A fire leaves more than the damage you can see. Once the immediate danger has passed, you are facing soot and smoke through the house, water damage from putting the fire out, ruined belongings, and an insurance claim you never expected to make.
PCLA helps homeowners, landlords and businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland prepare, evidence and negotiate fire damage insurance claims. We act for you, not the insurer, so the full extent of the damage is properly assessed and your claim is presented clearly from the start.
A fire claim is rarely just about flame damage. Most fire claims involve three separate types of damage, and a fair settlement needs to account for all of them:
On top of the damage itself, your policy may cover contents, alternative accommodation while the home is repaired, and, for landlords, loss of rent. For a full explanation of what is and is not covered, how claims are assessed, the smoke and soot damage detail, and why some claims are rejected, see our fire damage claim guide. This page explains how PCLA handles the claim for you.
Your insurer may appoint a loss adjuster to assess the claim on their behalf. A loss assessor works for you. Our role is to make sure the full scope of the fire, smoke and water damage is captured, properly costed and negotiated to a fair settlement.
These are real outcomes from PCLA clients, shared with permission. Every claim is different, and results depend on policy wording, evidence and the extent of the damage.
A kitchen fire spread smoke and soot through the property. PCLA assessed the full scope of fire, smoke and contents damage and prepared the claim, securing a £32,000 settlement.
A fire at a let property damaged the building and contents. PCLA handled the claim on the landlord’s behalf, covering reinstatement and loss of rent, and settled at £46,000.
A severe fire left the property uninhabitable. PCLA managed a complex total-loss claim covering the building, contents and alternative accommodation, settling at £59,000.
After a fire, insurers often offer a cash settlement to close the claim quickly. A cash offer can be the right outcome, but only if it reflects the full cost of putting the property and your life back together.
Once you accept a settlement, it is hard to reopen the claim if further damage comes to light. Smoke, soot and water damage frequently surface weeks later, and a figure that looked reasonable at the time may not cover the real cost of reinstatement.
Before you accept any offer, speak to us. A short call costs nothing, and we will give you an honest view of whether the offer reflects the full scope of the damage.
You only pay when the claim settles. The fee is confirmed in writing before we begin, and payment is made after you receive settlement funds from the insurer. No hidden fees. No upfront charge for the initial claim review.
Most home insurance policies cover sudden and accidental fire damage to the building and contents, along with smoke and soot damage and the water damage caused by putting the fire out. Cover depends on your policy wording, the cause of the fire, how quickly it was reported and the evidence available. Our fire damage claim guide explains the detail.
Yes, smoke and soot damage is usually covered as part of a fire claim, including damage in rooms away from the fire itself. The challenge is making sure the full extent is assessed, because smoke and soot damage is often underestimated in the insurer’s first offer.
As early as possible. It is easier to protect your position before damaged items are cleared, cleaning begins, or a settlement is agreed.
The insurer’s loss adjuster reports to the insurer. A loss assessor acts for you. After a fire, where the damage is significant and spread across fire, smoke and water, having someone in your corner can make a material difference to the outcome.
It depends on the severity of the damage, the insurer’s process and whether the claim is disputed. Straightforward claims may settle in weeks. Complex claims involving total loss, business interruption or denied liability can take several months. Our role is to keep the claim moving. Read our guide on insurance claim timelines →
Many policies include alternative accommodation cover if your home cannot be lived in safely after a fire. Insurers may offer a limited budget or accommodation that does not suit your family. We check your entitlement and make sure these costs are included in the claim where appropriate.
Yes. If the offer seems too low or does not reflect the full cost of repairs, replacement and reinstatement, we can review the scope, evidence and policy position before you accept.
No. No ethical claims company should guarantee an outcome. We can, however, make sure your claim is properly evidenced, costed and negotiated so the settlement reflects the true scope of the fire, smoke and water damage.
Yes. We review the insurer’s reasoning against the policy wording and available evidence. A denial is not always final, and additional evidence or a different reading of the policy terms can sometimes overturn the decision.
A complete guide to fire and smoke damage insurance claims in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Covers immediate steps, what buildings and contents policies cover, why claims are rejected, and how to maximise your settlement.
Do you struggle to understand your home insurance policy? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Even though these documents are complex, they often contain standard terms that you will see throughout the document. Here’s everything you need to know about the most common home insurance terms in your policy.