Hour 0–2: Safety
- Don't re-enter until the fire department clears it
- Account for every household member and pet
- Check for smoke inhalation
- Leave utilities off until the fire marshal releases the property
Hour 2–24: First calls
Insurance carrier. Report the fire. Get a claim number. Document the call. Notice must be given within 1 year (Fla. Stat. 627.70132); earlier is always better.
Fire department. Request the incident report as soon as available: it documents cause and suppression actions.
Red Cross / Salvation Army. Immediate shelter, meals, essentials.
Mortgage company. If mortgaged, the loan servicer often becomes a co-payee on claim checks.
Hour 24–72: Documentation and mitigation
Document before cleanup
- Photograph every damaged area (wide, medium, close-up)
- Video walk-through with narration
- Contents: photograph even partially destroyed items
- Don't throw anything away yet
Retain a licensed mitigation contractor
Pick licensed and insured. Don't sign an Assignment of Benefits. Pay the contractor from the settlement: don't transfer claim rights.
Track ALE expenses
Save every receipt: hotel, meals, clothing, transportation, pet boarding, laundry.
Day 3–7: Engage representation
A Florida public adjuster called at day 3 is standard for significant fire claims. The first carrier inspection will happen within days: having representation before that inspection changes outcomes.
What NOT to do in the first week
- Don't throw away damaged items
- Don't sign a release or proof of loss immediately
- Don't sign a restoration contractor's AOB
- Don't give a recorded statement without preparing
- Don't accept a first settlement offer
- Don't start permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects