A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Fire Insurance Claim in India

Fire incidents are not just physical disasters—they can also cause emotional and financial shocks. For businesses, a fire can disrupt production lines, warehousing, logistics, and, most importantly, cash flow. These setbacks are not minor—they are serious blows that can stall growth or even temporarily shut operations.

But there’s a silver lining: fire insurance. If handled correctly, filing a fire insurance claim can speed up your recovery, help you bounce back stronger and protect your long-term sustainability. And here’s the truth—not knowing what to do in the first 24–48 hours can turn a straightforward fire insurance claim into a prolonged paperwork nightmare.

So, if you want to avoid stress, delays or denied business fire insurance claims, keep reading. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire fire insurance claim process in India—clearly and simply.

Let’s follow the steps-one at a time!

Know What’s Covered Under Your Fire Insurance

Before jumping into action, know your business fire insurance policy inside out.

This commercial property insurance usually covers:

• Structural damage to buildings and warehouses
• Loss of machinery, raw materials and finished stock
• Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment
• Temporary relocation costs or rent for alternate premises

However, don’t assume all fire-related damages are automatically covered by fire insurance in India. Read the fine print. Some business fire insurance policies might exclude:

• Electrical fires due to poor maintenance
• Losses from short circuits without proper surge protection
• Fires caused by negligence or illegal storage of hazardous materials

Pro tip: Always ask your fire insurance provider or broker for a “Policy Coverage Summary” document. It’s a cheat sheet that shows what’s covered and what’s not.

Also, read: The Business Guide to Commercial General Liability Insurance

Secure the Site and Notify the Authorities Immediately

The moment the fire is under control, the clock starts ticking. Here is what you need to do immediately:

• Inform local fire authorities and police.
• Notify your internal safety and security teams.
• Prevent unauthorised access to the affected site.

Important: Do not clean, move or disturb anything at the scene (if it’s not extremely necessary to prevent immediate further damage or ensure safety) until authorities and insurance surveyors have completed their inspection. Tampering could lead to a claim rejection.

Instead, start documenting everything:

• Take clear photos and videos of the affected area from multiple angles.
• Record details like time of incident, scale of damage and suspected cause (if known).

This visual evidence will form the backbone of the fire insurance claim process.

Inform Your Insurance Provider Without Delay

Most fire insurance policies demand that you notify your insurer within 24 hours of the incident. Don’t miss this step of the fire damage insurance process—it’s a critical timeline.

You can:

• Call their toll-free helpline
• Send an official email
• Use their app or web portal

Keep these details handy:

• Fire Insurance policy number
• Name of the insured party
• Time and place of the incident
• Estimated damage (rough figure)

Note: If you are an Onsurity member, this is where our claim concierge steps in. From first notification to final settlement, we guide you through each stage of the fire insurance claim process. Our team ensures you are never lost in the claim settlement process.

File the Initial Claim Form Accurately

Once intimation is done, your business fire insurance provider will send you a claim intimation form or ask you to fill it out online. This is your first formal step towards reimbursement.

What to include:

• Date and time of fire
• Known or suspected cause (e.g., electrical fault, short circuit, kitchen fire)
• Affected areas or departments
• Tentative loss estimate

Avoid fluff. Be factual and precise. Don’t exaggerate— be as factual and evidence-based as possible.

And remember: Each commercial property insurance company has a claim window. Miss the cut-off and you could lose your eligibility entirely.

Read more: 6 Overlooked Factors That Impact Your Fire Insurance Claim

Arrange for a Fire Brigade Report and FIR (if needed)

The Fire Brigade Report is often essential. It officially confirms:

• The cause of the fire
• The nature and extent of damage
• The time taken to control the fire

You will usually receive this a few days after the incident, once the fire department completes its internal procedures.

In certain cases—like suspected arson, third-party involvement or significant public damage—you may also need to file a First Information Report (FIR) with the police.

Both documents are crucial in final negotiations with insurers, especially if there is a dispute over the cause or amount of the fire insurance claim.

Cooperate with the Insurer’s Surveyor or Assessor

After you have filed the initial fire insurance claim, your insurer will appoint a licensed surveyor to inspect the site and assess the damage. This person plays a powerful role, and his report can make or break your commercial property insurance claim.

Your job is to:

• Grant the surveyor full access to the affected premises
• Share detailed inventory logs, purchase bills and maintenance records
• Provide CCTV footage (if available)
• Show ‘before-and-after’ documentation (photos, stock registers, etc.)

A smooth surveyor visit can ensure faster business fire insurance claim approval.

Do keep in mind: The surveyor may visit multiple times, especially in cases involving large losses.

Also, read: 6 Types of Business Insurance to Protect Your Company

Submit Final Documents and Await Fire Insurance India Claim Settlement

Once the surveyor completes his report, you will be asked to submit your final fire insurance claim process documentation.

This usually includes:

• Final fire insurance claim form with itemised list of losses
• Fire brigade report
• FIR (if applicable)
• Surveyor’s report
• Bills, invoices and proof of ownership of damaged assets
• Stock and maintenance records
• Photos/videos taken post-incident

If you have all the paperwork ready and aligned with your commercial property insurance policy terms, the insurer will process your claim, typically within 30 days.

At Onsurity, we go a step further. Our team stays in touch with the underwriters and follows up to ensure zero bottlenecks and timely closure of the fire insurance claim process.

Tips to Avoid Fire Insurance Claim Rejection

Here are a few mistakes that can cause roadblocks in the claim settlement process. Beware of them:

• Don’t delay the intimation – Claims made after the fire insurance policy has lapsed or beyond the deadline may be rejected outright.
• Be truthful and consistent – Any discrepancy between your initial report and final documents can raise red flags.
• Maintain documentation – Keep updated records of inventory, equipment and expenses. This helps prove your loss.
• Pay premiums on time – A lapsed policy, even by a day, can void your fire insurance claim.
• Don’t fix damage prematurely –  Wait for the surveyor’s green light before starting repair work (unless it’s necessary to prevent immediate further damage or to ensure safety)

Suggested Read: D&O Insurance Claim Process

Conclusion

Filing a fire insurance claim in India doesn’t have to be a bureaucratic maze. In fact, with the right knowledge of how to claim fire insurance and swift action, it can be a smooth and empowering process.

Here is what you should remember:

• Don’t panic—take control with structured action.
• Document everything with time-stamped evidence.
• Communicate openly with your insurer or insurance partner.
• Follow all timelines and keep your paperwork clean.

And if you are with a platform like Onsurity, our claims team ensures that you are never alone. We believe insurance isn’t just about protection—it’s about quick recovery and getting your business back on track.

Do remember, when fire strikes, your best defence is not just your policy, but how you handle the claim settlement process.

Need help filing a claim or want to know more about fire insurance coverage for your business? Connect with Onsurity’s claim experts today—fast, friendly and fully focused on your recovery.

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