Fire Insurance Claim Report Template
3 sections, 15 fields (11 required)
A structured report template for fire insurance claims. Covers fire origin and cause investigation, spread pattern documentation, and damage quantification for building, contents, and stock losses.
What Is a Fire Insurance Claim Report Template?
A fire insurance claim report template guides surveyors through the documentation of fire damage claims, from investigating the origin and cause to quantifying the loss. Fire claims require a different approach than other property claims because the cause determination directly affects whether the claim is payable.
This template is structured around three key areas: understanding how the fire started (electrical, gas, arson, lightning), documenting how it spread through the property, and calculating the financial loss across building, contents, and stock categories.
Fire claims under Standard Fire and Special Perils (SFSP) policies are among the most common commercial and residential claims in India. Having a consistent insurance survey reporting template ensures you cover all the investigation points that underwriters look for when reviewing the claim.
Why Use a Fire Claim Template?
Cause determination structure
Structured fields for point of origin, probable cause, and spread pattern help you build the investigation narrative that underwriters need to assess claim validity.
Fire brigade coordination
Field for fire brigade report number links your survey to the official investigation, adding credibility to your cause analysis.
Multi-category loss calculation
Separate fields for building damage, contents damage, and stock loss let you break down the claim by coverage category for accurate settlement.
Arson flag awareness
The cause selection includes arson as an option, prompting surveyors to consider and document indicators of intentional fire, which is crucial for fraud prevention.
How to Use This Template
- 1
Coordinate with fire brigade and obtain report
Contact the local fire department to get a copy of their incident report. This report provides the official record of when the fire was reported, when it was controlled, and initial observations about the cause.
- 2
Visit site and identify point of origin
Walk through the fire-damaged property and identify where the fire started. Look for the area with the most severe burn damage, as this typically indicates the point of origin.
- 3
Analyze fire cause and spread pattern
Examine the evidence at the point of origin to determine the probable cause: electrical short circuit, gas leak, cooking accident, or other factors. Trace how the fire spread from the origin point through the property.
- 4
Photograph damage across building, contents, and stock
Take detailed photos of fire damage to the building structure, furniture and equipment, and any stock or inventory. Include photos of the point of origin, burn patterns on walls and ceilings, and salvageable items.
- 5
Calculate loss with category-wise breakdown
Estimate the repair or replacement cost for the building, contents, and stock separately. Apply depreciation where needed and deduct any salvage value to arrive at the net loss for each category.
- 6
Submit fire investigation report with cause determination
Write a clear report that states the fire cause, spread pattern, damage breakdown by category, and your assessed loss amount. Include the fire brigade report reference and all supporting photos.
Template Sections & Fields
Key Tips for Fire Insurance Survey Reports
Fire cause determination is the most important part of a fire insurance survey. If the cause cannot be established, underwriters may question whether the loss falls within the policy coverage. Electrical short circuits are the most common cause of accidental fires in India, so look for melted wiring, tripped circuit breakers, and scorch marks near electrical panels or outlets. If you suspect arson, document indicators like multiple points of origin, presence of accelerants, or unusual circumstances around the incident.
When calculating fire damage, remember that smoke and soot damage often extends well beyond the area that actually burned. Items in rooms adjacent to the fire may need cleaning or restoration even if they were not directly touched by flames. Include these costs in your assessment. For stock and inventory losses, cross-check the claimed quantities against purchase records, sales data, and the physical storage capacity of the premises.
Always visit the site as soon as possible after the fire. Evidence degrades quickly as salvage operations begin and debris is cleared. If you cannot visit within 48 hours, ask the insured to preserve the fire scene and avoid moving items until your inspection is complete. Early site visits produce stronger reports with better evidence.
Use This Template with FieldScribe AI
This template shows you the structure. FieldScribe AI brings it to life. Record voice notes at the claim site, snap geotagged photos, and let AI fill in the template automatically. Your report is generated in minutes instead of hours.