After a fire, the insurance claim can feel as overwhelming as the damage itself. Knowing what your policy usually covers, what to record and how the process works makes it easier to get what you are entitled to and get home sooner.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent fire damage restoration provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
What a fire claim often includes
A fire claim usually covers more than the building. Check your policy for these.
- Damage to the structure of the home
- Smoke, soot and water damage from firefighting
- Damaged belongings, also called contents
- Somewhere to stay while the home is repaired
- Emergency costs such as board up and tarping
- Cleaning and odor removal
What to do right now
Only enter the home when the fire department says it is safe. Do not throw anything away until your insurer has seen it or you have photographed it.
- Call your insurer and note the claim number
- Ask about additional living expenses if you cannot stay home
- Photograph every room and damaged item
- Start a room by room list of damaged belongings
- Keep receipts for hotels, meals, clothing and emergency repairs
- Get a copy of the fire department report
Terms worth knowing
Additional living expenses
Extra costs of living elsewhere while your home is repaired, such as a hotel and meals, often covered up to a limit.
Replacement cost
Pays to replace damaged items with new ones, often after you buy them.
Actual cash value
Pays what an item was worth, taking age and wear into account, which is usually less.
Proof of loss
A formal, signed statement of what you are claiming. Your insurer may ask for it within a set time.
How a fire claim usually works
- You report the fire and get a claim number.
- The home is secured, and emergency costs are recorded.
- An adjuster inspects the damage, often with the restoration provider’s documentation.
- You submit a list of damaged belongings and any proof of loss requested.
- The insurer pays according to your policy, sometimes in stages as repairs are completed.
Tips for a smoother fire claim
- Read your policy limits for the building, contents and living expenses
- Keep a log of every call and email with your insurer
- Ask for decisions in writing
- Get your own repair estimates to compare with the adjuster’s
- In most states you can hire a licensed public adjuster, who charges a share of the claim
Questions to ask before you hire
- Will you document smoke, soot and water damage for my adjuster?
- Can you work with my insurance company directly?
- How will you handle belongings that can be cleaned?
- What happens if the adjuster’s estimate is lower than yours?
- Will your invoice list each item clearly?
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a fire claim?
Report the fire as soon as possible. Policies set deadlines for notices and proof of loss, so check yours.
Will insurance pay for a hotel after a fire?
Many policies include additional living expenses when the home cannot be lived in. Keep every receipt.
What if I cannot remember everything I owned?
Walk through each room in your mind, check photos, bank statements and online orders, and add items as you remember them.
What if I disagree with the insurer's offer?
Ask for the reasons in writing, provide your own estimates and consider a licensed public adjuster. Your state insurance department can help with complaints.
Learn more
Our main fire damage restoration guide covers the wider picture, including what affects the cost and when to call a professional.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.