What To Do After A House Fire

1. Contact Key People

Your Insurance Company

There are four things you need to address when calling the insurance company:

• Your claim: Starting the claim process ASAP is key. Fire restoration can take weeks or months, depending on the damage. The sooner you file, the sooner the healing can begin.
• Security: Ask about securing your property – boarding up windows or installing a temporary fence might be necessary.
• Restoration services: DIY fire restoration is a recipe for disaster. Inquire about using a professional restoration company. They’ll get your home back on track, fast.
• Policy coverage: Ask what your policy covers for temporary housing and living expenses while your home is being restored. Let them ease the burden during this difficult time.

Your Mortgage Provider

Fire damage won’t stop your mortgage payments, but you might get a break. Contact your lender to inquire about forbearance options. This could allow you to temporarily pause or reduce your payments while you recover.

Your Fire Damage Restoration Company

Don’t attempt DIY fire and smoke damage cleanup! Instead, contact a professional restoration company. They can work directly with your insurance company to streamline the process and ensure a proper restoration.

Employers and Schools

If the fire disrupts your work or school schedule due to displacement, notify your employers and schools as soon as possible. This will help manage any potential absences while you find temporary housing.

2. Secure Accommodations

Before you head back in, figure out where you’ll stay temporarily. Whether it’s a hotel or a friend’s couch, be sure to keep all receipts! These can be helpful for claiming Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage on your insurance policy.

It’s basically an insurance safety net that covers extra living costs if you’re forced to leave your home due to a covered event, like water damage. So, keep those receipts handy – they could come in useful later!

3. Secure Your Property

Once you’ve contacted the fire department and insurance company, it’s time to secure your property. The extent of the damage will determine the actions needed. For major fire damage, professional help is crucial. They’ll tarp the roof, board up windows and doors, and seal any holes to prevent further weather damage. Safety first! Authorities will give you the green light to re-enter once the property is secured.

4. Manage Utilities

After a fire, the fire department will check your home’s utilities – water, electricity, gas, and heat – to make sure they’re safe to use. If they need to be shut off, don’t try to be a hero and turn them back on yourself! Contact the respective utility company. They’ll inspect the equipment, make any repairs, and get your utilities safely up and running again.

5. Salvage Items

When it’s been deemed safe by authorities to re-enter your home, there are several steps to take. They include:

• Locate and collect key items to take with you, such as medication, personal aids (eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.), and valuable and personal belongings.
• Perform a damage assessment and identify salvageable items
• Document everything

Document everything after the fire – it’s key! That includes any expenses you have, like replacing clothes or furniture. Don’t forget to document items that are too damaged to save. The restoration company will be doing the same. All this paperwork becomes your super power during the insurance claim process.

The Role of Damage Restoration Services

Soot, smoke damage, and lingering odors are no match for a garden hose and some elbow grease. This complex job requires professionals with the right gear, cleaning muscle, and proven processes. Not only is attempting DIY fire restoration dangerous, but you can also cause even more damage to your property if not done correctly. Let the pros handle the fire, so you can focus on healing.

1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Southwestern Indiana technicians are trained to handle smoke damage restoration. Once on-site, we will take the following action:

• Assess the damage: We carefully survey the property to evaluate the extent of the damage, including assessing damage to structural elements, salvaging items, and determining the cleaning processes.
• Create a plan: Working with your insurance company, we create a plan to address damage and how to clean most efficiently.
  
• Remove debris: We remove damaged debris, including drywall, ceiling tiles, flooring, and other items. If furniture, appliances, and other personal belongings have been deemed salvageable, we will set them aside and protect them for the necessary next steps.
• Clean Residue Our technicians clean and remove soot and smoke residue from surfaces in every room.
• Remove Odors: An important part of the specialty cleaning process involves removing smoke odors.

Depending on the extent of the damage, this process can take days, weeks, or even months to complete.

 

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