4 Steps To Take After a Fire
6/23/2020 (Permalink)
4 Steps To Take After a Fire
After a fire, your Palm Bay, FL, home will likely require fire restoration to return it to its previous condition. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, this process will often be covered by your policy. Here are a few things you should do after a fire to ensure that the claims process goes well.
1. Call Your Insurance Company
One of the first things you should do after any damage to your home occurs is to call your insurance agent. Contacting him or her right away will allow you to get the process started quickly. Because a fire insurance claim may take a while, you will want to begin as soon as possible.
2. Contact a Professional Restoration Service
In some cases, your insurance company or agent may give you a list of restoration services that they recommend. You should arrange to have these professionals come in as soon as you can. They will perform smoke cleaning as well as any necessary repairs to the building. They may be able to salvage some of your damaged belongings as well.
3. Take Photos of Affected Areas and Belongings
While you are waiting for the fire restoration company, it is a good idea to take pictures of any areas of your home that have been damaged in the fire. The insurance company will use these to help determine the amount of your claim. The restoration company may also take pictures before they begin working.
4. Prevent Further Damage
Sometimes, your insurance company will require remediation to prevent damage from worsening. You can start on this before the professionals arrive, moving smaller items to safer locations and blocking off areas that haven’t been affected. The restoration company, however, will include mitigation and remediation in their services.
Because fire restoration can be a lengthy and costly process, you should do what you can to ensure your insurance company approves your claim. Acting quickly and contacting them right away is a good place to start.