Securing Yourself & The Site After a Fire has Occurred
If you’ve experienced a fire, be prepared to stay somewhere else besides your home for at least a day, or possibly longer, depending on how much smoke or fire damage your home has. A restoration company can help connect you with your insurance company to figure out your next steps.
Before discarding any damaged items, it’s important to create a detailed inventory list. These items play a crucial role when filing your insurance claim, as they serve as evidence of loss or damage. If you’re considering hiring a professional to assist with inventory documentation or repairs, be sure to discuss it with your insurance company first. This ensures that any actions you take align with your policy and won’t impact your claim processing.
Your Insurance company/adjuster can help you with:
- Filing a claim and explaining what’s covered
- Arranging temporary housing (hotel or rental home)
- Replacing clothing, eyeglasses, and other personal items
- Covering the cost of food and essential living expenses
- Replacing prescription medications and medical equipment
- Helping find repair or rebuilding options for your home
- Providing funds to replace furniture and appliances
- Coordinating cleanup services for smoke, soot, and water damage
- Assisting with document recovery (IDs, insurance papers, etc.)
- Helping you create an inventory of damaged or lost items
- Connecting you with disaster recovery specialist
What to Do Immediately After Leaving Your Fire-Damaged Home
- Make sure to inform your local fire department that the property will be unoccupied.
- Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on the property in case of vandalism or break-ins.
- In some situations, you may need to secure your windows or doors to deter trespassers.
- It’s also important to save all receipts for any expenses related to the fire. These receipts are crucial when submitting your insurance claim and can help support any losses you report for tax purposes.
If Safe, Try to Locate the Following Items:
- Identification (e.g., drivers licenses, social security card, passport, etc.)
- Insurance Information
- Medication Information
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other prosthetic devices
- Valuables (e.g., credit cards, cash, jewelry, etc.)
There are several people and organizations you should notify if you’ve been displaced and are relocating, even temporarily. Keeping them informed ensures your mail, services, and support are uninterrupted. These may include:
- Insurance agent/company
- Mortgage company
- Bank and credit card companies
- Healthcare providers
- Friends and family
- Employer and child’s school
- Post office
- Delivery Services
- Fire and Police Departments/Local government agencies
- Utility Providers
