INSURANCE CLAIMS GUIDE
Most homeowners leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table after a house fire. Not Phase III clients. Here’s how we make sure your policy pays every dollar it owes — and what happens at every step of the way.
First — Take a Breath
A house fire doesn’t just damage your home — it shakes your sense of safety in a way that’s hard to put into words. The smell of smoke, the sight of what’s left, the uncertainty of what comes next. You’re exhausted, possibly displaced, and now you’re being asked to navigate an insurance claim while still in shock. That’s an impossible ask. We know, because we’ve walked through it with hundreds of Michigan families. Phase III has handled fire damage claims across SE Michigan for years. We know every line item adjusters miss, every coverage provision they underutilize, and every tactic used to minimize what you receive. The most important thing you can do right now is not figure this out yourself. That’s what we’re here for.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Phase III has done this hundreds of times.
The Claims Process — Step by Step
Emergency Stabilization
Your insurer expects you to prevent further damage. Boarding up, tarping, and securing the structure must happen immediately — before weather compounds the loss and before unauthorized entry creates additional liability.
Phase III Does Here:
We document the pre-mitigation condition in exhaustive detail — photos, video, written notes — before a single board goes up. This is your evidence, and we treat it that way. You’ll never have to wonder if something was missed before work started.
Open Your Claim
Call your insurance company to report the loss and get a claim number. Do this within 24-48 hours of the fire — but know that how you describe the damage in that first call matters more than most people realize.
Phase III Does Here:
We walk you through exactly what to say — and what not to say — when opening a fire claim. Certain language can inadvertently limit your coverage before an adjuster ever steps foot on your property. We make sure that doesn’t happen.
Adjuster Inspection
Your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damage. They produce an estimate using Xactimate — the same software we use. Their job is to write the minimum they can justify. Our job is to make sure that number is accurate and complete.
Phase III Does Here:
We show up armed with our own documentation package — photos, measurements, pre-loss records — and walk the property alongside the adjuster. We point out every item of damage, every line item that belongs in that estimate, so nothing gets overlooked. Not on our watch.
Review the Estimate
The adjuster produces a Xactimate estimate. This is almost never the final number — it’s the opening offer. We’ve seen adjusters miss smoke penetration scope, code upgrades, contents, and Additional Living Expenses on nearly every fire claim we’ve handled.
Phase III Does Here:
We challenge every line item that’s wrong, missing, or improperly depreciated — then we push back in writing with documentation that’s very hard to dispute. Supplement filings are normal, expected, and often necessary. The first check is rarely the last.
Supplement Filing
We submit a formal supplement documenting everything that was missed — smoke penetration, contents, Ordinance and Law code upgrades, Additional Living Expenses, and improperly depreciated items. On fire damage claims, supplements routinely add 30–50% to the initial estimate.
Phase III Does Here:
We file supplements aggressively and track every single response until the full scope is covered. This is our superpower — we won’t stop filing until your policy has paid every dollar it owes.
Settlement and Rebuild
Once the settlement is finalized, rebuild begins. We manage every trade, every permit, and every inspection — restoring your home to pre-loss condition or better. You stay focused on your family. We handle the rest.
Phase III Does Here:
We document all completed work for your insurance file and provide a warranty on our labor — so you have peace of mind long after the last crew leaves.
Where Claims Get Underpaid
Insurance adjusters are not your enemy — but they work for the insurance company, not for you. Here are the most common ways fire damage claims are minimized, and exactly what Phase III does to counter each one.
Heavy Depreciation on Contents
What they do: Adjusters apply aggressive depreciation to your belongings, paying pennies on the dollar. A 5-year-old TV becomes worth $50. We’ve seen this on nearly every contents claim we handle.
How Phase III responds: We document replacement cost value for every item, push back on excessive depreciation schedules, and fight until contents coverage reflects what it actually costs to replace what you lost.
Code Upgrade Denial
What they do: Rebuilding to current Michigan code often requires upgrades your original home didn’t have. Adjusters routinely deny these — or simply don’t include them at all.
How Phase III responds: We identify every Ordinance and Law item and document exactly why it’s required by code — forcing the insurer to pay what your policy covers. This is money you’re entitled to.
Smoke Damage Scope Limitation
What they do: Adjusters may scope only the rooms with visible soot, missing smoke penetration in walls, attic, HVAC, and adjacent rooms. We’ve seen this limit claims by tens of thousands of dollars.
How Phase III responds: We conduct a full smoke assessment with air quality data that documents the actual scope — not just what’s visible during a 30-minute walkthrough.
ALE Underpayment
What they do: Additional Living Expenses cover your hotel and meals while displaced. Adjusters often lowball these figures or fail to include the full duration of the rebuild period.
How Phase III responds: We document your actual displacement costs and push for full ALE coverage throughout the entire rebuild — not just a few weeks.
Your Rights as a Michigan Policyholder
Right to Dispute
You have the right to dispute any estimate or denial in writing. You are never required to accept the first offer.
Right to Replacement Cost
If your policy says RCV, you are entitled to full replacement cost — not depreciated actual cash value.
Right to a Detailed Estimate
You can request a full itemized Xactimate estimate from your insurer at any time — and you should.
Right to a Second Opinion
You have the right to get your own contractor estimate and present it to the insurer. That’s exactly what Phase III provides.
Right to an Appraisal
If you and your insurer cannot agree on the loss amount, most policies include an appraisal process that brings in independent experts.
Know your rights — and know that Phase III will make sure they are respected.
The Phase III Difference
Most contractors hand you a repair bill. We hand you a maximized insurance settlement.
| Stage | Without Phase III | With Phase III |
|---|---|---|
| Adjuster inspection | You show them around, they note what they see | We walk every inch, point out every item, document everything before they leave |
| Estimate received | You accept it — you don’t know what’s missing | We review every Xactimate line item and identify missed scope immediately |
| Code upgrades | Often denied without pushback | We document every required upgrade and demand coverage under your Ordinance and Law provision |
| Smoke damage | Limited to visible soot only | We document full penetration scope with air quality data — walls, attic, HVAC, every system |
| Supplement filing | Never happens — you take the first check | We file comprehensive supplements on every claim — the first check is never the final answer |
What Phase III Does on Every Claim
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a fire insurance claim take?
Typically 3-6 months from filing to final settlement, though complex claims can take longer. We’ve seen fire claims stretch when insurers drag their feet on supplements — and we don’t let that happen quietly. Phase III stays on top of the insurer at every stage and keeps the process moving. If this happens to you, call us — we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?
No — full stop. You have the right to choose your own licensed contractor. Insurance company preferred vendors work for the insurer, not for you. Their job is to minimize cost. Our job is to restore your home completely and make sure your claim reflects the full scope of what you lost. If this happens to you, call us — we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
What if my claim gets denied?
Denials can be appealed — and many of them should be. We review denial letters carefully and almost always find grounds to push back. You have the right to dispute, request an appraisal, and demand a full written explanation. If this happens to you, call us — we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
Can I stay in my home during restoration?
Depends on the extent of the damage. If your home is uninhabitable, your policy includes Additional Living Expenses (ALE) that cover hotel and meals while we rebuild. A lot of families don’t know how to access this coverage or realize how much they’re entitled to. We make sure you get every dollar of ALE your policy allows.
What is Ordinance and Law coverage?
It covers the cost to bring your rebuilt home up to current building codes — updated electrical, plumbing, insulation, egress requirements that weren’t required when your home was originally built. Without this provision activated, you pay that difference out of pocket. We make sure it’s claimed on every fire claim we handle.
How much does Phase III charge?
Our fee comes from the insurance settlement — not out of your pocket. You pay your deductible; we fight for the rest. If we don’t recover more than you would have gotten on your own, we don’t get paid. That’s how aligned our interests are with yours.
Phase III Construction handles everything — documentation, supplements, negotiations, and rebuild. You focus on your family.
Serving Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties