{"id":10729,"date":"2023-05-03T16:57:44","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T21:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guaranteedrate.wpengine.com\/insurance\/?p=10729"},"modified":"2025-08-08T10:27:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T15:27:01","slug":"how-do-i-submit-an-insurance-claim-after-a-house-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rate.com\/insurance\/resources\/how-do-i-submit-an-insurance-claim-after-a-house-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Submit an Insurance Claim After a House Fire?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Accidents and natural disasters happen, and that\u2019s why having homeowners insurance is essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Fire Protection Association<\/a> (NFPA) identifies five primary causes of house fires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Cooking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Heating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Electrical distribution and lighting equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Intentional fire setting<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Smoking materials<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Cooking is the cause of most home fires and injuries, while smoking is responsible for most deaths caused by house fires. House fires can range from minor kitchen fires to total losses and can be disruptive or life-changing events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fire insurance coverage helps you recover from a house fire. Reach out to an insurance expert<\/a> at Guaranteed Rate to learn more about coverage options.<\/p>\n\n\n\t

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    Start saving on insurance<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    What should I do after a fire in my home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A house fire can be an incredibly distressing event for any homeowner. Even a small fire can cause significant damage. You’ll need to act fast and contact your insurer when it’s safe and practical. They\u2019ll send an adjuster to assess the damage, but there are some important steps to take before their arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Document the damage and losses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Take photos and videos of the damaged areas. Create a list of your home\u2019s contents, and make sure it\u2019s easily accessible. Gather any receipts for damaged items if available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Secure the damaged area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Protect your property and prevent further losses. Board up areas open to the outside with plywood. Turn off water pipes and cover items with tarps so the elements can\u2019t get to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Review your home insurance coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Note your deductible, personal property coverage, dwelling coverage, and whether your property coverage is replacement cost or actual cash value. If the damage is so extensive that you cannot stay in your home, review what\u2019s covered under loss of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When the adjuster arrives to assess the damage, make sure you are at home to meet them for the walk-through. Knowing your home may help identify damage that might go unseen by someone seeing it for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Take notes during your conversation with the adjuster. A house fire\u2014even a small one\u2014can be a traumatic event, and having notes will help you remember important details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Almost all insurance companies require homeowners who have experienced a fire to take necessary steps to prevent further damage. This may include securing the area, removing standing water, and replacing saturated carpets to prevent mold and mildew growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Will homeowner’s insurance cover fire damage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Homeowners insurance<\/a> protects against accidental fires in your home. It also may cover other insured structures like garages and sheds on your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your insurance should also cover your home in the event of a wildfire. However, you should check your policy carefully if you live in an area at high risk for wildfires. Doublechecking will ensure you have adequate coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Since the risk of wildfires has risen due to extended periods of drought, some insurance companies have determined the liability has become too great and are now excluding wildfires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is smoke damage covered by homeowner\u2019s insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This distinction is crucial, as your home can experience smoke damage even without direct fire damage. If your neighbor’s house catches fire and the smoke damages your home, your insurance will pay for the repairs. Smoke from a fire can harm areas in your house that are not directly affected by the fire. This includes nearby rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Smoke, soot, and ash damage can also result from wildfires. Check your insurance policy if you live in a fire-prone area to make sure it includes coverage for smoke damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do I need to submit a renter’s insurance claim if I have a fire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you experience a fire in a home you rent, whether or not you need to submit an insurance claim depends on the extent of the damage and possibly the fire\u2019s cause. Typically, landlord\u2019s insurance covers the structure, while renter\u2019s insurance<\/a> covers your belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s say an electrical fire started in an outdoor light fixture and damaged a portion of the siding and front door. The fire was contained to the outside of the home, and none of your belongings were affected. In this case, there\u2019s no reason for a renter to file a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, this is a specific scenario, and even small fires can cause significant damage. A kitchen fire may destroy or damage both your property (pots, pans, dishes) and the landlord\u2019s property (stove, ceiling, fixtures). If the fire was accidental but your fault, such as leaving the stove unattended, your renter\u2019s insurance might need to cover the landlord\u2019s deductible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Determining which insurance policy\u2014the renter\u2019s or the landlord\u2019s\u2014covers damage from a fire in a rental home can be complex. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to purchase renter\u2019s insurance if you rent a home and ensure your landlord has an insurance policy as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is It expensive to clean up a home after a fire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cleaning up fire and smoke damage in a home can be quite costly. The extent and type of damage significantly influence the repair and replacement costs after a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A deck that catches fire from a deep-fried turkey mishap on Thanksgiving will cost less to replace than a fire that destroys a kitchen, for example. But even cleaning up after even a small fire can cost thousands of dollars. National Catastrophe Restoration Inc. estimates recovery from a small fire will cost between $2,500 to $5,000<\/a>, while a damaged kitchen can cost $50,000 or more to repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What can I do to make my house safer from fires?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some tips for how to make your home safer from fires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n