Domestic Fire Damage Case Study

Problem

A large new build country house was nearing completion when fire destroyed most of it and necessitated the demolition of the remainder. The property owner, a busy professional, appointed us for our expertise in negotiating fire claims and in so doing relieved himself of the burden of dealing with a time-consuming claim.

How we helped

We secured agreement, at Insurers’ expense, for the appointment of a Quantity Surveyor to ascertain an accurate rebuild cost. We facilitated their interaction with various third parties responsible for different aspects of the design and construction process. We managed the claim from beginning to end, dealing in the process, with challenges from Insurers’ in-house surveyors and lawyers.

Result

We negotiated a cash settlement in excess of the sum insured.
As devastated as the client was with the destruction of his dream home, he was delighted with the outcome of the Insurance claim.

Problem

The first floor and roof of a large family home were destroyed by an electrical fire. The family were made homeless overnight and Loss Adjusters appointed by Insurers did not respond positively or quickly to the family’s plight.

How we helped

We shouldered the burden of running such a large claim for reinstatement and replacement of destroyed contents, in the process relieving our clients of additional stress. We ensured that an appropriate specification and scope of works was professionally drawn up and we negotiated this and the successful tender with Loss Adjusters. Despite the breadth of the agreed reinstatement works, changes to building regulations made it necessary to renegotiate the contract sum by many tens of thousands of pounds. We further added value by liaising on our clients’ behalf with contractors on a complicated reinstatement project.

Loss Adjusters wanted to house our clients in alternative accommodation which was suited to the needs of only those members of the family living at the property at the time of the fire. We settled on a similar-sized property which could accommodate all family members, even though they did not always stay there.

Result

We gave our clients reassurance and peace of mind at a very traumatic time. Negotiated a living space which enabled them to get on with their lives during the reinstatement. Through our knowledge and expertise we achieved everything for our clients that they were entitled to under the terms of their policy.