What to Do After a Wildfire Loss: A Step-by-Step Guide
Experiencing a total loss in a wildfire is overwhelming, both emotionally and physically. While the first step is allowing yourself time to grieve, it’s also important to understand the steps needed to begin recovery, protect your finances, and start rebuilding.
Wildfire recovery is especially important for homeowners in Colorado, where fire seasons can lead to significant
property loss.
When it comes to total loss in a wildfire, the first thing you need to do is grieve. It’s hard to see everything that you once had gone. Sure, people will say that you, your family, and your pets got out, but there are still a lot of memories in a space and belongings.
Once you’ve grieved, you can get to work on sifting through the ash. There may be salvageable items, but this is also a way to see just how much damage has happened. Make sure you dress appropriately for this with long sleeves and heavy-duty footwear.
Document Everything First
You’ll need to make sure you have an insurance adjustor come in with you for this initial walkthrough. If your company can’t send one out, they will ask for photos and videos. Make sure you get everything. Even if you think it sounds impossible for the damage to be anything other than the fire, insurance companies will find a way not to play out.
You’ll also need to call your mortgage company to declare the loss. You’ll still have a mortgage to pay on the home, and the insurance company will need to pay them the main part of the money.
Call your county assessor as well. You may be able to get a reduction on your property taxes due to the loss. The last thing you want is for your home to be classes as vacant, as this increases the property taxes for a lot of people. It’s vacant because it has to be!
File a FEMA Claim
If this was a federal disaster, you’ll need to file a FEMA claim. This needs to be done as soon as possible to make sure you get all the contractors out.
Look into all the tax benefits that you can gain from all this as well. You may qualify for special loans, tax breaks, and more, especially if you also ran a business out of your home.
Change Your Mailing Address
You’ll need to change your address for your mail. This could be a temporary PO box, or it could be the address of a family member. You can often get a redirect via the USPS to help capture all mail that comes your way, but this is usually only for a year or so. The repair work could take much more time, so work through the list of companies that you’ll need to contact directly.
Don’t forget to cancel some of your payments. Call your internet, newspaper, and utility companies to let them know you’re moving. You may not be taking those services with you.
You may find that you have to pay for everything out of pocket and then put in claims to your insurance company. Talk to your credit card companies and your bank to see if you can get help for this, especially if you don’t usually spend a lot and trigger fraud alerts!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do first after a wildfire loss?
Take time to process the loss, then begin documenting damage and contacting your insurance provider.
Do you need an insurance adjuster after a wildfire?
Yes, an adjuster will assess the damage and help determine your claim amount.
Can FEMA help after a wildfire?
If the wildfire is declared a federal disaster, FEMA may provide financial assistance and support.
Do you still have to pay your mortgage after a wildfire?
Yes, mortgage payments typically continue, but insurance payouts may help cover the loss.
How do you handle mail after losing your home?
Set up mail forwarding through USPS or use a temporary address to receive important documents.
Recovering from a wildfire is a difficult process, but taking the right steps early can help you regain control and begin rebuilding. Preparing your property ahead of time can reduce the risk of future loss. Colorado Mastication provides professional land clearing and wildfire mitigation services to help protect your property before disaster strikes. Call (719) 400-9104 or email office@coloradomastication.com to learn how you can better prepare for wildfire season.