Fire Damage Claims in Augusta

If fire has damaged your Augusta home, your claim may not look like a typical one. A good share of the city's housing, from downtown to Summerville, sits in protected historic districts, and older homes across Richmond County were built in ways that most insurance estimates don't account for. This page covers what's specific to Augusta. For 35 years, Insurance Claims Consultants has helped property owners across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina recover what their policies actually owe them.

"My name's on this business, and after 45 years I still take these calls myself — and I stand behind every claim we take." — Jeffrey A. Raines, Founder

Call us directly at (864) 497-2151.

A fire claim covers far more than what burned: heat damage to wiring and framing, water from firefighting, and smoke and soot that settle where you can't see them. The insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, and early estimates often miss that hidden damage. Report the loss promptly, and photograph everything before you clean up or throw anything away. Our fire damage claims guide walks through the whole process, from the first days after the fire to settlement.

Augusta has several local historic districts, including Downtown, Olde Town, and Summerville, where fire rebuilds are common because so much of the housing stock predates 1930. Exterior work visible from the street in these districts needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission before it begins. That approval is separate from the building permit, and most rebuilds need both.

The Commission meets monthly at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building, 535 Telfair Street, and reviews everything from fence repairs to full reconstructions. Straightforward repairs that match existing materials can sometimes be handled administratively by staff; new construction, additions, and demolition go to the full Commission. Either way, the request goes through Augusta Planning & Development.

What this means for your claim:

• Repair comes before replace. Historic features are expected to be repaired where possible, and replacements must match the original in design, texture and, where possible, material. That usually costs more than the standard-grade materials an insurance estimate is built on.
• Photograph historic features before debris removal. The Commission's review expects damage that can't be repaired to be documented with photos. Those same photos support your insurance claim.
• Look closely at your Ordinance or Law coverage. This part of a homeowners policy pays the extra cost of meeting building codes and local rules when you rebuild. Many policies include only a limited amount unless it was added, and whether it applies to historic-district requirements can depend on your policy's exact wording. That's worth having reviewed before you accept an estimate.
• Allow for review time. Historic approval adds time before work can start, which can stretch how long you need temporary housing. Your additional living expense claim should reflect the real timeline, not a standard one.

Fire repairs require a building permit through Augusta's License and Inspection Department, part of Planning & Development. The permits office is at 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300, Augusta, GA 30901, open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some smaller scopes of work, such as re-roofing, siding, windows, and gutters, can be permitted online rather than in person.

Fee schedules changed as of June 9, 2025, so confirm current rates with the permits office rather than relying on an old estimate. Fire reconstruction plans also go through the Fire Marshal's Office for fire-safety review.

Many of Augusta's older homes, particularly in Summerville and Olde Town, were built in ways that affect both how fire spreads and how large the claim becomes.

• Balloon framing. In many wood-frame homes built before the mid-1900s, wall studs run continuously from the foundation to the roof with no fire blocking between floors. Fire and smoke can travel inside the walls from one floor to the next, so damage often reaches well beyond what you can see. A thorough claim opens walls to check.
• Older wiring. Original or early wiring often can't be saved after a fire, and replacing it means bringing the house up to current electrical code. That cost belongs under Ordinance or Law coverage, not just the basic repair estimate.
• Plaster, heart pine, and original millwork. These materials take on smoke differently from modern ones and are costly to match. An estimate written around drywall and stock trim will come in low.

Emergencies: Call 911. Augusta Fire Department non-emergency line: 706-821-2300.

Shelter and supplies right after a fire: The American Red Cross of Augusta, chartered in 1917 and based on Ellis Street, responds to home fires and helps families with a place to stay, food, and basic supplies. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Local assistance of all kinds: Dial 211, or call 706-826-1495 from a cell phone, for United Way of the CSRA's referral line covering housing, food, and utility help.

Emotional support: Call or text 988, any time of day.

Permits and historic review: Augusta License and Inspection, 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300. Historic Preservation Commission review through Augusta Planning & Development, same address.

Talk With Us About Your Augusta Fire Claim

A fire in an older or historic Augusta home is rarely a simple claim. We'll review your policy, including your Ordinance or Law coverage, look at what the insurer's estimate leaves out, and tell you plainly whether we can help.

Click the ICC logo below to talk with us live by phone or video conference, or call us directly at (864) 497-2151. We serve all of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.