Fire last night? Breathe. Here's what to do.
The single most important thing right now: secure the property and don't sign anything yet. What you do in the first 48 hours shapes your entire claim.
About 4 minutes, free. See where your claim's value is at risk, before your next call with the insurance company.
Secure it. Document it. Protect it.
If the fire is still active or anyone is hurt, call 911 first. Then get board-up and emergency mitigation rolling: typically covered by your policy, not out of your pocket.
Request emergency help
Fire just happened? Tell us where to reach you and a licensed adjuster will call back fast. No fee unless we take your claim.
Do this first.
- Secure the property: board-up, tarping, stopping further damage. Call your carrier to open the claim, but give no recorded statement yet.
- Photograph everything before anything is moved, cleaned, or thrown away. Even ruined items are proof.
- Don't sign anything yet, not even a friendly-looking contractor form. One signature can commit you to far more than you think.
- Track every dollar: hotel, meals, emergency spending. Photograph receipts the same day you get them.
Emergency board-up and mitigation are typically covered by your policy, not out of your pocket. Confirm it on your declarations page.
Four things to avoid in the first 48 hours
- Don't give a recorded statement without guidance. It's not a conversation. It's evidence.
- Don't sign a contractor work authorization on the spot. One signature can commit you to all four phases with no price.
- Don't throw anything away. Even ruined items are proof. Photograph everything first.
- Don't minimize on the phone. "It's not that bad" becomes the carrier's favorite quote.
Do get your free Claim Score. About 4 minutes, no pressure: an honest read on where your claim stands and what to watch for, before the carrier's adjuster calls.
Then get your free Claim Score
Once everyone's safe and the property is secure, take about 4 minutes to see where your claim's value could be at risk, before your next call with the insurance company.
Get My Free Claim Score