First 72 hours
See our Immediate Steps After Fire for the acute playbook. Summary:
- Safety first
- Notify carrier
- Get fire department report
- Document before mitigation
- Retain mitigation (no AOB)
- Track ALE expenses
Week 1: Engagement
Retain a public adjuster if the claim is significant. The first carrier inspection will happen in this week: having representation present changes outcomes.
Week 2–4: Documentation and scope
Structural scope
- Full photo/video documentation
- Thermal imaging
- Char-depth measurements on structural members
- Moisture readings in water-affected areas (suppression)
- Engineer assessment if structural integrity is at issue
Smoke scope
- Industrial hygienist report
- Air sampling (smoke particulates, VOCs)
- Surface sampling where contested
- HVAC contamination assessment
- Whole-home smoke migration mapping
Contents scope
- Room-by-room inventory
- Pack-out if required
- Cleaning vs. replacement determination
- Ozone / thermal fogging for cleanable items
- Replacement-cost documentation for non-cleanable
ALE tracking
- Daily receipt log
- Hotel / rental housing
- Meals (over normal)
- Pet boarding
- Storage
- Utility setup at temporary residence
Month 1–3: Carrier handling
- Initial Xactimate from carrier
- Your Xactimate from representation
- Side-by-side scope comparison
- Negotiation on line items
- Code-upgrade inclusion
- Matching-statute application
Month 3–6: Rebuild coordination
- Contractor selection
- Scope alignment with claim
- Draw schedule with mortgage company if applicable
- Progress documentation
- Change orders (written only)
Month 6–18: Supplementals
- Hidden damage emerging during rebuild
- Smoke residue issues persisting
- Contents final valuations
- ALE extensions
Statutory framework
Notice deadline
1 year from date of loss (Fla. Stat. 627.70132).
Supplemental window
18 months from date of loss.
Response deadlines
7/30/60 days per Fla. Stat. 627.70131.
Statute of limitations
5 years for contract action.
Common coverage disputes
Smoke scope
Whole-home vs. affected-rooms-only. Industrial hygienist report controls.
Contents valuation
Cleaning vs. replacement. IH protocol and practical considerations.
ALE duration
Carrier pushes for quicker return; you document actual habitability standards.
Code upgrades
Rebuilding to current code vs. like-for-like. Law-and-ordinance coverage controls.
Matching
Discontinued materials trigger continuous-area replacement.
Typical settlement ranges
Florida fire claim settlements vary widely by severity:
- Minor contained fire (kitchen, limited smoke): $30K–$80K
- Moderate fire (partial structure, significant smoke): $80K–$250K
- Major fire (substantial structure loss): $250K–$1M+
- Total loss: full policy limits (potentially multi-million)
Documentation quality drives where in the range a specific claim lands.