Published · Reviewed · M&T Adjusters
This article provides general educational information. It does not interpret any policy, provide legal or safety advice, or guarantee coverage, payment, or results. The applicable policy, endorsements, facts of the loss, and insurer process control each claim. For health, fire, electrical, structural, or contamination hazards, follow public-authority and qualified-professional instructions.
Enter only after authorities permit it
Do not re-enter because visible flames are gone. Follow fire-department, utility, building, structural, electrical, and air-quality restrictions. Obtain the incident number and preserve available official reports through the proper request process.
From a safe area, photograph elevations, roof, openings, firefighting access, visible water, debris, and restricted zones. Record the timeline without disturbing a possible origin area or speculating about cause.
- Keep responder and incident information.
- Do not cross restricted tape or postings.
- Use protective equipment only as directed.
- Tell the insurer if the property is not occupiable or secure.
Map the building by observed effect
Create a room map and classify direct heat or fire, smoke or soot, suppression water, openings, electrical or mechanical effects, and reference areas. Photograph room context first, then specific surfaces and contents.
Residue may move through openings or HVAC, but not every surface should be assumed equally affected. Qualified testing and cleaning trials should identify materials, methods, locations, and results.
- Key photographs to the room map.
- Include HVAC registers and pathways when relevant.
- Record cleaning test areas.
- Separate stabilization from final restoration.
Inventory contents without inventing details
Use group photographs and video first, then inventory furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, tools, art, documents, and specialty items. Number each item and link it to photographs. Record quantity, brand, model, serial, approximate age, and available proof of ownership.
Mark estimates as estimates. Prior home photographs, online receipts, card statements, manuals, warranties, and gift records can help. Keep private documents secure and redact identifying data from ordinary working copies.
- Track present, missing, cleaned, stored, or disposed status.
- Request pack-out and chain-of-custody lists.
- Photograph serial plates safely.
- Back up the inventory.
Track cleaning, storage, displacement, and payments
Keep vendor authorizations, tests, inventories, storage locations, cleaning attempts, disposal records, estimates, invoices, and proof of payment. Ask for written explanations of restore-versus-replace recommendations.
Nevada DOI advises keeping records of temporary lodging and related expenses when a home cannot be occupied. Separate ordinary spending from increased costs and review the policy language.
- Maintain a daily expense log.
- Keep hotel, meal, laundry, transport, storage, and pet receipts.
- Record movement of contents.
- Compare estimate lines with the room inventory.
Reconcile every pack-out and cleaning decision
Before contents leave the property, request a room-by-room pack-out list with item numbers, photographs, container or pallet identifiers, destination, and custodian. When vendors recommend cleaning, testing, storage, disposal, or replacement, ask them to identify the material, observed condition, method, test result, and reason in writing rather than using a broad category for an entire room.
At return, compare the delivery list with the original inventory and record missing, damaged, unresolved, or substituted items promptly. Keep vendor invoices separated by activity so cleaning, moving, storage, deodorization, testing, and disposal can be reviewed. Safety directions may require disposal before inspection; when that occurs, document the item and reason if safely possible. An organized chain of custody supports factual review but does not determine coverage or valuation.
- Do not sign a blank inventory acknowledgment.
- Photograph labels without exposing private data.
- Keep written notice of storage rates and access rules.
- Record the date and condition of every returned group.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers, without promises.
Can I enter once the fire department leaves?+
Only when the responsible authority permits access and subject to any continuing structural, electrical, utility, or contamination restrictions.
Should smoke-damaged contents be discarded immediately?+
Follow safety direction. Document before disposal when safe and preserve the inventory and disposal records.
Does odor alone prove an item must be replaced?+
No. Material, contamination, testing, cleaning feasibility, policy terms, and qualified evaluation may matter.
Official sources
Sources used for this guide.
- U.S. Fire Administration — After a Home Fire
- U.S. EPA — Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality
- Nevada Division of Insurance — File a Claim
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