How Much Time to Settle a Fire Claim in Ontario?

Recovering from a house fire is about more than rebuilding walls and replacing belongings. It’s about trying to restore a sense of safety and control in the face of unexpected loss. If you’ve experienced a fire, you’re likely counting on your insurance to step in and help. But many Ontario homeowners find themselves asking: how long will this take? What happens if there are delays? And where do I turn if things don’t go as expected?

Home insurance rates are rising faster than inflation in many Canadian provinces, with the national average increase coming in at 5.28% in 2025. Eastern provinces had lower average increases, while Western provinces trended a bit higher, with Ontario landing in the middle with an increase of 5.45%. As such, policyholders are understandably concerned about what kind of support they’ll actually receive when they need it. 

While most insurance companies process claims in good faith, the process can feel slow, complex, and opaque. At McNally Gervan, we work with homeowners to clarify their rights, support them through the claims process, and, when needed, advocate for the fair compensation they’re entitled to under their policy.

 

Typical Timelines for Fire Insurance Claims

Most fire claims in Ontario are resolved within one to four months. That timeframe can vary significantly depending on the scale of the damage, the clarity of your insurance coverage, and the availability of required documentation. A straightforward claim for minor property damage may be processed relatively quickly. A more complex claim involving a total loss or extensive personal contents could take longer—especially if there are questions about the cause of the fire or disagreements over the value of the loss.

Under Ontario law, there are no fixed time limits by which an insurance company must settle a home insurance claim. Instead, insurers are expected to process claims in a reasonable and timely manner, as required by the general principles of good faith in insurance law. If your insurer is communicating regularly and explaining their progress, some delay may be understandable. But if you’ve submitted everything that’s been requested and haven’t received a clear response, it may be time to ask questions or seek legal guidance.  There is a legal mechanism in the Insurance Act of Ontario that requires an insurance company to make a decision about whether or not to pay a claim within 30 days of receipt of a proper Proof of Claim document.  A lawyer can assist you in preparing your Proof of Claim.  It may also be a precondition to starting a lawsuit against your insurance company for breach of contract if they fail to pay the claim.

 

Fire Claims Related to Auto Accidents

In some cases, fire damage isn’t caused by a house fire at all—it stems from a vehicle fire following a car accident. These types of incidents raise different questions about coverage, liability, and the process for filing a claim. If your vehicle caught fire during or after a collision, or if your car was parked in a garage or driveway that was damaged by fire, your claim may involve more than just property insurance.

In Ontario, damage to a vehicle caused by fire is typically handled under the comprehensive portion of a car insurance policy. If the fire was the result of a collision, fault will be assessed based on the circumstances of the accident, and liability coverage may also come into play. Where injuries occur, there may also be a right to accident benefit claims, regardless of who was at fault.

Coordinating a fire claim with a car insurance claim can be complicated if they aren’t insured with the same insurer —especially if multiple policies are involved or if the insurer is disputing whether fire-related damage falls under collision, comprehensive, or third-party coverage. Our team at McNally Gervan helps clients understand how their auto and property insurance policies interact and ensures that all available sources of compensation are pursued.

 

How Long Do You Have to File a Fire Claim?

To avoid unnecessary delays, you must act promptly after a fire. 

Most insurance policies in Ontario require you to report a loss as soon as possible—usually within 30 to 60 days. Your insurer may also ask you to submit a signed proof of loss form, which outlines the extent of your damages, including property and personal belongings. Submitting this form late, or without sufficient detail, can slow the process or even affect your eligibility for coverage.

 

What’s Needed to Support Your Claim?

Insurers rely on documentation to assess your claim. You’ll need to provide your insurance agent with a list of damaged personal property, photos or videos showing the condition of your home, repair estimates, and receipts or records for high-value possessions. The value of your lost or damaged property may be calculated based on actual cash value, which accounts for depreciation, unless you’ve purchased a policy that includes full replacement cost. 

If you’re not sure what your policy covers, or if you’ve been offered a settlement that seems low, our team can help you review the fine print and determine whether the insurer’s assessment is reasonable.

 

What Causes Claim Delays?

Delays can happen for many reasons, and not all of them are avoidable. Your insurance provider may be waiting on an inspection, or an accident report for an auto insurance claim, assessing whether the damage falls under your policy’s terms, or requesting additional documentation. Your insurance record and claims history could also be complicating factors. 

When the timeline becomes unclear, or when decisions are being made without proper explanation, that’s when it’s worth speaking with a lawyer who understands how insurers operate and what your rights are as a policyholder.

 

How McNally Gervan Can Help

At McNally Gervan, we regularly assist clients in situations where claims have been delayed, undervalued, or denied. In some cases, the issue is a simple miscommunication or missing documentation. In others, the insurer’s decision may be based on an overly narrow interpretation of the policy or an incomplete review of the damage. We take the time to understand what’s been lost and what coverage should apply, and we help our clients pursue the full settlement they deserve—whether through negotiation or, when necessary, legal action.

 

What Should You Do If You’re Facing Delays or Uncertainty?

If your insurer is unresponsive, if you’ve received a settlement that doesn’t reflect the actual cost of repair or replacement, or if you’re just not sure whether the process is on track, there are steps you can take. 

Start by confirming that all documents have been submitted, including your proof of loss and any receipts or estimates. Then follow up with your insurance adjuster to request a timeline for review and payment. If you don’t receive a satisfactory response, consider speaking with a legal professional who can assess your claim from an independent perspective.

At McNally Gervan, we believe that insurance should work the way it’s meant to: as a source of protection and peace of mind during difficult times. Our lawyers understand the stress that follows a fire, and we’re here to help you navigate the claims process. 

Whether you’re at the start of your claim or stuck in the middle of one that’s going nowhere, we can help you get answers and move forward.

To learn more about how we support clients, contact our team of insurance and personal injury lawyers in Ottawa today. We’re ready to help.