Where do we live after a house fire?
Most policies have ALE (Additional Living Expenses) coverage, which would pay for your food and lodging if needed.
Steps to take
- You are responsible to board up and secure your property ASAP.
- If you can’t stay with friends or family then find a reasonably priced hotel that is large enough for you and your family, pets included.
- The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are 2 great sources for some immediate help.
- Any items that you take with you from the fire will possibly have a strong odor, place them in a plastic bag or they will make your car or hotel smell.
- Order out or go to reasonably priced restaurants.
- Keep all your receipts.
- Your adjuster maybe able to advance you some funds to help with your out of pocket expenses.
- Download our ALE (Inventory Loss Sheet) reimbursement form
- Enter in all the receipts and save them as well.
- Submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
- If the cleanup of your property will take more than a few days, your adjuster will help with finding you a rental home to live in.
- Insurance policies typically will pay like-for-like. Meaning if you have a 4-bedroom home, you should be able to rent a similar home while waiting for the repairs to be completed.
-
Have a local trusted real estate agent figure out what your property
should rent for and submit that to your insurance. They should allow you
the same amount to find a rental.
- Always verify with your adjuster before renting another place and get it in writing.