Between 2012 and 2016, there is an average of 355,400 annual home structure fires, resulting in $6.5 billion in property damage, as well as death and injuries. If unfortunately, your home becomes part of this statistic, you’d want to get your new living arrangements in order and get back to normal life as soon as possible. As such, here are the necessary things you’d want to do after your house burns down:
Breathe
First off, breathe. A house fire and the days following the incident can be stressful and taxing. So don’t forget to take a deep breath and ask, don’t hesitate to find comfort and support with family and friends to help you get through.
Find a Place to Stay
Even if the fire damage isn’t enough to cover your entire home, chances are you won’t be able to or allowed to stay in your own home. So you and your family will need to find a safe place to stay while you’re sorting things out. You can always take shelter and support from close friends and relatives, but if that isn’t an option, you can find a place to temporary rent out using your savings or insurance funds for daily expenses. There are property management firms in Salt Lake City and all over the United States that have real estate agents that can assist you in finding a temporary place to stay for the meantime while you’re sorting out your living arrangements. As a last resort, you can also contact local disaster relief agencies that can find you a temporary place to stay in.
Claim Your Insurance
One of the first things you’d want to do after a fire burns down your house is to contact your insurance agent and claim it immediately for you to begin repairs or start searching for a new home. If you have good insurance, there should be funds in your insurance policy that can cover your daily living expenses while you’re dealing with the transitions. However, you’ll need a few things to properly claim insurance. First off, list every damaged possession and items that you’d want to be reimbursed. It’s important that you have a copy of receipts, photos of your important and expensive items (which might be saved on your phones or your family members’ social media account), the fire report from the fire department that responded to the house fire, and basically document or documentation that can make the claim easier and cover as much losses (of the property and the possessions) as possible.
Get Your Finances in Order
Unfortunately, most of the time, you’d still have to pay your mortgage even when your home is burnt down. But hopefully, your insurance can cover the home’s value and the mortgage. So be sure to include this issue when calling your insurance agent, and take care of your mortgage with the bank or mortgage lender.
Conclusion
A house fire can be a stressful experience, and the following days won’t be that easy with the transition and changes in the living environment, and dealing with your insurance and finances. But it’s essential to have a list like this to properly guide you and make the whole ordeal a little less difficult for you and your family.
