Have you ever looked at a burned chair and wondered if your policy will pay to replace it?

You will read simple answers here. You will learn what a Standard Fire Policy covers. You will see clear examples of direct losses. You will also learn when to call a public adjuster in Florida.

Table of Contents

What is the Standard Fire Policy?

You can think of the Standard Fire Policy as a basic protection plan for your home or building. The policy names fire and lightning as the main things it covers. Insurance companies often let you add other protections by paying extra. In Florida, you must check your policy to know what extra protections you bought.

What does “direct loss” mean?

A direct loss means that something physical breaks or burns because of a covered cause. The damage must happen right away from the covered event. You will get paid for the actual harm to your property. You will not get paid for things that happen later because of the damage, unless you have extra coverage for those things.

How direct loss differs from indirect loss

You face two kinds of loss. A direct loss hits your house, your furniture, or your things. An indirect loss hurts you in other ways. For example, you lose rent money while your house is being fixed. That is an indirect loss. The basic Standard Fire Policy usually covers direct losses. You will need special add-ons for many indirect losses.

Core perils in the Standard Fire Policy

The basic policy names two core perils:

Fire. This covers most burns and charring that start from fire.
Lightning. This covers damage that starts from a lightning strike.

You should know that insurers often offer extra perils. Those extras come from endorsements or extended coverage. You must read your policy to see which extras you bought.

Common endorsements and extended coverages

You can add more things to your policy. Insurers often call these “endorsements” or “extended coverages.” They often include:

Explosion.
Smoke damage.
Aircraft or vehicle impact.
Vandalism and malicious mischief.
Riot or civil commotion.
Sprinkler leakage.
Removal of property to save it from danger.

In Florida, you must also pay attention to hurricane and windstorm coverage. These often sit outside the basic Standard Fire Policy and come with separate rules.

Examples of direct losses covered under the Standard Fire Policy

You will find many real-life examples below. Each example shows a covered peril and the direct damage that can happen. The list will help you see how the policy works in action.

Table: Perils, examples, and whether the basic SFP covers them

Peril	Real example	Included in basic SFP?
Fire	Kitchen stove fire burns cabinets and walls	Yes
Lightning	Lightning strikes roof and starts a fire	Yes
Smoke	Smoke stains walls after a nearby house fire	Often added, sometimes covered
Explosion	Gas line explodes and destroys a garage	Often added, sometimes covered
Water from firefighting	Firefighters spray water and it floods floors	Often covered as a result of fire
Removal	You move furniture to avoid fire damage	Usually covered for short period
Vandalism after fire	Vandals break windows after a fire	Often added via endorsement
Aircraft or vehicle impact	Car crashes into porch and causes fire	Often added or included via endorsement
Windstorm/hurricane	Wind rips roof off and fire follows	Usually excluded; separate coverage needed
Flood	Storm water fills the basement	Not covered by SFP; separate flood insurance needed

Fire: simple and clear example

You cook and forget about a pan on the stove. The pan catches fire. The flames burn the cabinets and a wall. This damage is a direct loss. Your Standard Fire Policy will pay for the burned items if fire is a covered peril in your policy. You must show the insurer the damage. You must show the cause of the fire.

Lightning: clear example

A storm rolls through. Lightning hits the upper roof. The lightning starts a small fire inside an attic. The fire burns beams and scorches drywall. You have a direct loss from lightning. The Standard Fire Policy usually covers that because lightning is a named peril.

Smoke: how smoke damage works

A neighbor’s house catches fire. The smoke blows into your home. The smoke stains your curtains and walls. Smoke can also harm electronics and leave a smell. Some basic policies cover smoke if the smoke comes from a covered event, like fire. Some policies add smoke as an extended coverage. You must check your policy.

Explosion: when blast damage counts

A small gas leak causes an explosion in your garage. The blast shatters doors and starts a fire. The fire burns your tools. If your policy includes explosion, you have a direct loss. If your policy does not include explosion, you may not have coverage for the blast. You must read your policy or ask a public adjuster to explain.

Water from firefighting: why this matters

Firefighters spray water to stop a fire. The water soaks floors, walls, and furniture. Your home now has water damage in addition to fire damage. Many Standard Fire Policies consider water from firefighting to be a direct result of the fire. You will usually see the water damage covered when the fire is covered. Still, you must check your policy to be sure.

Removal coverage: protecting your things

You move your furniture out of a house to save it from a fire nearby. You move it to a safe place for a short time. The Standard Fire Policy often covers losses while you remove property to protect it. This coverage usually lasts for a set time, like 30 days. The policy will list the time and the rules.

Vandalism and malicious mischief after a fire

Sometimes vandals break windows or steal things after a fire. The extra breakage and theft may be separate harms. Many policies add vandalism and malicious mischief via an endorsement. If you bought that endorsement, you will likely get paid for the new damage. If you did not buy it, you may not get paid.

Aircraft and vehicle impact

A small plane drops a part that hits your house. A car crashes into your porch and causes a spark that starts a fire. Endorsements that add aircraft and vehicle impact will cover those risks. You must check whether your policy has that endorsement.

Windstorm and hurricane damage in Florida

In Florida, wind and hurricanes matter a lot. The Standard Fire Policy often excludes windstorm and hurricane damage. Insurers sell separate windstorm coverage or include wind in a different policy. You must read your policy closely in Florida. If a hurricane starts a fire, you must show the fire caused the direct loss. You may still need a separate wind policy for the wind damage.

Flood damage not covered

Water that rises from the ground, like floodwater from a storm, is not part of the Standard Fire Policy. Flood damage needs separate flood insurance. You must get flood insurance to cover rising water damage.

What counts as a direct loss for your things?

A direct loss happens to the actual property. Here are clear examples:

Your dresser burns and the wood chars. You have a direct loss to the dresser.
Your hardwood floor warps from firefighting water. You have a direct loss to the floor.
Your TV melts because of heat from a fire. You have a direct loss to the TV.
Your wall paint peels from smoke. You have a direct loss to the wall finish.

You will need to show the damage and explain how it happened.

What is not a direct loss?

You will not get covered for these things under basic SFP unless you add special protection:

Loss of income while your rental sits empty.
Extra living costs beyond what your policy allows.
Business interruption unless you have a business policy or endorsement.
Gradual damage like wear and tear, rot, or mold that grew slowly.
Intentional damage you or someone in your household caused.

How to document direct loss

You must show your insurer what happened. You must take these steps:

Take photos or video of all damage right away.
Make a list of damaged items and their age.
Keep any receipts you have for items and repairs.
Keep samples if you can, such as a burned curtain panel.
Write down dates and times when things happened.
Keep copies of any fire department or police reports.

You will use these items when you file a claim.

How to file a claim for a direct loss

You must tell your insurer about the damage quickly. Follow these steps:

Call your insurance company and give simple facts.
Take photos and make the list we said above.
Save the damaged property until the adjuster views it.
Get estimates for repair but do not make big repairs before your claim is agreed to unless the insurer asks you to.
Keep records of any temporary repairs you do to stop more damage.

You can also call a public adjuster like Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals for help.

How a public adjuster helps you

A public adjuster represents you, not the insurance company. You will get help with paperwork, photos, estimates, and negotiation. A public adjuster will explain your policy in plain language. The adjuster will fight to get you paid for all direct losses you deserve. Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals offers a free inspection to Florida homeowners. You will pay them only if they win money for you.

Why you might call Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals

You might feel tired or stressed after your home suffers a loss. A public adjuster will take the stress from you. The team at Otero will come to your home in Pensacola or anywhere in Florida. They will look at the damage, explain what your policy likely covers, and help you file a strong claim. Otero charges nothing up front. They get paid only when you get money.

Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals
3105 W Michigan Ave, Pensacola, FL 32526
(850) 285-0405
https://oteroadjusting.com/

How Otero works during a claim

The team will inspect your home for free. They will write a detailed report of the damage. They will prepare a claim package for your insurer. They will talk to the insurance company for you. They will negotiate to increase the amount the insurer offers. They will work until you accept a fair settlement.

Common mistakes homeowners make after a direct loss

You will want to fix things fast. You must not do big repairs before you talk to your insurer or adjuster. You will also make these mistakes:

You talk too much with the insurance company without proof.
You throw away damaged items before you record them.
You do not get a trusted estimate for repairs.
You forget to ask for help from a public adjuster when the claim is big.

You should call Otero early. They will guide you step by step.

Proving cause and damage

Insurers must see cause and damage. You must show that a covered peril caused the loss. Here are things that help:

Fire department reports that state cause.
Photos showing burn patterns.
Witness statements.
Receipts and serial numbers for damaged items.

If cause is unclear, a public adjuster can hire experts to help prove it.

When fighting for payment makes sense

You should consider hiring a public adjuster when:

The damage is large and complex.
The insurer offers a low amount.
The insurer denies your claim without clear reason.
You do not know how policy terms apply.

Otero will tell you honestly if they can add value. They will not charge you unless you get paid.

Examples you might see in Florida

You will read here about practical Florida examples:

A lightning strike starts a small attic fire. Your roof and attic have burned beams and melted wiring. The policy covers lightning and the fire damage.
A stove fire ruins your kitchen. The cabinets and counter have scorched wood and melted plastic. The policy covers the burned items and the repairs.
Firefighters flood your lower level while they stop a basement blaze. The water ruins drywall and carpet. The policy covers water from firefighting if the fire is a covered event.
A hurricane rips shingles off your roof and wind blows insulation. That wind damage often needs separate wind coverage. If the wind sparks a fire and that fire burns your home, the fire damage may be covered under the Standard Fire Policy, but wind damage may not.
A passing car crashes and causes a gas-fueled fire. If you bought vehicle impact coverage, you will have a direct loss from both the crash and the fire.

How repairs and replacement work

Insurers will pay to repair or replace damaged items, subject to your policy terms. You may see two main ways insurers pay:

Actual cash value (ACV). This pays for the item’s value now after you subtract age and wear.
Replacement cost value (RCV). This pays to replace the item with a new one of like kind and quality.

You must read your policy to know which method applies. A public adjuster will check your policy and explain which method gives you more money.

What about building code upgrades?

When you repair a building, you may need new materials to meet current building codes. Your insurer may or may not pay for code upgrades. Some policies include building code coverage as an endorsement. If you do not have that endorsement, you may have to pay for building code changes out of pocket. Ask Otero to check this for you.

Time limits and deadlines

You must follow the deadlines in your policy. You must report the loss quickly. You must submit proof of loss when the insurer asks. If you delay, you may harm your claim. A public adjuster will track the deadlines and help you meet them. This step helps protect your right to payment.

Settlement and appraisal

If you and the insurer disagree on the value, your policy may allow an appraisal. An appraisal brings in neutral people who set the value. You and the insurer each hire an appraiser, and those appraisers pick an umpire. The appraisal will set the amount to pay. Otero can help you use appraisal if you need it.

Questions to ask your insurer or public adjuster

Ask simple questions:

Is fire and lightning covered under my policy?
Do I have smoke and explosion endorsements?
How will you handle water from firefighting?
Will you pay replacement cost or actual cash value?
Do I need a public adjuster to help me?

A public adjuster will answer these questions in clear language.

How to choose a public adjuster in Florida

Look for these things:

License to work in Florida.
Good reviews and references.
Clear fee structure.
Experience with fire claims and with local building rules.
Willingness to inspect your home for free.

Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals meets these points. You will find them in Pensacola, and they help homeowners across Florida.

Sample timeline for a claim

A simple timeline might look like this:

Day 1: You call the insurer and call Otero for a free inspection.
Day 2–7: You document damage and keep items safe.
Week 1–3: The insurer sends an adjuster. Otero reviews the insurer’s estimate.
Week 3–8: Negotiation and additional documentation.
Week 4–12: Payment and repair start, if you agree to the settlement.

Large or contested claims may take longer.

When the insurer denies a claim

If the insurer denies your claim, do not panic. You can:

Ask for a written denial and the reason.
Provide more proof or evidence to show the cause.
Use appraisal if the denial is about value.
Hire a public adjuster to challenge the denial.
Consider legal help if needed.

Otero will help you understand the denial and the next steps.

How to handle small vs. large claims

You might think small claims are not worth hiring a public adjuster. You will still save time and stress with help. For large claims, a public adjuster can often find overlooked items and increase your payout. Otero handles small and large claims. They will tell you what makes sense for your situation.

Simple tips to protect your claim

You should:

Take photos before you move or repair anything.
Keep a copy of your policy in a safe place.
Get a free inspection from a public adjuster if you feel unsure.
Keep all receipts for temporary repairs.
Do not sign away your rights without advice.

These steps will make your claim stronger.

Short list of examples you can show an adjuster

Write these short lines to show your adjuster:

Stove fire burned kitchen cabinets and broke tiles.
Lightning struck the roof and caused an attic fire.
Smoke from a neighbor’s fire stained ceilings and curtains.
Firefighter water soaked living room carpet and drywall.
Explosion from a propane tank blew out garage doors.

These simple lines help the adjuster see the problem fast.

Frequently asked questions (short)

Q: Will my policy pay for smoke smell?
A: If smoke is a covered peril, the policy may pay to clean and repair items to remove smell.

Q: Is water from sprinklers covered?
A: If the sprinklers ran because of a covered fire, many policies will cover the sprinkler water damage.

Q: Does the policy pay for mold that grows after firefighting water?
A: If mold grows because of covered water damage, the policy may cover it for a short time. Many policies limit mold coverage.

Q: Can I hire a public adjuster in Florida?
A: Yes. You must hire a licensed public adjuster in Florida. Otero is licensed and serves homeowners across the state.

Final thoughts and practical next steps

You will want clear help when you face a direct loss. A Standard Fire Policy covers fire and lightning in most cases. Many other perils may need endorsements. You must document the damage and call your insurer quickly. You should call a public adjuster when you need expert help.

If you live in Florida, contact Otero Property Adjusting & Appraisals for a free inspection. They will explain your policy and fight for your full payment. You will not pay them unless you receive money.