A house fire is one of the most traumatic events a homeowner can face. While nothing can undo the emotional shock, taking the right steps in the first hours and days will protect your family, preserve your insurance claim, and speed up recovery. Having the right policy in place before disaster strikes makes all the difference—that’s why many Canadian homeowners find the right home insurance protection at Leibel Insurance and similar trusted brokers who ensure coverage matches real-life risks.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do—minute by minute, day by day—when the worst happens.
Ensure Safety First: Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Get everyone out and stay out. Never re-enter a burning or smoke-filled building.
- Account for all family members and pets.
- Treat burns, smoke inhalation, or injuries immediately—call 911 even if injuries seem minor.
- Move to a safe location (neighbour, relative, or hotel) and let loved ones know you’re safe.
Contact Emergency Services and Fire Department
- Call 911 as soon as you’re safely outside (or ask someone to call for you).
- Stay on scene until firefighters declare the building safe or give permission to leave.
- Ask the fire department for a copy of the official fire report (sometimes called Form 51 in Ontario or the provincial equivalent)—your insurer will need it.
Document the Damage: Photos and Inventory
- Once firefighters say it’s safe, take extensive photos and videos of everything: exterior, every room, ceiling damage, soot, water damage from hoses, and destroyed belongings.
- Start a detailed inventory right away (use a notebook or your phone). List items room-by-room: furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, etc.
- Don’t throw anything away until the adjuster sees or photographs it.
Notify Your Home Insurance Provider Immediately
- Call your insurer or broker the same day (most have 24/7 claims lines).
- Provide basic details: policy number, date/time of fire, and fire department attendance.
- Ask for your claim number and the name/phone/email of your assigned adjuster.
- Most policies require you to report a loss “as soon as practicable”—delaying can jeopardize coverage.
Secure Your Property to Prevent Further Damage
You have a legal “duty to mitigate” loss:
- Board up broken windows and doors.
- Cover holes in the roof with tarps (many fire departments do temporary boarding for free).
- Turn off water if pipes burst.
- Keep receipts—your policy usually reimburses reasonable emergency expenses.
Understand What Your Policy Covers
Standard Canadian home policies typically pay for:
- Dwelling (structure) repairs or rebuild
- Personal property (contents) on replacement-cost basis (if you have that endorsement)
- Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use—hotel, meals, laundry, pet boarding, etc.
- Debris removal and fire-department service charges
Common optional coverages you’ll be glad you have:
- Sewer backup (from water used to fight the fire)
- Overland flood (if combined with fire)
- Guaranteed Replacement Cost (pays to rebuild even if costs exceed policy limit)
Filing a House Fire Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step
- Adjuster contacts you within 24–48 hours.
- Adjuster visits site (walk through with them and point out damage).
- Submit your detailed contents inventory (many insurers provide Excel templates).
- Receive advance payment for ALE and immediate needs (often within days).
- Get written repair estimates from licensed contractors.
- Insurer issues payments (usually in stages: advance → contents → structural repairs).
Working with Contractors and Restoration Services
- Your insurer will likely recommend “preferred vendors” who bill the insurer directly—this speeds things up.
- You are always free to choose your own licensed, insured contractor.
- Beware of “contractors” who show up uninvited promising to “deal with the insurance company for you”—this is frequently a scam in Canada.
- Get everything in writing and never pay large upfront deposits.
Tracking Expenses and Temporary Living Costs
- Save every receipt: hotel, restaurant meals above normal grocery costs, mileage, clothing, toiletries, pet boarding, storage units, etc.
- Most policies pay ALE for the “shortest time required to repair or replace” (often 12–24 months).
- Some insurers provide a debit card loaded with an advance; others reimburse monthly.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery and Claim Process
- Be honest and cooperative—claims fraud is rare but heavily prosecuted.
- Keep a claim journal: dates, names, what was discussed.
- Respond quickly to requests for documents or signatures.
- If the claim is large or complex, consider hiring a public adjuster (they take 10–15% of the settlement but often recover more).
- Ask about “code upgrade” coverage—many policies pay extra to bring an older home up to current building codes.
- Once settled, review your policy limits—many people increase coverage after a fire.
Recovering from a house fire is exhausting, but the insurance process works when you follow these steps in order. Prioritize safety, document everything, and let your policy do what you’ve been paying for—help put your life back together. You’re not alone: your adjuster, broker, and restoration professionals have handled hundreds of fires just like yours.
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