If you got a fire in your home, you might be under a lot of stress. There are a lot of things that have to be done immediately so you can go back to living your normal life. However, you may have too many things to think about, so you do not know what to do.
To help you out, here are five things you should do if you got a house fire.
Protect Your Home
If you had a large house fire, there is a good chance that you cannot stay in your home. However, an abandoned home will become a target for thieves and squatters, and you do not want to deal with additional problems. You can let the local police know that you had a fire so they can keep your home safe until you come back. You should also take other proactive measures as well. For instance, you can make sure all the locks work and board up your windows.
Insurance
You need to file a claim immediately after you got a house fire. It will help you find a new home or get repairs done as quickly as possible. It would help if you also looked for public adjusters in your area. They could help you get a bigger amount of money to repair or rebuild your property. It is especially important to hire a public adjust if you are not happy with the adjuster provided by your insurance company and to potentially receive a more favorable settlement.
Make a List
If you want to make sure that you get reimbursed, then you need to create a list of items that got damaged. It does not matter if it is small or big – you should write everything down. You may need to provide extra information, such as receipts, serial numbers, model and make, etc. You could go through your bank statements to show the exact costs and proof of purchase. Do not forget about any crucial documents. Tax information, medical records, titles and deeds, passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, etc., because you need to replace those immediately.
Figure Out Your Finances
You will still need to deal with your financial responsibilities even after your fire. While your insurance company could cover your mortgage, you have to think about your other recurring payments. For instance, you may not be in your home for a few months, so that you could cancel your internet and cable services in the meantime. Do not forget to keep any receipts if you had to buy things that you had to replace right away (for example, clothes and cooking equipment) to help you get reimbursed immediately.
Save Your Possessions
If you have items in your house that were not damaged, you should get them after the fire. However, it would be best if you waited for the fire marshal to state that it is safe to go back. Otherwise, you could void parts of the insurance policy if you enter too early. Remember to clean up any items that you take out of your home.
Dealing with the aftermath of a house fire can be difficult. Follow the tips above to fix the situation as quickly as possible.
