Claims we handle
Fire and smoke damage claims
A fire claim is really several claims at once: the building, everything in it, smoke and soot, water from putting it out, and the cost of living somewhere else. We handle all of it.
Fire losses are the most complex property claims most people will ever deal with, and they arrive at the worst possible time. You're displaced, the house smells of smoke, and the insurance company wants an itemized list of everything you owned.
We take that work off your plate. We document the structure and the contents, track your living expenses, and negotiate each part of the claim so nothing gets settled short because it was hard to prove.
Paramount is a licensed public adjusting firm in Flowery Branch, Georgia, serving Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. We represent the policyholder, never the insurance company, and the first review of your claim is free.
What we document on a fire claim
Structure. Framing, roof, drywall, wiring, plumbing and finishes, including areas damaged by heat that didn't burn.
Smoke and soot. Smoke that travels into closed rooms, attics, ductwork and HVAC systems, plus odor treatment.
Water from firefighting. Damage from the water and chemicals used to put the fire out.
Contents inventory. A room-by-room inventory of personal property, often thousands of items, with values.
Additional living expenses. Hotel or rent, extra food and mileage costs while you can't live at home, if your policy includes loss of use.
Debris removal and code upgrades. Clearing the site and work the building code requires when you rebuild, depending on your coverage.
The contents inventory
Insurers usually require a detailed list of damaged personal property with quantities, ages and values. For a whole-house fire that can take weeks, and anything left off the list is usually never paid. We help build the inventory room by room so it's complete and supported.
Actual cash value and replacement cost
Many policies pay actual cash value first, which is replacement cost minus depreciation, then release the withheld depreciation after you repair or replace. That recoverable depreciation can be a large share of the claim, and it's easy to lose track of. We make sure it's calculated fairly and claimed on time.
What to do after a fire
Get a copy of the fire department's report and secure the property against weather and theft. Don't throw damaged items away until they've been documented. Keep every receipt for hotels, meals, clothing and other living expenses.
Call us before you agree to a scope or sign off on contents. It's much easier to get things right from the beginning than to reopen them later.
How it works
We handle the claim from start to finish.
Filing a claim is stressful and time-consuming. Here's how we take it off your plate.
- 1
Free claim review
Tell us what happened. We review your policy and the damage at no cost and tell you honestly if we can help.
- 2
Inspect & document
We inspect the property and document every item of damage with photos, measurements and a detailed estimate.
- 3
Negotiate with your insurer
We prepare and present your claim, meet with the carrier's adjuster and handle all of the back-and-forth.
- 4
Settle & rebuild
We work toward the settlement your policy supports so you can repair, rebuild and get back to normal.
FAQ
Fire & smoke claim questions
Don't see your question? Call us and we'll talk through your claim.
The insurance company wants a list of everything I lost. Can you help?
Yes. Building the contents inventory is one of the biggest parts of a fire claim. We help you list items room by room with the details the carrier needs so nothing is left off.
What are additional living expenses?
If your home isn't livable, many policies pay the extra costs of living somewhere else, such as hotel or rent, higher food costs and extra mileage. Keep every receipt. We track them and include them in the claim.
Smoke got into rooms that didn't burn. Is that part of the claim?
It should be. Smoke and soot travel through the house, the attic and the ductwork. When the fire is covered, smoke damage throughout the home is part of the same claim, and we document it room by room.
Why was I paid less than it costs to replace my things?
Many policies pay actual cash value first and hold back depreciation until you replace the item. We make sure depreciation is reasonable and that the recoverable part is claimed.
Other claims we handle
- Water damageBurst pipes, appliance leaks, roof leaks and sudden water losses, including the damage you can't see yet.Learn more
- Commercial propertyOffices, retail, rentals and multi-family properties, including business interruption and loss of income.Learn more
- Delayed claimsClaim stuck for weeks with no answers? We take over communication with the carrier and keep it moving.Learn more
Request a free claim review
Let's take a look at your claim.
Tell us what happened. A licensed public adjuster will get back to you, usually the same business day.
- We review your policy and damage at no cost
- Honest answer on whether we can help
- No pressure, no obligation