FAQ – Wildfire: Returning Home
Returning home after a wildfire can feel overwhelming. Take your time, prioritize safety, and document the damage before beginning cleanup or repairs. Every loss and insurance policy is different, so contact your insurance company or agent when you have questions about your specific situation.
What steps should I take to return home safely after a wildfire?
Returning home can bring relief, but it’s important to take your time. Even if your home appears to have survived, there may be hidden hazards.
Before entering your home:
- Wait until local authorities have lifted evacuation orders and declared the area safe.
- Look for obvious structural damage before going inside.
- Watch for downed power lines, damaged utility equipment, or the smell of natural gas.
- If you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately and contact your utility company.
- Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, long sleeves, and an N95 mask when walking through ash or debris.
- Take photos and videos of all visible damage before moving or cleaning anything.
- Document each room from multiple angles, along with damaged personal belongings.
- When safe, make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage, such as covering a damaged roof or boarding broken windows.
- Avoid permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage or advises you to proceed.
If your home has heavy smoke, soot, water, or structural damage, contact your insurance company or agent before beginning significant cleanup. The insurance company may want to inspect the damage first, and professional restoration may be recommended.
Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to do everything in one day. Take your time, prioritize safety, and ask for help when you need it.
Should I start cleaning or repairing my home?
You should take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage when it is safe to do so. This may include covering a damaged roof, boarding broken windows, or drying standing water.
However:
- Photograph everything first.
- Save damaged items whenever possible.
- Don’t begin permanent repairs or dispose of damaged property until your insurance company has inspected the loss or tells you it’s okay.
Always save receipts for emergency repairs and mitigation work.
What should I document before cleaning up?
The more documentation you have, the smoother the claims process often becomes.
Before beginning cleanup:
- Photograph every room from multiple angles.
- Take close-up photos of damaged items.
- Record a video while walking through your home.
- Make a list of damaged belongings by room.
- Save receipts for emergency purchases and temporary repairs.
- Keep copies of contractor estimates and invoices.
If your home was a total loss, don’t worry if you can’t remember every possession immediately. Many homeowners continue adding to their personal property inventory over several weeks.
Does homeowners' insurance cover debris removal?
Often, yes. Most homeowners' policies include debris removal following a covered loss, although coverage and limits vary by policy.
Before beginning cleanup, take photos and videos of all damage and damaged belongings. Keep receipts for emergency expenses, temporary repairs, and cleanup costs.
When possible, avoid disposing of damaged property until your insurance company or adjuster has had an opportunity to inspect it or advises you to do so. If items must be discarded for health or safety reasons, document them thoroughly with photos and keep a detailed list.
Wear appropriate protective equipment, including gloves, sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and an N95 mask when handling ash or debris. Use caution around damaged structures, utilities, and hazardous materials.
My landscaping, trees, or fences were damaged. Are they covered?
Often.
Coverage may be available for:
- Trees
- Shrubs
- Landscaping
- Fences
- Other outdoor structures
These items typically have separate coverage limits that are lower than your home’s dwelling coverage. Your insurance company will determine coverage under the terms of your policy.
What if firefighters damaged my home while protecting it?
Damage caused while firefighters are protecting your property is generally covered.
This may include damage from:
- Fire retardant
- Firefighting foam
- Water
- Forced entry
- Other reasonable efforts to stop the fire
Before filing a claim, remember that most homeowners policies have a deductible. For smaller losses, consider getting an estimate so you can better understand the scope and cost of the damage.
How do I choose a contractor after a wildfire?
Unfortunately, disasters often attract unlicensed or dishonest contractors.
Before hiring anyone:
- Verify they are licensed and insured.
- Ask for local references.
- Obtain a written estimate.
- Read the contract carefully before signing.
- Be cautious of contractors demanding large upfront payments.
- Never feel pressured to make an immediate decision.
- Be wary of anyone offering to guarantee insurance payments.
If your insurance company recommends contractors through a preferred vendor program, you are generally free to consider other qualified contractors as well.
Take your time, ask questions, and choose a contractor you trust.
Working With Restoration Companies
When should I call a restoration company?
If your home has experienced smoke, soot, water, or fire damage, it may be appropriate to contact a professional restoration company as soon as possible.
Restoration companies can assist with services such as:
- Smoke and soot cleanup
- Odor removal
- Water extraction and drying
- Emergency board-up or roof tarping
- Content cleaning and pack-out
- Preventing additional damage to your home
Following a major wildfire, reputable restoration companies often experience significant demand, so response times may be longer than normal.
Before authorizing significant work:
- Request a written estimate.
- Contact your insurance company or adjuster.
- Ask whether the insurance company would like to inspect the damage first.
- Understand which work is emergency mitigation and which work is a permanent repair.
- Ask whether any proposed services may not be covered by insurance.
Most homeowners policies have a deductible. For smaller losses, obtaining an estimate can help you compare the anticipated cost of the work with your deductible before deciding whether filing a claim makes sense for your situation.
Looking for a restoration company? We’re happy to provide referrals to reputable local companies we’ve worked with. You’re always free to choose any qualified contractor you’d like.
Should I get an estimate first?
For smaller losses, obtaining an estimate can be very helpful.
Understanding the estimated cost of repairs, together with your policy deductible, can help you make an informed decision about whether filing a claim makes sense for your situation.
Every claim and policy is different. Your insurance agent can help you understand your policy, while your insurance company will determine coverage under its terms.
Emergency steps needed to prevent additional damage should not necessarily be delayed while waiting for a complete estimate. Document the damage, keep receipts, and contact your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible.
What questions should I ask a restoration company?
Before hiring a restoration company, consider asking:
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you have experience with wildfire smoke damage?
- Can you provide local references?
- Will you provide a written estimate?
- What work needs to be completed immediately, and what can wait?
- Will you document the damage for the insurance company?
- How long do you expect the work to take?
- Are there any services that may not be covered by insurance?
- Who is responsible for payment if insurance does not cover the entire bill?
- Will I receive a copy of everything I sign?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A reputable company should be willing to explain its process and address your concerns.
How can I avoid contractor scams?
Be cautious if someone:
- Shows up unsolicited at your home.
- Pressures you to sign a contract immediately.
- Demands a large upfront payment.
- Tells you they can “waive your deductible.”
- Asks you to sign over your insurance benefits without clearly explaining what it means.
- Refuses to provide proof of licensing or insurance.
- Makes guarantees about what your insurance company will cover.
- Will not provide a written estimate or contract.
Take your time, compare companies, check references, and never feel pressured to make a decision on the spot.
Why is preventing further damage important?
Most homeowners' policies require you to take reasonable steps to protect your property from additional damage after a covered loss.
Examples may include:
- Covering a damaged roof with a tarp
- Boarding broken windows
- Drying standing water
- Removing wet materials that could lead to mold
These temporary measures can help reduce additional damage while your claim is being evaluated.
Be sure to:
- Photograph the damage before beginning cleanup whenever possible.
- Save receipts for emergency repairs and mitigation.
- Keep damaged items until your insurance company advises otherwise.
- Avoid making permanent repairs before the damage has been inspected or you have been told to proceed.
Can I choose my own restoration company?
Yes. Your insurance company may recommend companies through a preferred-vendor program, but in most cases, you are free to choose any qualified restoration company you’d like.
If you’re looking for a restoration company, we’re happy to share the names of reputable local companies we’ve worked with over the years. You’re always free to choose the company that is the best fit for your situation.
Still Have Questions?
Every wildfire loss is different, and so is every insurance policy.
If you’re an NTI client and have questions about your coverage or claim, we’re here to help.
If you’re not an NTI client, we hope this information has been helpful as you navigate the recovery process.
If there’s a question you’d like us to answer in a future FAQ, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: info@northtowninsurance.com
Call or text: (509) 483-3030
Disclaimer: This information provides a general overview intended to bring awareness to insurance coverage, options, and policy considerations. Coverage varies by insurance company, policy, and state. Your insurance company will make all claim and coverage decisions under the terms of your policy. Please review your policy and contact your insurance company or agent for information specific to your situation.