IBHS News Releases

California residents whose homes have been lost or damaged in the wildfires will want to consider the following seven steps toward recovery, outlined by the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Protect yourself.  Always be careful when entering a damaged building.  If the building looks unstable, do not enter.  Report downed power lines or gas leaks.  Do not turn electricity on until you know it is safe to do so.  Protect yourself from breathing lingering smoke or ash.

Report the loss as soon as possible.  Contact your insurance agent or insurer as soon as you can.  Provide a general description of the damage and have your policy number handy if possible.  Write down the adjuster’s name, phone number and work schedule as soon as you have them.

Protect your property.  Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage.  This could mean boarding up windows and salvaging undamaged items.  Your insurance company can tell you what they will pay for regarding protection.

Prepare a list.  If possible, keep damaged items or portions of them until the claim adjuster has visited your home, and consider photographing or videotaping the damage to document your claim.  Prepare a list of damaged or lost items for your adjuster.

Keep receipts.  If you need to relocate, keep records and receipts for all additional expenses.  Most insurance policies cover emergency living arrangements.

Return claim forms.  After your insurance company has been notified of your claim, it must send you the necessary claim forms within a certain number of days (time period varies by state).  Fill out and return the forms as soon as possible or as required by your insurer.  If you do not understand the process, be sure to ask questions and write down the explanation.

Consider where and how to rebuild.   If it’s reasonable to do so, consider an area with lower fire risk.  Features would include limited wildland, good access for fire trucks and adequate fire hydrants, and flat terrain (no grades greater than 9%).  When you’re ready to rebuild, ask the contractor to use materials and features that would increase the home’s wildfire-resistance. 

This information was taken from the IBHS brochure, You Can Go Home Again.   For a free single copy, call toll free 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).  For more information, visit the Publications section of this web site. 

IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.