Fire broke out on the 6th November 2008, destroying all the contents and later leading to the demolition of the building itself.
Burton-upon-Trent
Fire broke out on the 6th November 2008, destroying all the contents and later leading to the demolition of the building itself. This had serious repercussions for the church, as losing the venue meant missing out on income from congregational offerings, regular seminars and courses, and associated publication sales.
Our specialist team assembled the morning after the incident, holding a meeting with the insurer’s loss adjusters the same day to address the most important issues. We made sure the site was secured to comply with the local authority’s requirements, so it would not pose any further threat to the public, and demolition contractors were appointed within 24 hours.
The second urgent priority was finding temporary accommodation so that prearranged and regular events could continue as normal, with minimum disruption to the congregation. Within days, we had arranged an emergency payment to cover this, enabling a conference which had been due to take place at the church on the three days following the fire to move to a function suite at Burton Albion FC. Additional facilities were sourced for future church events and services, besides temporary office accommodation.
Having addressed the immediate issues, we ensured the cost of demolition work was covered, and supervised this process. The team was then able to focus on preparing and submitting the paperwork. The extent of the damage and the demolition meant there was little physical evidence remaining which could provide details to support the claim. We acquired photographic evidence from the church and congregation members, together with historic documentation and inventories of contents, from which we were able to produce a detailed schedule of loss. We successfully secured the cash settlement preferred by the church leaders, enabling them to reinstate the church in a more modern style on another site. With our support, the church was able to continue supporting its congregation and to provide services to other users.
At this point, you would hope that your insurance company is there to help but unfortunately, this is not always the case. We have known families who have felt intimidated by insurers and have been treated as though they have done something wrong, or are in some way to blame for their situation.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
This is to compare your version of events against your policy coverage and timelines.
Smart answer
Always stick to the facts. Avoid speculation or emotional exaggeration.
With a loss assessor
A loss assessor will help you structure your account clearly so you don’t over- or under-share.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They’re basically verifying if the event falls within your coverage period.
Smart answer
Be as specific as possible with the date and time.
Avoid
'I think it was last week sometime...'
Tip
A loss assessor will ensure that this matches other documentation, like alarm logs or photos.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to confirm the circumstances and establish liability or negligence.
Smart answer
Answer honestly and clearly, and mention if others were present.
Tip
If others witnessed the event, a loss assessor may advise collecting statements from them to bolster your claim.
How to respond to a Loss Adjuster
Why they ask
They want to validate the items you’re claiming for.
Smart answer
Where possible, provide receipts, invoices, photos or warranty documents.
No receipts?
No stress, a loss assessor may be able to help you establish the value using alternative methods.
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