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Plano Fire Damage Attorney

The capacity of destruction a fire has is astounding. A fire can quickly destroy both the structure of a building as well as the its contents. You may have spent years of hard work building a home or business, only to have nearly everything eviscerated in a few hours. Naturally, you turn to your insurance company for help to recover from this loss and get back on your feet. However, some insurers may take advantage of your vulnerability and will deny your fire damage claim or offer a low settlement.

The purpose of insurance is to provide relief, not to exacerbate an already stressful situation.  If your claim is not being handled properly, seek the help of an experienced insurance coverage attorney. A skilled insurance attorney can negotiate on your behalf and ensure that you recover for the full extent of your covered damages. Get in touch with our experienced fire insurance claims lawyers today to find out how we can help you recover from fire damage.

Fire Insurance Claims Attorney in Collin County, Texas

If your property has been damaged as a result of a fire and your insurance company fails to cooperate, contact the Plano fire damage insurance claim lawyers at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC. Our attorneys have experience handling residential and commercial property fire insurance claims. We know how to respond to the common tactics used by insurance companies to avoid paying your claim in full and can negotiate for you. Whether you are an individual or a business, the attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC will aggressively pursue your rights under your insurance policy.

Schedule a case evaluation with LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC by calling (866) 984-4556 today. During the evaluation, one of our attorneys will review your claim to determine if there is coverage for your claim. The attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC practice throughout Plano and Collin County including McKinney, Murphy, Frisco, Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, Weston, Melissa, and Lowry Crossing.

Information Center:

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Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Fire Damage?

What your insurance provider covers will depend on the specifics of your policy. Most homeowner insurance policies protect the home in the event of a fire. The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that fire damage claims tend to have higher settlements than any other loss type.

Listed below is the various types of losses your homeowner’s insurance may cover if the insured property is damaged by a fire.

  • Personal Property – Often a homeowner’s insurance policy will cover any personal property damaged by the fire. This can include items such as furniture, appliances and clothing. Certain high-priced items such as fine jewelry or art are typically not protected by homeowner’s insurance unless you purchase additional coverage.
  • The Home – Most homeowners insurance will cover smoke and fire damage to the dwelling. The repair or replacement of the damage to the structure caused by the fire should be covered minus any deductible.
  • Detached Property- Your homeowner’s insurance policy may offer protection for property that is not attached to your home such as a shed, fence or detached garage. In some cases, your insurance provider will even cover destroyed landscaping.
  • Loss of Use – Typically loss of use coverage is included in a homeowner’s insurance policy. It covers living expenses if you must move temporarily while your home is undergoing repairs. These expenses can include hotel bills, rent, food and other extra costs that you would not have incurred if you were living at home.

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Do Insurance Companies Deny Fire Claims?

An insurance company cannot deny, delay or underpay a covered claim. Failure to pay or underpaying a valid claim is a breach of the insurance contract and possibly a violation of the Texas Insurance Code.  Policyholders who have had their claim improperly denied or underpaid can file a suit against their insurers seeking damages to repair their home and may also recover their attorney’s fees.

In Texas, homeowners are protected from unfair settlement practices under the Insurance Code. Meaning insurance companies who commit these unfair settlement practices could be held liable in court. Listed below are some examples of unfair settlement practices under the Texas Insurance Code.

  • Denying a claim without a proper justification;
  • Denying a claim without a reasonable and thorough investigation;
  • Failure to confirm or deny a settlement within a reasonable time period;
  • Misrepresenting facts about provisions of a policy related to a claim;
  • Failure to provide a fair, equitable and timely settlement; or
  • Implementing needless delays on the claims process without explanation

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Fire & Wildfire Statistics in Collin County, TX

Fire damage has become more prevalent in the state of Texas over the years. To document the ongoing trends regarding fires, the State Fire Marshall’s Office developed the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System (TFRIS) to keep track of when and where fires happen in Texas. Listed below are some eye-opening statistics from 2016 regarding fires in Collin County.

  • 417 homes were damaged due to a structure fire
  • 15 fires that year were caused by fireworks
  • 88 people reported fires related to cooking
  • 254 vehicles sustained fire damage or were destroyed by a fire
  • 784 people reported a wildfire or other outside fire
  • 134 of these fires were considered incendiary or suspicious
  • It was found that 19 people that year sustained serious fire related injuries
  • The report indicated that 3 people lost their lives due to fire injuries

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Fire Damage Resources in Collin County, Texas

Jason Browning | Fire Marshall – Visit the official website for Collin County to learn more about The Fire Marshall’s Office led by Jason Browning. Access their site to find their location, contact information and learn more about the Collin County’s Fire Marshall’s Office’s mission to prevent and reduce the rate of fires in the county.

Collin County Local Fire Departments – Visit the official website for Collin County and gain access to contact information for every local fire and rescue department in the county. Access the site to learn the names of the Chief Officer as well as their phone and email address.

Plano Local Fire Department – Visit the official website for the city of Plano and learn more about their Fire-Rescue Program. Access their site to learn more about the staff, fire inspection/codes required for buildings, fire safety tips and other relevant information.

Annual Fire Statistics | TFIRS – Visit the official website for the Texas Department of Insurance to gain access to the reports from the State Fire Marshall’s program TFIRS, which records fires annually across the state. Access the data to learn how many fires happen annually in Texas by county, cause of fire, as well as the number of civilian injuries and casualties as a result of those fires.

Fire Safety Research and Resources | TDI – Visit the official website for the Texas Department of Insurance and find safety tips and resources in the event of a fire. Access their site to learn the importance of fire safety equipment, what to do to prevent outdoor fires and how to stay safe during fireworks season.

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Additional Resources

Texas Insurance Code – All rules and regulations set forth for insurance providers can be found under the Texas Insurance Code. Access the statutes to learn more about unfair settlement practices, policyholder rights, and other relevant information.

Collin County Clerk – Court records and documents related to your suit can be found at the Collin County Clerk’s Office. Gain access to their site so you can learn more about how to pay a court related fine, e-file important documents, or search the public records.

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Plano Attorney for Fire Damage Claims in Texas

Do not accept any low-ball offers or improper denial.  Fight for the coverage you are entitled to under your policy by consulting with the experienced attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC. Speak with our fire damage insurance claim lawyer help you with your wrongly denied or underpaid insurance claim. If your home was damaged in a fire and your insurance company is failing to provide you full coverage under your commercial or homeowners insurance policy, contact LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC today.

You can reach LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC by calling us at (866) 984-4556 to set up a case evaluation. LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC practices throughout the greater Collin County area including Plano, Wylie, Celina, Josephine, Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, McKinney, Murphy, Princeton, Lowry Crossing and Lavon.