Commercial Fire Damage Claims in Florida

Fire and smoke losses hit Florida businesses hard — damaging structures, equipment, and revenue in a single event. Public Loss Adjusters, LLC represents commercial policyholders statewide to document damages, coordinate remediation, and negotiate fair settlements. Our work follows §626.854 and §627.70131 of the Florida Statutes to keep your claim lawful, organized, and moving.

What This Page Covers

• How commercial fire and smoke claims are evaluated in Florida.
• Common insurer disputes and how we address them.
• Our step-by-step process from first inspection to final payment.
• Business Interruption recovery and Extra Expense documentation.
• Frequently asked questions from Florida property owners and managers.

Typical Commercial Fire Losses We Handle

• Structure: Framing, roof, exterior walls, windows, doors, insulation, and build-out finishes.
• Systems: Electrical, HVAC, life-safety, fire suppression, low-voltage, and elevators.
• Interiors: Ceilings, flooring, millwork, paint, signage, and specialty surfaces.
• Contents: Inventory, furniture, fixtures, tools, computers, and POS.
• Environmental: Soot, smoke, and odor remediation with IAQ testing and clearance.

Common Issues in Fire & Smoke Claims

• Scope underestimation: “Clean and paint” where replacement is required due to heat/soot permeation.
• Hidden damage: Electrical and HVAC contamination that isn’t visible at first glance.
• Contents valuation: Incomplete inventories or improper depreciation schedules.
• BI disputes: Carriers shorten the reasonable “period of restoration.”
• Code upgrades: Ordinance & Law costs omitted from initial estimates.

Our Step-by-Step Process

1. Rapid Site Assessment: Time-stamped photos/video, moisture & soot mapping, initial safety review.
2. Policy & Strategy Review: Confirm coverage parts (property, contents, BI, Extra Expense, O&L) and deductibles.
3. Mitigation Oversight: Ensure cleaning/dry-out logs, equipment usage, and chain of custody meet insurer standards.
4. Detailed Estimating: Line-item Xactimate estimates for structure, systems, finishes, and code-required work.
5. Contents & Inventory: Itemized lists with model/SKU, condition, salvageability, and valuation method.
6. Business Interruption Package: Financials (P&L, ADR/occupancy or sales comps), continuing expenses, and period-of-restoration support.
7. Negotiation & Compliance: Track carrier deadlines under §627.70131 (acknowledge in 14 days, updates every 30, pay/deny in 90).
8. Settlement & Supplements: Manage change orders, additional uncovered damage, and recoverable depreciation.

Documentation Checklist (Download/Prepare)

• Policy declarations and endorsements (property, BI, Extra Expense, O&L).
• Pre-loss photos, plans, and permits if available.
• Vendor invoices: mitigation, testing, temporary power, board-up.
• Inventory spreadsheets and equipment lists with serial numbers.
• Financials: P&L, sales reports, payroll, rent/lease, utilities (for BI).

Business Interruption & Extra Expense

Fire losses often cause partial or total closure. Business Interruption (BI) covers lost net income and continuing expenses. Extra Expense reimburses costs to keep operating — temporary kitchens, equipment rentals, expedited shipping, or relocation. We assemble CPA-ready packages that withstand carrier scrutiny and align with the true restoration period.

Ordinance & Law (Code Upgrades)

Repairs may trigger Florida Building Code and ADA upgrades (electrical, fire suppression, ventilation, egress). We cite code sections and include these costs under your Ordinance & Law endorsement so the carrier cannot exclude them as “betterment.”

Statutory Rights in Florida

We enforce claim-handling duties under §627.70131 (acknowledgment within 14 days, ongoing updates, pay/deny within 90) and represent you under §626.854 as licensed Florida public adjusters. All communications are logged for Department of Financial Services review if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly should we begin cleanup?

Immediately after safety clearance. Early mitigation limits secondary damage and preserves coverage. Keep every receipt and a daily log.

What if smoke affected areas with no visible fire?

Smoke and soot are covered when caused by a covered fire. We test and document residues in adjacent spaces and HVAC for proper cleaning or replacement.

Can we replace equipment instead of repairing it?

Yes, when repair does not restore pre-loss function, safety, or warranty. OEM inspections and contractor quotes support full replacement.

How is BI calculated?

We compare historical sales/occupancy to post-loss data, add continuing expenses, and justify a reasonable restoration period tied to the construction schedule.

What if the insurer’s estimate is too low?

We counter with detailed scopes and, if necessary, proceed to Appraisal & Mediation to resolve valuation disputes.

Notice: This page provides general information for Florida policyholders and is not legal advice. Public Loss Adjusters, LLC, License A161638. Representation and communications are consistent with §626.854 and timelines under §627.70131, Florida Statutes. Supporting documentation available upon request.