Secure Temporary Housing After Fire or Flood

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Photograph all damaged property and areas before cleanup to support your claim.
• Obtain a written habitability notice from your landlord to justify your relocation.
• Contact your renters insurer within 24 hours to get a claim number and adjuster.
• Request written confirmation of covered housing costs, pets, and utilities.
• Save all hotel, meal, laundry, and transport receipts; ensure each is itemized and dated.
• Request a written per diem if your insurer cannot pay hotels directly.
• Document all communications with landlord and insurer, noting names, dates, and summaries.
• Request written confirmation from your insurer that rent is paused or covered.
• Check if your policy covers storage fees and get pre-approval before renting a unit.
• Ask if your insurer requires specific vendors or placements for covered housing.
• Submit a written request to your landlord for prorated rent or abatement.
• Follow up weekly with insurer and landlord for claim updates, logging all contacts.