Fire Damage Claim | After a fire or other large loss, policyholders are under pressure to make decisions quickly. Further damage can come to light after the first assessment, so it is worth recording the loss carefully. A loss assessor can look at the loss calmly and deal with the insurer on your behalf.
Fire damage devastates joinery business in North Dublin
ICS received a call from a distressed business owner, his joinery works had suffered extensive damage following a fire.
Our client is a manufacturer of bespoke joinery for the construction market.
The fire was discovered when a passer by noticed smoke bellowing from the roof and notified our client. The fire service were called. They used water extensively to help extinguish the fire.
The business owner attended the site and found a scene of devastation, he feared that this event would ruin his business. His high end valuable specialist wood working machinery and raw materials were extensively damaged by fire. They also suffered secondary smoke and water damage.
ICS Loss Assessor appointed to manage the claim
ICS loss assessor conducted a full on site survey within 24 hours of receiving a call. We photographed the site extensively, measured up the unit and compiled a detailed inventory of damaged stock and equipment. We then liaised with engineering experts and specialist suppliers and found that the majority the machinery and stock had been either fire damaged, water damaged or both.
ICS met with the insurance companies loss adjusters and we discussed the loss in detail. The damage to the equipment effectively meant that our client was now out of business temporarily until he could purchase new equipment and find new premises , the duration of reinstatement and claim administration had to be kept to a minimum as our client had a number of large projects on the books for delivery.
ICS put in place an extensive claims management plan and assisted our client in appointing specialist engineers and professionals to assess and quantify the loss to the specialist wood working equipment. ICS compiled and presented the loss to the loss adjusters, working to the tight time frame the client faced.
How ICS managed the claim
Fire claims of this size can take a long time to assess and settle. Our role was to deal with the loss adjusters and specialists so that the owner could concentrate on running the business.