The loss of your home to a fire is one of the worst feelings in the world. It’s so sudden and getting your loved ones and yourself to safety is the most important thing you can do. After everyone is squared away, you need to figure out what to do next. You need to think about where you go from here.
First thing, you need to call your insurance provider. Don’t expect anyone else to do that for you; you need to do it now to start the ball rolling. Even when you’re prompt and organized, subsequent steps will take time and your insurance provider will help as best they can if they know what has happened to you. You will need to get a copy of the fire report from the first responders and scan it into a .pdf so that whenever anyone asks for a copy, you can email them a duplicate right away.
Even though it may look safe enough, you’re risking your life a second time if you enter a building whose roof or floor are weakened and can collapse. The first responders will be able to tell you whether your home is safe and it would probably be a story for them to tell if they were called back a second time to pull you from your own basement. Don’t chance it. It’s only sound if they tell you it’s sound.
You’re going to need a place to stay. You may need to reach out to family or friends and if that’s not available, the Canadian Red Cross may be able to help (1-888-800-6493). You may also need to discuss with the police ways of securing your home to prevent further loss from theft or vandalism.
If the house was not a total loss, now is the time to decide how to repair and clean the damage. Fire, smoke and water from fire-fighting are pervasive and terrible. There are professionals available for almost all aspects of this kind of work but before you hire people to start the process, communicate fully with your insurer to be certain this is the correct course to follow.
Losing your home is a terrible shock but the road to recovery and restoration can be taxing all by itself. Working closely with your insurance provider and making sure you’re getting your needs met is the very best way to come out the other side with only the bad memories and no permanent set back. Once the paperwork is all done, we start the process of rebuilding!
