What to Know about Fire Damage Claims for Oklahoma Homeowners and Renters
A home fire is one of the most devastating events an Oklahoma homeowner or renter can face. Within minutes, cherished belongings and your home can be reduced to ashes. Oklahoma’s dry seasons increase the risk of wildfires and accidental house fires. It’s essential to have adequate coverage to compensate for your losses.
When the flames are extinguished, and it’s time to pick up the pieces, it’s time for the insurance claims process. This process can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with the help of the right attorney. From severe injuries to wrongfully denied insurance claims, Aizenman Law Group’s award-winning Tulsa personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of clients recover millions.
This guide walks Oklahoma homeowners and renters through the critical steps of understanding fire insurance coverage and what to expect when filing a fire claim. Whether you need help to understand your policy or to maximize your payout, you can move forward confidently with Aizenman Law Group.
Understanding Fire Insurance Coverage in Oklahoma
Having the right fire insurance coverage can make all the difference in how quickly you recover when disaster strikes. Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies typically include coverage for fire damage. Because each policy is different, you should know what types of damages your policy covers. A Tulsa insurance claim lawyer can help you understand your policy and determine if your bargained-for contractual rights are violated.
Homeowners Insurance Fire Coverage in Oklahoma
Homeowners’ insurance policies in Oklahoma usually cover the structure of your home and your personal property. Personal property includes items like furniture, electronics, and clothing. Your policy should cover repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing damaged property.
Loss of use coverage is a common attribute of homeowners and renter insurance. Loss of use coverage covers various expenses if a severe weather event or fire damages your home. One fire or tornado and you’re left with mounting temporary housing costs and having to spend massive amounts on meals you could have made at home. Additionally, pet owners may face boarding costs if their temporary accommodation does not allow pets.
Learn whether your policy covers replacement costs or actual cash value for personal items. Replacement cost refers to replacing a damaged item with a new one at current market prices. Actual cash value is the replacement cost minus depreciation, considering wear and tear on the item over time. This distinction can dramatically impact your settlement.
Oklahoma homeowners living in wildfire-prone areas should consider adding fire endorsements or riders to their policies. Extra protection may be necessary to cover high-value items.
Renters Insurance Fire Coverage in Oklahoma
Renters may not own the property where they reside, but their belongings are still at risk if a fire damages their residence. Oklahoma renters’ insurance policies may cover damage to personal property following a fire. Many policies offer liability coverage if the renter is liable for starting the fire that caused the property damage. Loss of use coverage is also available under renters’ insurance policies.
What to Expect During the Claims Process
The aftermath of a fire can seem just as stressful as the fire itself. The insurance claims process has different stages and many opportunities for insurance adjustors to belittle your claim. Knowing how the claims process operates can help you prepare and avoid common pitfalls.
Once the fire is extinguished and medical needs are attended to, you should act quickly to begin the claims process, starting by notifying your insurance company. Most companies require policyholders to report fire damage within a specific timeframe. During the initial call, avoid providing information beyond the bare minimum required. Do not give a recorded statement, as it may be used against you.
Document the damage to the best of your abilities. Take photos and videos of the damage before moving or cleaning anything. Document everything from significant structural damage to minor personal property losses. Knowing the full extent of your losses is the first step to receiving a fair settlement.
What Does an Insurance Adjuster Do?
An insurance adjuster’s job is to investigate your claim thoroughly. While they may seem friendly, they work for the insurance company and want to minimize your payout following fire damage.
The adjuster will visit your home to inspect the fire damage, which includes structural damage to the building and personal property losses. You should provide the adjuster with photos, videos, any receipts you have for damaged items, and repair estimates. They’ll use this information to create a report for your insurance company.
The adjuster’s report will include an estimate of the cost to repair or replace the damaged property. While most adjusters act professionally, their primary goal is to protect the insurance company’s financial interests. This usually leads to low-ball initial offers and pressure to settle quickly.
Dealing with Wrongful Denial and Wrongful Claims in Oklahoma Fire Insurance
Having your insurance claim wrongfully denied complicates the recovery process. Often, legitimate claims are either rejected or misrepresented by their insurance company. A wrongful denial insurance claim occurs when an insurance company arbitrarily rejects your legitimate fire damage claim. Oklahoma law requires insurers to act in good faith and to treat their policyholders fairly.
Despite the good faith requirement, insurance companies may engage in deceptive tactics, including:
- Misrepresentation of Coverage: Insurers may claim that fire damage falls outside the scope of their policy when it does not
- Inadequate Investigation: Wrongful denial can result when an adjuster rushes through the inspection or overlooks key details.
- Lowball Offers: While not an outright denial, offering significantly less than the actual cost of repairs or replacements is a form of wrongful claim insurance handling.
If your insurance company has denied your claim without valid reason or has offered an unreasonably low settlement, it may be engaging in bad faith practices. In these cases, you have legal options to challenge the denial.
We Don’t Play Games with Insurance Companies
At Aizenman Law Group, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with adjusters who don’t have your best interests at heart. We’re experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and holding them accountable under Oklahoma law.
We can fight for your rights if you’ve experienced delays, low offers, or coverage disputes. We’ve helped countless Oklahomans get the maximum payout for their fire claims, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Contact Aizenman Law Group today for a free consultation. Let us handle the adjusters so you can focus on rebuilding your life.
