Take these steps to help you recover after a serious house fire.
Experiencing a serious house fire is stressful and traumatic. This is why many homeowners avoid thinking about this possibility. However, it’s important that you have a fire recovery plan in place. From accessing your homeowners insurance in Carrollton, Texas to finding temporary housing, here’s what you should do to get back on your feet after a house fire.
Call Your Insurance Provider
One of the first things you should do after a fire is contact your home insurer. Your insurance agent will be able to walk you through this difficult time and will do their best to ensure you have immediate coverage to address your needs. For instance, they might activate “Loss of Use” coverage which will offer funds to help you pay for essentials such as food, clothes, and so on. Additionally, your agent will also help you begin the claims process. The sooner you begin this process, the sooner you can access your coverage.
Register for Aid
After making the necessary phone calls, you should register your family at local shelters as well as with larger relief agencies such as the Red Cross. Registering quickly after a devastating fire will ensure that you and your family receive the emergency assistance that you will need to get you on the road to recovery.
Inspect Your Property
Once you get the all-clear from the fire department, you should return to your home and survey the damage. You should also call in the professionals so you can get their opinion on repairing or rebuilding your home. Just make sure that the contractors you rely on have experience dealing with fire damage.
Secure Safe Housing
Even if your home is still standing after a fire, it will probably be uninhabitable while it is undergoing repairs. If this is the case for you, then you will have to secure temporary housing for your family. If you only need a place to stay for a short time, then you should be fine staying with family or friends or at a hotel. However, if the repairs are more extensive, then you will have to look for a more long-term housing solution such. In some cases, your homeowners insurance will cover the cost of this temporary housing, so make sure you understand all the coverages included in your policy.
Take these steps to help you start to recover after a serious house fire. Remember, having the right homeowners insurance in Carrollton, Texas is one of the most important things that you can do to prepare for the possibility of a fire. To find the right policies to meet your needs, contact the professionals at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers including: Kemper, MetLife, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.