Philadelphia rowhouse fire damage
Philadelphia Fire Damage Claims

Your Rowhouse Burned.
Don't Let the Insurance Company
Burn You Too.

Philadelphia has one of the highest rowhouse fire rates in the country. When your home burns, the insurance company sends their adjuster — trained to minimize your payout. We send ours — trained to maximize it.

Capitol Adjustment has recovered millions for Philadelphia fire victims. We document every room, every wall cavity, every HVAC duct. We don't stop until you have what you're owed.

24/7 Emergency Response
Licensed PA · NJ · DE · MD · CT
$0 upfront — contingency only
Based in Croydon, PA — serving all of Philadelphia
Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Philadelphia, Block by Block

We know these streets. Every neighborhood we serve has its own character — and its own claim challenges.

~4,000
Structure fires in Philadelphia per year
One of the highest rates per capita in the US
78%
Of Philly homes are attached rowhomes
Fire spreads to adjacent units — scope is always larger than it looks
2–4×
Average settlement increase with a public adjuster
Documented across Capitol Adjustment Philadelphia claims
$0
Upfront cost to hire Capitol Adjustment
Contingency only — we get paid when you get paid
Why Philadelphia Fire Claims Are Unique

Rowhomes burn differently.
Claims need to be built differently.

Philadelphia's attached rowhome construction is unlike anywhere else in the country. When one unit catches fire, smoke, heat, and water travel through shared walls, party walls, attic spaces, and HVAC systems into every adjacent home on the block.

Insurance adjusters document what they can see. We document what they miss — and in Philadelphia, what they miss is almost always the majority of the damage.

Shared wall smoke migration
Smoke travels through party walls into adjacent units. Your neighbors' damage can become part of your claim.
HVAC contamination
Smoke and soot distribute through ductwork to every room — not just the fire origin. Full duct cleaning and testing is required.
Code-required upgrades
Philadelphia building code requires upgrades when more than 50% of a structure is damaged. These costs are covered — but only if documented.
Water damage from suppression
Fire department suppression water causes secondary damage throughout the structure. This is a separate, coverable loss.
Fire damage interior Philadelphia home
Real Philadelphia Case — Kensington
Kitchen fire. Insurance offered $14,800.
HVAC smoke spread to every room. Code upgrades required. Full scope missed.
Initial offer
$14,800
Capitol Adjustment recovered
$52,400
What Happens After a Philadelphia Fire

The clock starts the moment the fire is out.

Most homeowners don't know they're being underpaid until it's too late. Here's what's actually happening — and where we come in.

Day 1
Fire is extinguished
The fire department leaves. Your insurance company dispatches their adjuster — whose job is to protect their bottom line, not yours.
Day 2–5
Insurance adjuster arrives
They document what they can see. Smoke damage inside walls, HVAC contamination, code-required upgrades — these get missed or minimized.
Day 7–14
You get a lowball estimate
The initial offer rarely reflects the true cost to restore your home. Most Philadelphia fire victims accept it without knowing they can fight back.
Day 1–30
Capitol Adjustment steps in
We document everything — visible and hidden. We build your claim from the ground up and negotiate directly with the insurer.
Settlement
You get what you deserve
Our Philadelphia fire clients typically recover 2–4x the initial offer. We only get paid when you do.
Call Now — 267-343-7301

Available 24/7 · No obligation · No upfront cost

Philadelphia Neighborhoods

We handle fire claims in every Philadelphia neighborhood

From Kensington rowhomes to Chestnut Hill estates — every neighborhood has its own fire risk profile. We know them all.

Our Documentation Process

What Capitol Adjustment documents
that insurance adjusters miss

Smoke damage beyond the fire room
We test every room, every closet, every cabinet for smoke and soot — not just the origin area.
HVAC system contamination
Smoke travels through ductwork. We document full duct cleaning, filter replacement, and air quality testing costs.
Shared wall and party wall damage
In Philadelphia rowhomes, adjacent unit damage is often part of your claim. We document it all.
Code-required upgrades
Philadelphia building code requires upgrades when a structure is significantly damaged. These are covered losses.
Water damage from fire suppression
Every gallon the fire department pumped into your home is a covered loss. We document it separately.
Contents and personal property
Furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances — we build a complete contents inventory, not a quick estimate.
Additional living expenses (ALE)
Hotel, meals, storage, temporary housing — all covered while your home is being restored.
Structural engineering assessment
We bring in structural engineers when needed to document load-bearing damage the insurance adjuster glossed over.
Don't accept the first offer

Your Philadelphia fire claim is worth more than they're offering.

We review your claim for free. No obligation. No upfront cost.

Real result from Kensington, Philadelphia

What a difference the right representation makes

Fire & Smoke Damage2024

A kitchen fire in a rowhouse on Kensington Avenue spread to two adjacent rooms before it was contained. The insurance company's adjuster documented only the kitchen and one bedroom, missing extensive smoke damage throughout the HVAC system and a second-floor bathroom. Their initial estimate covered a basic cleanup and repaint.

Insurer's first offer

$14,800

+254%

increase

Final settlement

$52,400

"The HVAC system had distributed smoke residue to every room in the house. Once we documented the full scope — including duct cleaning, contents replacement, and code-required electrical upgrades — the insurer had no basis to dispute the larger number."

Results vary by claim. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.

Common Questions

Philadelphia fire damage claim FAQs

What makes Philadelphia fire claims different from other cities?

Philadelphia's dense rowhome construction means fires almost always spread beyond the origin unit. Smoke travels through shared walls, HVAC systems, and attic spaces into adjacent homes. Insurance adjusters routinely document only the obvious fire damage and miss the full scope — which is why Philadelphia fire victims consistently recover far more with a public adjuster.

How quickly should I call a public adjuster after a fire?

Immediately — ideally before the insurance company's adjuster arrives. The earlier we document the damage, the stronger your claim. We are available 24/7 at 267-343-7301.

Can you help if the insurance company already made an offer?

Yes. We handle claims at any stage — including after an initial offer has been made or even accepted. Pennsylvania law gives you the right to reopen and dispute a settlement.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

Never. We work on contingency — our fee is a percentage of your final settlement. If we don't recover more for you, you owe us nothing.

What does a Philadelphia fire claim typically cover?

A properly documented fire claim covers structural repairs, smoke and soot remediation throughout the entire home (including HVAC), contents replacement, code-required upgrades, temporary housing (ALE), and more. Most initial insurance estimates miss at least half of these categories.

Philadelphia Fire Department Data

Recent Fire Incidents in Philadelphia

City of Philadelphia fire incident data. Updated regularly from the Philadelphia Fire Department via OpenDataPhilly.

Were you or someone you know affected by a fire?

Capitol Adjustment handles Philadelphia fire claims at no upfront cost. We fight the insurance company so you don't have to — and we only get paid when you do.

What Our Clients Say

Real Stories. Real Results.

Verified Google reviews from homeowners we've helped.

"After dealing with a stressful insurance claim and months of back-and-forth with the insurance company, I honestly don't know what I would have done without this team. They went to bat for me and fought tirelessly on my behalf, handling mountains of paperwork and constant pushback. Their persistence and expertise resulted in a settlement that far exceeded what I could have achieved on my own. Beyond their professionalism, they are genuinely good people who truly care about their clients and treat you like family."
T

Theodore Brophy

2 weeks ago · Google Review

"I had an amazing experience working with Capitol Adjustment and their team. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and truly had my best interest in mind. They worked hard on my claim and were able to get me a significant amount of money back — way more than I expected. You can tell they genuinely care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure everything is handled properly."
J

Jennifer Brooks-Donnelly

3 months ago · Google Review

"My girlfriend and I contacted Tim at Capitol Adjustment when we experienced water damage on our newly purchased home. Tim and his company came out right away, took photos, assessed the damage, and helped us navigate through our insurance claim process with proper documentation. They've been extremely professional and super helpful throughout these last few months. Tim and his company were there every step of the way to answer any questions and kept us fully up to date throughout the whole process."
D

Doug Casale

1 month ago · Google Review

"We were on the fence about whether or not to use an adjuster when dealing with fire damage at our home, and we could not be more grateful. Thanks to Dave's knowledge and request to cut a small hole in our ceiling, our insurance discovered severe smoke damage in all of our ceilings and behind our walls. Steve continued to be incredibly supportive during the 5 months we were displaced. These guys absolutely know their stuff. We don't know how we would have made it through this year without them!"
K

Kyle Leigh Healy

7 months ago · Google Review

"If there's one thing you should do in the event of having a home disaster is call Capitol Adjustment. I had a pipe burst and it damaged all floors of my home! With the proper guidance and education from Dave Ryan I was able to have my home repaired! Dave not only handled everything with my insurance company, he also helped me find a reliable contractor for the repairs. Dave by far goes above and beyond for his customers and I highly recommend him!!"
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Roneece D

8 months ago · Google Review

"I had an awesome experience with Capitol Adjustment! I worked through the process with David Ryan and let me tell you, these guys know what they're doing. For someone like myself that had never been through an event like this before, Dave was able to clearly walk me through everything until it was resolved. I highly recommend using them!"
B

Brett Estok

8 months ago · Google Review

"We are very grateful for the way Capitol Adjustment handled our claim and how they walked us through the process with no problems. They took care of dealing with the insurance company completely while I was able to take care of repairing my property. We would like to especially thank George Carroll for staying in touch with us throughout this entire time and for getting us great results."
P

Paul Zito

6 months ago · Google Review

"Capitol Adjustment helped guide us through this stressful period. Dave and his team were professional and empathetic to the situation, informative and supportive in assessing all damages from a neighboring fire. They reviewed all our options and helped make the best decisions we could. I'd recommend their team if you and your family are ever in need."
E

edgardo deleon

1 year ago · Google Review

"My roof sustained severe damage from a huge tree branch. I was lost on what to do. After our first conversation with George at Capitol Adjustment, I knew I called the right person. The professional, quick service — from removing the tree branch, speaking with my insurance company, to having the roof and gutters replaced — was outstanding. It was a real pleasure dealing with such an honest person. I don't write reviews unless it's 5-star service. This was definitely it."
G

George Brown

1 year ago · Google Review

"Words and appreciation cannot be expressed as it deserves. My adjuster Shawn and his team are unbelievable — caring, precise, attentive, detailed, and hard working. Shawn did everything possible to make sure my husband and I entered our home in a better state than before. We were entirely blessed to have come across a group of people who made sure our home was back better than before."
D

DIAMOND GHEE JR.

1 year ago · Google Review

"George provided outstanding support after storm damage to a roof and interior. He was extremely communicative and responsive throughout the entire process, keeping me informed at every step. What impressed me most was how he guided me through the complex insurance claim process and handled all correspondence with my insurance company on my behalf. His expertise and professionalism made a stressful situation much more manageable."
A

Anthony Smyrski

1 year ago · Google Review

"I worked with Tim and the Capitol Adjustment team and they are a delight to work with. They helped me understand the process and proactively worked with my mortgage company to get status on payments. If you are looking for a proactive claim adjuster willing to hold your hand throughout the process, it is Tim and Capitol Adjustment."
B

Buyan Kumar

1 year ago · Google Review

"My husband and I bought our first home and about a month later had a major sewer line issue. Steve from Capitol was a referral through family and I am so glad we contacted him. His time spent dealing with our insurance company alone shows the dedication he has to the business. It took almost a year of battling with our insurance company but he was able to have our loss and the damage covered. Without hesitation, I would recommend Capitol — they know the industry and took a lot of stress off of us."
M

Madison Brandt

4 years ago · Google Review

"These folks at Capitol Adjustment were absolutely terrific in getting me the most for my home destroyed by fire! They seem to care about their clients, which is something I worried about, but they were very caring and understanding. It is a tough time and they alleviated much of the stress associated with a house fire. Kudos to George and Tim!"
R

Robbie Ellis

1 year ago · Google Review

Reviews sourced from Google

Philadelphia fire victims deserve
a fair settlement.

We've fought for homeowners in every Philadelphia neighborhood. We know how insurers operate here — and we know how to win.

Available 24/7 · $0 upfront · Contingency only

All Philadelphia Service Areas

Capitol Adjustment handles fire, water, and storm damage claims across every Philadelphia neighborhood.