Fire Damage Restoration: What Your Insurance Covers (and What It Doesn't)

Fire Damage and Homeowners Insurance: What Chicago Homeowners Need to Know

Fire damage is one of the most comprehensive homeowners insurance coverages — but "comprehensive" doesn't mean unlimited or automatic. How you document damage, when you report it, and who you choose for restoration significantly affects your settlement.

What Your Policy Covers After a Fire

• Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A): Repairs or rebuilds your home's structure — walls, roof, built-ins. This also covers smoke damage and water damage from firefighting as part of the same event.
• Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C): Reimburses for damaged personal belongings. Choose "replacement cost" endorsement to avoid depreciation.
• Additional Living Expenses (Coverage D): Pays for temporary housing, meals, and increased living expenses while your home is restored. Keep all receipts.
• Detached Structures (Coverage B): Covers detached garages, fences, and sheds.

What's NOT Covered

• Arson by the policy holder
• Vacant property (unoccupied 30-60+ days)
• Pre-existing damage
• Business property (requires separate business coverage)

How to Maximize Your Claim

• Document everything before cleanup: Photograph every room, close-up shots of damaged items, serial numbers, soot patterns on all surfaces
• Don't discard anything until the adjuster documents it
• Call APT before your insurer: Emergency board-up, water extraction, and tarping must begin immediately to prevent additional damage — and to fulfill your policy's requirement to mitigate further loss

The Full Scope of Fire Damage Restoration

• Water extraction (firefighting leaves 500+ gallons in most residential fires)
• Emergency board-up and tarping
• Soot and smoke removal (improper cleaning permanently sets stains)
• Odor elimination via thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, or ozone
• Contents cleaning and restoration
• Structural repairs from drywall to full reconstruction

Working With Your Adjuster

You have the right to hire your own licensed contractor — you're not required to use the insurer's preferred vendor. APT provides detailed Xactimate-formatted estimates that match insurance industry pricing standards, minimizing disputes. We work directly with your adjuster on your behalf.

Call 24/7: (630) 855-3362