Claiming on Home Insurance After Fire Damage

By Jim Flannery ACII, Brand Ambassador, OMC Claims. Over 40 years in insurance claims and a founding member of the Irish Claims Consultants Association.

A fire claim is rarely just paperwork. You are dealing with the shock of the event, a home you may not be able to live in, and an insurer who will assess not only the damage but how you responded to it. The process is manageable, but it rewards acting calmly and methodically from the start. If you would rather not face it alone, a loss assessor can manage your fire damage claim from the first inspection through to settlement.

This guide takes you through the whole thing, step by step: what to do in the first hours, how to document the loss so nothing is missed, how the claim process works, and the factors that quietly decide your payout. It pulls together the emergency response and the documentation detail in one place, so you have a single reference at a difficult time.

The first hours: what to do immediately after a fire

Your first priority is safety, and it stays the priority until the professionals say otherwise. Everything else can wait until people are out and the fire is dealt with.

• Get everyone out and call the fire brigade. Dial 112 or 999. Do not try to fight anything but the smallest, contained fire, and never re-enter the property until the fire service gives the all-clear.
• Report it, even if it was put out quickly. A small fire dealt with by you or a neighbour should still be reported to the local fire service, to your Insurer and to the Gardai if there is any suspicion of how it started.
• Think safety. Wear a mask, rubber gloves, steel toed shoes or boots and a hard hat. The risk of smoke inhalation following a fire can linger for several days and the soot deposits on all surfaces can be toxic. Be aware of fallen debris or nails protruding from fallen timbers, unsafe stairs or roof timbers.
• Notify your insurer within 24 to 48 hours. Have your policy number ready, give the date and time, the suspected cause and the scope of visible damage, and keep a written log of every call.
• Do not touch or remove anything yet. The insurer or your loss assessor needs to see the scene as it is. If you must move something for safety, photograph it in place first and keep it on site if you can.
• Secure the property from further loss. Once documented, board up openings, cover roof holes and shut off power, gas and water if it is safe. Insurers may try to refuse secondary damage they judge was preventable.

How to document the damage so nothing is missed

Strong evidence is the foundation of a fire claim. Insurers pay for what is presented and proven, so the more completely you record the loss, the less room there is to dispute it. Wait for clearance to enter safely, then work through the property methodically. If it is not safe to go in, a loss assessor or contractor can document the interior for you.

• Photograph every room, even untouched ones. Wide shots from each corner show the scale of the event and the spread of smoke, which often travels far beyond the burned area, and gets into every press and crevice.
• Take close-ups of the detail. Burn marks, soot, melting, cracked beams, exposed wiring and heat damage to floors and walls, plus brand labels or serial numbers on damaged items.
• Capture smoke, soot and water, not just what burned. Secondary damage is often the larger part of the loss and is only claimable if it is recorded. Photograph soot-stained ceilings, cupboards and behind doors, and any water damage from firemen’s hoses.
• Build a room-by-room inventory. List each item with a description, brand and model where known, approximate age, value, and condition before the fire. Match items to your photos.
• Gather the official reports. The fire brigade incident report, a Garda report if criminal activity is suspected, and any fire investigator’s or loss assessor’s findings all add independent weight to the claim.

Use your camera’s timestamp, back the files up, and keep a short written log of what each photo shows. If high-value items such as jewellery, antiques or artwork were damaged, an independent valuation can support those figures. And if you did not document everything in the first rush, do not panic: receipts, bank statements, manuals and even old photos can all help reconstruct what was lost.

How a fire damage claim works

Once reported, a fire damage insurance claim usually moves through a recognisable sequence:

• Initial report. You notify the insurer and give a clear account of the fire, the date and the extent of the damage.
• Inspection. The insurer appoints a loss adjuster to inspect and assess the loss. It is worth being clear that this adjuster acts for the insurer, not for you.
• Forensic examination. Your insurer may want to commission an independent forensic expert to establish the cause of the fire. This will assist them in any potential recovery action against a third party. They will likely also be checking for non-compliance with any relevant policy conditions.
• Appointing your own loss assessor. You are entitled to appoint a loss assessor to act on your behalf, prepare the claim and deal with the insurer and their adjuster.
• Assessment and valuation. The full schedule of loss is prepared and supported with evidence, covering structure, contents, drying, clean-up and alternative accommodation.
• Approval and settlement. The insurer reviews and agrees the claim, and payment follows, either to you or directly to contractors as your policy provides.

What affects your payout

Several factors decide how much a fire claim actually pays, and knowing them in advance helps you avoid surprises:

• Underinsurance. If your home is insured for less than its true rebuild cost, the insurer can reduce the payout in proportion to the shortfall. It is worth checking your sum insured reflects current building costs.
• Excess. The agreed amount you pay before cover applies is deducted from the settlement, so it is worth knowing your figure before you proceed.
• Cause of the fire. A genuinely accidental fire is far more straightforward than one linked to a deliberate act or a breach of a specific policy warranty, which can be contested or refused.
• Depreciation and new for old. Some contents may be settled at current value rather than replacement cost, even if your policy includes “new for old” cover, so the policy wording matters. Some items like carpet, bed linen and clothing will have deductions applied for wear and tear. Items like TV’s or computers may have deductions made for betterment.

When fire claims can be reduced or refused

Fire claims are most often challenged where the insurer believes the fire was not genuinely accidental, or where a specific policy requirement was not met: arson by the owner or occupiers, a property left unoccupied beyond the policy limit, or a failure to comply with a warranty (a condition precedent to liability) on the policy that resulted in the loss. The cause and the history of the property carry real weight here. We cover the full set of exclusions, and how to protect against them, in our guide on what home insurance covers for fire damage.

Why a loss assessor matters on a fire claim

When you make a claim, your insurer appoints a loss adjuster to assess it. That adjuster works for the insurer. A loss assessor is the opposite: appointed by you, the policyholder, and acting only in your interests. On a fire claim, where so much of the loss is hidden in smoke contamination, structural weakening and secondary water damage, that difference shows up in the final figure. An advocate working on your behalf can have a sizeable impact on the outcome.

A loss assessor assesses the full extent of the damage, prepares and presents the claim, deals with the insurer and their adjuster, and negotiates the settlement on your behalf. If you disagree with the insurer’s decision or valuation, you can also refer the matter to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, though many disputes are resolved long before that. To understand the errors that most often weaken a claim, see our guide on the mistakes homeowners make when claiming for fire damage, and for the underlying risks, our guide to the common causes of house fires in Ireland.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to make a fire damage claim?
Most policies require you to report a fire promptly, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Preparing the full claim takes longer, but early notice is essential, as delay can give the insurer grounds to question or reduce the claim.

What documentation do I need for a fire damage claim?
Photos and video of the damage, a room-by-room inventory of damaged contents with values, the fire brigade report, repair or replacement estimates, and proof of ownership such as receipts, statements or manuals, where you have them.

Will my premium increase after a fire claim?
It can. A claim may affect your premium or no-claims-bonus position at renewal. That said, the value of a fair fire settlement is usually far greater than any increase spread over the following years, so it is rarely a reason not to claim a genuine loss.

Can I claim for smoke damage alone?
Yes. Most policies cover smoke and soot damage even where the fire itself was small or contained. Document the affected walls, ceilings, furniture and electronics thoroughly, as smoke damage cleaned away is lost as evidence.

What should I do if I suspect arson?
Notify both your insurer and the Gardai immediately. The insurer will usually investigate the cause, and you should cooperate fully and keep all evidence. Arson-related claims can take longer because of the investigation involved.

What if I do not agree with the insurer’s valuation?
You can dispute it. Provide your own quotes and evidence, or appoint a loss assessor to act for you. If it cannot be resolved, the matter can be referred to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.

Does home insurance cover fire brigade callout charges?
Yes, up to a set limit. Some Irish fire brigade services charge for attending domestic fires, and many policies reimburse this. Check your cover, as the limit varies by insurer.

A fire claim is a marathon, not a sprint, but the early steps decide how it ends. Safety first, then evidence, then a complete, well-valued claim. Get those right and the rest becomes a process, rather than a fight.

About OMC Claims

OMC Claims (Owens McCarthy Ltd) is Ireland’s largest independent firm of loss assessors, acting only for policyholders, never for insurers. We provide nationwide coverage, with loss assessors serving Dublin, Cork, Limerick and every other county in Ireland. Part of the Fexco group and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Registration Number C-46734), our team brings over 250 years of combined claims experience and handles more than 2,000 home and business claims a year, from straightforward domestic losses to large and complex commercial claims. We assess the damage, prepare and value your claim, and negotiate with your insurer to work to secure the settlement you are entitled to.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and aims to provide an overview of the fire damage insurance claims process. It does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. For guidance tailored to your specific circumstances, please consult a claims professional or your insurance broker/provider.