What to Do After a Home Fire – and How Your Insurance Company Can Help
Home fires are traumatic and devastating disasters. The best insurance against a fire in your home is, of course, prevention. Make sure your home has a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and smoke alarms on every floor. Test your smoke detectors at least once a month to ensure they work properly. Be aware of the behaviors that can reduce the risk of fire. For example, clean the lint filter of the dryer, do not leave unattended pots on the stove and do not burn candles near flammable materials too. It is also important to plan and prepare and practice making an escape plan with all members of your family, just in case.
No matter how careful you are, however, sometimes things are out of your control. Ignoring all fire safety precautions, it is possible that some day again the victim of a house fire. In this unfortunate case, your home insurance provider will become an important source of information and support.The safety of your family, of course, is the most important thing of all. In the event of a fire in a house, put this plan into practice safety, leaving everyone and meet in a designated area. Call 911 from a neighbor's house and wait for authorities to arrive. Do not go home, but the fire seems low. Contact family members who need to know that you are well and safe.
Call Your Insurance Company
Once everyone is safe and authorities are on the way, made a call to your insurance company. An agent will be able to guide you through the process. It's natural to feel overwhelmed and distracted after a major disaster such as a fire in your home - a good insurance agent is kind and patient with you, not rush into anything.It is much easier to make a claim if you already have an inventory of your assets and their values. Consider making a list or make a video tour of your home before having to make a claim. Keep these documents safely out of the house.Here are some things you should do with your insurance agent after a fire in your home:
Start a claim immediately. Your request may take a long time, but you can start as soon as possible. Keep a copy of all receipts and communication with your insurance company from first day.
Request a preview of your insurance claim to cover their immediate needs, such as housing, food and clothing. Keep a copy of all receipts.
Secure your property. Your insurance policy may require you to go up to the house if you can not live in it or open areas covered with tarps or plastic sheeting. Wait until authorities give permission to enter the house - and understand that if the damage was too great, you may never be able to return. If you're not living in the building, then consider driving from time to time, and ask the neighbors to keep an eye out and contact you if they realize that someone is lurking around your property empty.
Clean your property. Hopefully the fire damage was minimal, but even a small fire, take some cleaning. You have the right to choose your own cleaning business or go with the proposal by the insurance company. You probably have a contract with someone to dry your home, so that the water used to extinguish the fire did not cause more damage.
Estimate cost of repair or replacement. Your insurance company will send an insurance adjuster. You are allowed to enter private estimate your own good. Once you have agreed with your insurance company, you can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
Be sure to compare home insurance policies before buying a house and continue paying their home insurance premiums, even if you think that the house is completely destroyed. You want to be sure that any damage after the fire to cover. We also want to be covered for personal liability in case someone is injured on your property. Ask your insurance agent if the premium reduction is available, at least until you can enter your house.
Fires can be devastating - both for good and for you. Personal items such as pictures and antiques can never be replaced, and the blow to their sense of security can be very painful. However, knowing what to do and planning ahead can help ease the burden and stress, if you ever find yourself the victim of a house fire.
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