After the Fire: What Homeowners Should Do in the First 24 Hours

Mercury Insurance outlines six important steps to protect your family, document damage and begin the recovery process

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The first 24 hours after a house fire can be overwhelming, leaving homeowners facing urgent decisions about their safety, belongings and next steps. Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is helping homeowners navigate those critical first hours with practical guidance on protecting their property, documenting losses and beginning the insurance claims process.

Whether a fire causes limited damage to one room or forces a family from its home, knowing what to do next can help prevent additional losses and make the recovery process more manageable.

"A house fire can turn someone's life upside down in a matter of minutes, and most homeowners have never had to navigate anything like it," said Bonnie Lee, Vice President, Property Claims at Mercury Insurance. "The good news is that you don't need to have every answer immediately. Focusing on a few important steps can help protect your family, preserve important information and get the recovery process moving."

Mercury recommends homeowners prioritize the following actions during the first 24 hours after a fire.

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe Before Thinking About the Damage

Returning home to assess the damage may feel urgent, but homeowners should never enter a fire-damaged structure until emergency officials have confirmed it is safe.

Fire can compromise floors, walls, ceilings and electrical systems, even when damage is not immediately visible. Smoke, soot and contaminated water can also create hazards long after firefighters have extinguished the flames.

If the home is unsafe or uninhabitable, find a secure place for family members and pets to stay. Do not attempt to retrieve belongings from an unstable structure.

Contact Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible

Homeowners do not need a complete inventory of damaged belongings or a repair estimate before reporting a fire.

Contacting the insurance company promptly allows the claims process to begin and provides an opportunity to discuss immediate needs, including temporary housing and steps to prevent further damage.

Be prepared to share basic information, including the property address, approximate time of the fire, a description of the damage and a reliable contact number.

"One misconception is that homeowners need to know exactly what was lost before they can file a claim," Lee said. "That information can be developed as the process moves forward. The important thing is to make contact early so your claims representative can explain what happens next."

Document the Damage, but Don't Start Cleaning Up

Once authorities have cleared the property for safe access, photograph or record video of visible damage to the structure and personal belongings.

Capture wide views of affected rooms along with closer images of damaged furniture, appliances, electronics and other possessions. Homeowners should also begin a written inventory of items that were damaged or destroyed.

Avoid throwing away damaged belongings or beginning extensive cleanup before discussing the next steps with the claims representative. Items that appear beyond repair may still provide important information for evaluating the loss.

Protect the Property From Additional Damage

A fire can leave a home exposed to rain, wind, theft or additional deterioration. Once the property is safe to access, reasonable temporary measures may help prevent the situation from getting worse.

Depending on the damage, those measures could include boarding up broken windows, securing openings or arranging for a qualified professional to cover a damaged roof.

Homeowners should coordinate significant emergency work with their insurance representative whenever possible, avoid permanent repairs until the damage has been evaluated and save receipts for necessary protective measures.

Keep Receipts for Temporary Housing and Essential Purchases

A home does not have to be completely destroyed to become temporarily uninhabitable. Smoke contamination, damaged utilities or unsafe living conditions may require residents to stay elsewhere while repairs are completed.

Many homeowners insurance policies include additional living expenses coverage, which may help pay for reasonable increases in living costs when a covered loss makes the home uninhabitable. Coverage depends on the policy's terms, conditions and limits.

Keep itemized receipts for hotel stays, meals and other necessary expenses that increase your cost of living. Ask the claims representative which costs may qualify and whether assistance is available for immediate needs.

Understand What Happens Next and Keep a Record

The first day after a fire is generally the beginning of the claims process, not the point when every decision must be made.

A claims representative can explain the next steps, which may include inspecting the damage, reviewing available coverage, documenting personal property losses and discussing repairs or rebuilding.

Homeowners should maintain a simple record of conversations, claim information, appointments, receipts and important documents. Keeping everything in one place can make follow-up conversations easier as the recovery progresses.

"Recovery from a fire takes time, and homeowners shouldn't feel pressured to solve everything in the first day," Lee said. "Our goal is to help customers understand the process, know what information matters and feel supported as they begin putting their lives back together."

Recovery Starts With the Right First Steps

While no two fires or insurance claims are exactly alike, prioritizing safety, communicating with the insurer and keeping accurate records can help homeowners avoid unnecessary complications.

Mercury policyholders can report property claims 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling (800) 503-3724 or visiting Mercury's claims website.

For information about fire prevention and claims, visit the Mercury Insurance Resource Center.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Media interested in receiving updates from Mercury can learn more at the Mercury Newsroom.

SOURCE Mercury Insurance