What To Do After a House Fire Checklist In Georgia

Published on June 7th, 2023

A Good Starting Place to Consider

Disclaimer: Though we are seasoned fire damage house buyers and are considered experts in the real estate industry, we are not giving you any legal, financial or medical advice. If what you read in any or our articles make sense to you, please consult with your attorney, financial advisor or doctor before making any decisions.

There are companies as ourselves that buy houses that have been effected by fire damage. After you do all the critical steps in this guide. Feel free to request a cash offer if you decide not to rebuild the property which in most cases is a lot harder and stress than assumed.

As an individual or a parent with a family that depends on you. You may be wondering who buys fire damaged homes or what do I do, I'm stuck with a big headache, rest assure we do and we'll make the process fast and easy.

Lets Get into It

Homeowners' insurance should protect against financial losses from a fire, but it's important to be aware of some things to look out for. A disastrous event like a house fire can leave you feeling overwhelmed and fragile. Many steps need to be taken after a home fire, so it's best to have a plan in place ahead of time. That way, you won't forget anything important along the way. It's also helpful to see what others have done in their situation. Check out the ultimate checklist below and see if any items stand out to you!

What To Do After Fire In Georgia

No one wants to live through a house fire. It's an unforgettable experience that can happen to anyone at any time. Once the fire is contained and extinguished, it's important to take care of the aftermath. If you've just experienced a house fire and want some help on where to start, here is what you need to do:

1) Call the local fire department.

It's important to notify the fire department immediately after a fire. Even if it doesn't seem like anything is wrong, you should call them - even if you don't think there is any damage. You may not be able to see the damage from inside when the fire is out. If there are no injuries and it was accidental, then most likely, the fire department will just come out and ensure everything is safe. If you suspect arson or the house has extensive structural damage, call 911 instead.

2) Turn off the gas and water.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the gas and water. You can usually find these valves in the basement, but it's best to ask an expert or go through your home manual to be sure.

3) Pick up necessities (medications, clothes) from your home.

When you have a house fire, you will need to pick up some necessities from your home. The first thing that you should take is medications and clothing. You will also want to take any salvageable personal items. If possible, remove hazardous materials like paint and varnishes before cleanup begins.

4) Take pets to a safe location.

In the panic of a house fire, it's easy to forget about your pets. After the emergency crew arrives, take your pets outside and keep them with you until you know it is safe to go back in. If there is any threat of smoke inhalation, have your pet wear an oxygen mask or use one yourself for both of you.

5) Secure the home

The first thing you will want to do is secure the home. It includes ensuring that all doors and windows are closed and removing combustible items from the premises. You also want to make sure that there is no electricity running to the house before turning off the power at the breaker box.

6) Call a fire restoration company.

When a house fire occurs, it's essential to contact a licensed, professional restoration company to help mitigate the damage and restore your home. They can help immediately and may suffer further damage!

Restoration companies have a variety of tasks they need to complete to return a property to its pre-loss state of a restoration process. They must also address fire and smoke damage restoration and any structural damage. The company must also take care of the property's contents, cleaning and restoring them as necessary.

You will need to contact your insurance agent and start filing claims right away if you have insurance. Don't wait until the last minute!

You can also consider boarding up the house yourself or hire a company to do so.

7) Contact insurance company

After a fire, the first step is to contact your homeowners' insurance company. Ask them if you need to file an insurance claim and if they will be providing temporary living accommodations. It's also important to ensure that your home is insured for fire damage. Even if you didn't have insurance during the fire, there are some resources that can help you move along to recovering.

8) Let family and friends know you're okay.

After a fire, the first thing you need to do is let your family and friends know you're okay. These people will be worried about you and want to know that you are safe. You may not have access to your phone or internet because of the damage, so be sure to have contact information for them beforehand.

If you can't stay with family or friends, or if there's no available space, don't worry. You can always contact a local disaster relief agency to help you find temporary housing. Organizations like the Salvation Army or the Red Cross can help connect you with temporary housing.

9) Gather necessary information for your insurance carrier

As soon as you are able, gather all of the necessary information for your insurance carrier. It includes:

• The date and time of the fire
• A detailed list of damaged or destroyed items
• Pictures or video of the damage (if possible)
• Any witnesses to the fire that you can get contact information for
• In addition to contacting your insurance carrier, you should also file a police fire report with your local law enforcement agency. They will need this to close out their investigation.
• Identify who will handle the insurance claim process.

10) Proof of ownership of damaged items

If you have not already done so, take pictures of your property and keep receipts for everything lost in the fire. That will be necessary to verify ownership of the items when filing a claim.

• Pictures of you with your personal property (in some cases)
• A copy of your insurance policy or insurance declaration page from your homeowners/renters policy (always carry this with you)
• Proof of payment for all mortgage/rent payments on time (a canceled check or bank statement)

11) The cause of the fire

If you know what caused the fire, let the fire department know. Even if it were an accident, they would want to ensure no other potential causes of fires in your home. They may ask you about flammable liquids or equipment in your home. They will also ask for the name and contact information of any witnesses to the fire. Most importantly, keep yourself safe!

12) Insurance Claim Process

After a house fire, the insurance claim process can be complicated, but it's important to know your options and gather as much information as possible. Your insurance agency will handle the complicated bureaucratic side of things, but it's helpful to know what questions to ask and what information to provide to maximize your settlement.

There is a list of questions to ask your house fire insurance adjuster and agent:

• What should I expect during the claim process?
• What documents will I need to provide?
• What are the time limits for submitting a claim?
• How will my insurance company determine the amount of my settlement?
• What happens if I disagree with the settlement amount?
• Can I use a lawyer to help me settle my claim?

Final Thought

After a house fire, it's important to know what to do to make the restoration process easier. By following our simple checklist, you can ensure that you and your family are taken care of after this traumatic event. If you're experiencing damage to your home or property from the storm, don't hesitate to get help from local disaster relief services. They can provide you with the resources you need to get your life back on track.