Why Would a Fire Department Want My Homeowners Insurance Information After a House Fire

I recently received a communication from my local fire department, ostensibly asking for my homeowners insurance information. At first glance, it seemed like an official request. However, upon closer reading, it appeared more like an urgent call forhelp, as if my house had experienced a fire two days ago. Now I’m uncertain whether they are legitimate or not, and I’m worried it might be a scam.

Finding Out the Reasons Behind the Investigation

The fire department is conducting an investigation. This is a standard procedure. If there is any suspicion of arson, an investigation such as this would certainly be a step in the process. However, it’s most likely they are attempting to bill the property owner for the service call.

In some jurisdictions, the fire department can bill a property owner for a service call. Often, they will directly send their invoice to the property owner’s insurance company to expedite and simplify the process. If the fire department is requesting your insurance information, it is probably for this purpose.

Red Flags and Suspicion

My suspicion: they might be checking to see if you are in their database as a fire scammer who benefits from multiple fires. If you do not have insurance, only have bare minimum coverage, or do not have enough insurance to rebuild the house, they might stop the investigation. However, if you have significantly more insurance than the value of the house, the investigation might involve an arson investigator.

Necessary Steps and Potential Consequences

Their investigation is likely to contact your fire insurance, as fires can be suspected either as an accident or a result of deliberate actions such as electrical sabotage, gas line pouring, fuel dripping, or cigarettes. The police can also look into your debts. If you have a lot of creditors, it could be a red flag.

If a fire inspector discovers that you have done something illegal, your fire insurance might deny claims. Conversely, if you did nothing wrong, your payment will be released. The same applies to life insurance. They might suspect murder, and anyone with more than one policy can also be suspected of insurance fraud.

Finding yourself in these scenarios often leads to "undetermined" outcomes or claims of murder, with no payment and potential jail time for insurance fraud.

Insurance Policies and Fire Department Service Charge Coverage

The majority of decent homeowners’ policies include “Fire Department Service Charge” coverage. If the insurance company contacts the fire department regarding a fire report, the department will want to know who they are communicating with.

Understanding the nuances of such situations is crucial for homeowners to protect their property and financial security. If you ever receive an unexpected request from your local fire department, it's important to verify the legitimacy of the request and, if necessary, seek professional advice.