Home fires remain a leading source of loss for U.S. households. The National Fire Protection Association’s “Home Structure Fires” research shows that homes account for about a quarter of reported fires but roughly three-quarters of U.S. civilian fire deaths, with national home-structure incidents holding in the mid- to upper‑300,000s annually in recent years. Cooking is the top cause of home fires and injuries, while smoking materials and heating equipment are major contributors to deaths and winter losses; many fatal incidents occur where smoke alarms were absent or failed to operate—working alarms reduce death risk substantially (NFPA cooking; NFPA smoke alarms; USFA residential fires). Climate change adds context: more than 46 million U.S. homes sit in the wildland–urban interface where climate‑amplified wildfire conditions elevate structure-loss risk (U.S. National Climate Assessment), and the U.S. recorded 28 separate billion‑dollar weather/climate disasters in 2023 that often drive outages and higher‑risk behaviors in homes (NOAA Billion‑Dollar Disasters). If a fire damages your home, the steps below align with current insurance guidance and restoration standards to help you recover efficiently.
Talk to Your Homeowners Insurance Agent
Notify your insurer or agent immediately and ask specific questions grounded in today’s policy terms. Confirm coverages and deductibles, including any wildfire, hurricane/named‑storm, or wind/hail percentage deductibles; clarify if your roof is settled at actual cash value (ACV) due to age or material; and ask about “ordinance or law” (code‑upgrade) coverage when rebuilding (NAIC; Insurance Information Institute). Discuss Additional Living Expense (ALE/Loss of Use) benefits and whether advance payments are available if you’re displaced; in some declared wildfire disasters, states have strengthened consumer protections—such as a minimum of 24 months of ALE and extended periods to recover replacement‑cost benefits (California DOI; Colorado DOI). Remember standard homeowners policies exclude flood—separate flood insurance is required (NFIP FloodSmart).
Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage and document them. Tarp roof openings, board windows, and isolate unsafe rooms. Dry any firefighting or sprinkler water quickly—ideally within 24–48 hours—to help prevent mold growth (CDC mold guidance). Keep the HVAC system off until inspected; replace filters and upgrade to the highest MERV your system supports (ideally MERV 13) and consider portable HEPA cleaners to control smoke and soot particulates (EPA IAQ—wildfire smoke). Avoid ozone generators for odor control due to health risks and limited effectiveness at safe concentrations (EPA on ozone generators). If outdoor air is smoky (wildfire), keep windows closed and create a clean room with a HEPA unit; use appropriate PPE when handling soot/ash (OSHA wildfire cleanup). Save all receipts for emergency work—insurers typically reimburse reasonable mitigation costs (NAIC disaster claims).
Read: Homeowners Insurance Buyer’s Guide
Document the Damage and All Losses
Before the adjuster arrives, make a room‑by‑room list of structural and systems damage (home, garage, sheds, pool equipment). Note cracks, roof impacts, soot and odor spread, and have a qualified professional evaluate electrical, gas, and HVAC safety. For fire and smoke cleanup, the current industry standard of care is the ANSI/IICRC S700‑2024—ask prospective restoration firms whether they follow it for inspection, containment, cleaning, deodorization, and HVAC considerations (ANSI/IICRC S700‑2024). Insurers generally expect thorough documentation and may cover reasonable inspections necessary to scope the loss (NAIC disaster claims).
Look beyond the burn area. Water, smoke, and soot can migrate into attics, crawlspaces, closets, and HVAC registers; check all floors and enclosed spaces even if fire was localized. National data confirm evening peaks from cooking and winter concentration for heating incidents—patterns that help explain where residues collect and where to test for safety (USFA residential fires; NFPA heating).
Inventory all personal property losses. Ask how your policy settles contents (replacement cost vs. ACV) and note sublimits (e.g., jewelry, firearms). Provide the adjuster with an itemized list and any receipts/photos, and do not discard damaged items until inspection (NAIC homeowners). In declared wildfire disasters, some states require or encourage advance payments and offer simplified contents inventory options to ease documentation burdens (California DOI; Colorado DOI).
Capture extensive photo/video evidence and keep a claim diary (dates, who you spoke with, what was decided). If records were destroyed, rebuild inventories from memory, emails, bank statements, and family photos. Timely communication and clear updates are strongly linked to better claim experiences (J.D. Power 2025).
Keep Detailed Records of Repair Estimates and Replacements
Obtain written, line‑item estimates from licensed, insured contractors. For fire and smoke restoration, prioritize firms trained to the current standard (ANSI/IICRC S700‑2024) and be sure scopes cover inspection, containment, cleaning, deodorization, moisture control, contents handling, and HVAC evaluation (ANSI/IICRC S700‑2024). Detailed bids speed adjuster comparisons and help prevent scope gaps (NAIC disaster claims).
Avoid large upfront payments and pressure tactics. Use milestone‑based payments tied to delivered materials or passed inspections; verify licensing and insurance; and collect lien waivers from the general contractor, subs, and suppliers with each draw to protect against mechanics’ liens (FTC; FEMA—hiring after a disaster; BBB; Illinois AG—lien waivers). In California, home‑improvement down payments are capped at the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract price (CA Contractors State License Board).
Make only necessary temporary repairs until the adjuster assesses the loss, and keep receipts. Know your Coverage A–D limits and how special deductibles apply; don’t overspend on temporary fixes if it reduces funds for permanent work (NAIC homeowners; Insurance Information Institute).
For replacements, keep all receipts and model/serial numbers. Many policies pay contents at ACV first and release recoverable depreciation after proof of replacement within the time allowed. Ask your insurer about deadlines and whether increased ALE, ordinance‑or‑law, or extended/guaranteed replacement cost endorsements can support rebuilding decisions (NAIC; III).
Keep a Copy of All Records for Yourself
Maintain your own complete set of documentation: estimates, invoices, photos/videos, adjuster communications, permits/inspection approvals, mitigation receipts, and lien waivers. Record names, titles, and phone numbers for everyone involved. In declared wildfire disasters, some states require advance payments, allow simplified inventories, extend ALE to at least 24 months, and provide more time to collect full replacement‑cost benefits—review your state’s current rules (California DOI; Colorado DOI).
Keep records long after repairs. Recent FEMA reforms aim to deliver quicker initial displacement and serious‑needs assistance during federally declared disasters, reducing paperwork burdens (FEMA/White House 2024 reforms). After wildfires, monitor price‑gouging protections (e.g., California generally caps certain emergency price increases at 10%) and pursue property‑tax disaster relief or base‑year value transfers where available (CA Attorney General; CA Board of Equalization). If your mortgage is affected, notify your servicer promptly—regulators expect disaster forbearance and loss‑mitigation options, and you’ll need to coordinate claim checks and repairs (CFPB).
Too Long, Didn’t Read?
Report the loss promptly; confirm coverages, ALE, and any wildfire/wind/hail deductibles; ask about roof ACV terms and code‑upgrade coverage (NAIC; III). Mitigate and document: tarp and board as needed, dry wet areas within 24–48 hours (CDC), keep HVAC off until inspected and use HEPA/MERV‑13 filtration (EPA), and avoid ozone machines (EPA). Document damage with photos/video and an itemized contents list; secure detailed written estimates from licensed, insured contractors following ANSI/IICRC S700‑2024; use milestone payments and collect lien waivers (IICRC S700‑2024; FTC). In wildfire‑exposed areas, expect more climate‑driven fire weather and leverage modern prevention: working smoke alarms (NFPA), ember‑resistant home upgrades (IBHS), and new early‑detection tools like AI camera networks and satellite fire products (ALERTCalifornia AI; NASA FIRMS; NOAA GOES‑R).
