial. Insurance companies generally use one of two methods: Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV).

ACV considers depreciation and pays you the value of your damaged property minus wear and tear. For example, if your couch was ten years old, your insurer might only pay a fraction of its original cost.
RCV covers the cost of replacing your damaged items with new ones of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation.

While RCV offers more comprehensive coverage, many policies default to ACV unless you’ve paid for additional RCV coverage. You need to know which one your policy uses before filing a claim, especially for costly repairs or large fire-related losses.

If you’re unsure how your policy handles ACV vs. RCV or if you’re facing a dispute over your payout, Aizenman Law Group’s experienced insurance claim attorneys can review your policy and fight to secure the compensation you deserve.

Experienced Fire Insurance Claim Attorneys at Your Service

If you are looking to file a fire damage insurance claim, having an experienced insurance claim attorney makes the process far less stressful. At Aizenman Law Group, we understand that after your property is destroyed in a fire, the last thing you want to do is battle insurance companies.

Call Aizenman Law Group at 918-215-8856 any time day or night for a no-cost consultation. Let’s work together to get you the compensation you need to move forward.