Did your Monday morning start out with a smoldering paper towel wrapped sausage biscuit in your microwave? Well, mine did in the chaos of the morning with a 2-year-old and two working parents. Thankfully it was just smoldering and not fully engulfed in flames.
My house definitely stinks to high heaven, but it really really could have been a whole lot worse. What if I decided there wasn’t enough time to go back inside to get the supposedly already cooked sausage biscuit? What if it was on fire? What would I have done? What would I have grabbed? These are all questions you don't want to think about or have time to think about in the middle of a fire, especially when every second counts, for the safety of your home and you.
If you don't have a fire extinguisher, buy one!
If you own one, check that expiration date and that it is still fully charged. Also be sure you know how to use it properly, how to take the safety off, and how far away to aim from the fire. Be sure you know all the different types of extinguishers and what each one is used for. To check out more on what type of fire extinguisher you have and which one you need for different types of fires, go here.
2. Make a list of what's important.
What has sentimental value that can’t be replaced with new? Do you own a safe? Is it fire proof? Put anything that you don't use on a regular basis and is valuable in the safe. Ie. Money, guns, social security cards, birth certificates, etc. If you don't own a safe, you may want to look at getting one or even a fireproof document bag. You can find these inexpensively here.
3. Take pictures of everything you have.
Open up drawers, cabinets, closets, attic, garage, even outdoor items, landscaping, vehicles, etc. Upload these pictures to a cloud-based system so if your phone or computer get damaged, you still have them. Pictures can get your claim processed immensely faster and its super easy to do and only takes a few minutes. If you don't have the pictures, you are stuck making your own list of everything you own and noting the condition. Ultimately, if you don't have pictures or a list of your items before a disaster happens, you will forget many items and leave money on the table that you are rightfully owed.
4. Call your insurance agent.
Be sure to check what is covered under your homeowner's policy. Nothing is worse than thinking you are covered, when you are not. Insurance can be super confusing too. Call your agent, check your coverage limits, and be sure you have enough coverage in each category. Also be sure to know your deductibles, so you can keep the necessary money in your savings account at all times. I always ask my agent, if this was your home, what limits would you use? This can definitely vary as every home is different, but it can give you an idea of what an expert insures for themselves. Ask if they think you need any additional coverage. They should go over all the other optional coverages as well.
A fire or other disaster claim can be an emotional and stressful time. Be sure you are prepared, to keep you, your family, and your home as safe as possible.
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