What to do after a house fire?
It is risky to live without insurance. So when it comes time to figure out what to do after a house fire with no insurance, you might feel like you’re at a loss.
Although you will not be able file a claim, you can still get assistance and compensation. With the right information, you can restore your life to normal.
You can’t get your possessions repaired if you don’t have any insurance. There are other options that you can take to lessen the pain.
These are just a few of the options that you have to get the peace of mind that you want. It can be difficult to get help for a house fire that has not been insured. But, with our guidance, you can make your life easier.
Safety is always first
First, make sure everyone is OK.
You should have an inspection completed before you attempt to repair the damage to your house. This will make sure that your home is safe.
Follow the correct steps to restore and repair your home. Make sure you know what to look out for so that inspectors and repairmen don’t miss anything.
No matter if you have insurance or not, it is important to ensure your home is safe before you allow anyone to enter. It can be costly but essential for your safety and life.
Burns are something you should treat immediately. Keep all documentation, photos, and other evidence. They might be necessary if you are going to sue someone for negligence.
After you have taken care of your safety and health, you can determine your options.
Did Someone else cause the fire?
You may be able to sue someone if the fire was caused by negligence.
This case was from 2012. A family was renting a house when it caught fire. The renter didn’t have renter insurance. However, the fire department found that the property had no functioning smoke detectors. The Ontario Fire Code imposes a fine on the landlord for failing to install working smoke detectors.
Depending on your particular situation, another person might be responsible for the fire. A landlord or homeowner can be held liable for the care they provide to tenants or their guests under premises liability.
An unintentional tort claim is filed when someone is negligent and causes an accident. Although it is not intentional, someone must be held responsible. Talk to a personal injury lawyer if you believe the fire was caused by someone else.
If you believe someone intentionally set the fire, then you are looking at a different section of law. They can be held criminally responsible.
Check if you are eligible for programs, charities, or benefits
Without insurance, you might lose everything and have no chance of getting it back. It’s crucial to know where to turn when that happens.
Some disaster relief programs are offered by the Canadian Red Cross. There might be some assistance available. They may have programs that aren’t available in your locality, but they can provide a lot of help to you get through this difficult time.
If you are unable to find somewhere else to stay, local shelters can provide emergency accommodation. Although they are temporary, you should always inquire if you can obtain an extension.
Freecycle is an organization that brings together people from all over the globe who are interested in recycling used items. Check to see if there are any benefits programs that might be available for you.
How to Avoid a Disaster
It might seem like insurance is an unnecessary expense that you won’t need. We realize the importance of insurance when accidents and disasters happen.
Make sure that your policies are current. A couple who suffered during the Fort McMurray wildfires of 2016 learned that the hard way. They called their insurance company to file a claim after they evacuated their home. However, they were informed that they hadn’t renewed their policy in time and weren’t covered.
Local community organizations and groups rallied to support the couple and their son.
Nicholas Adams, who was renting an apartment in Ottawa, felt a similar situation when the apartment he was renting caught fire. He didn’t have renter’s insurance.
Although his landlord had property insurance, his personal possessions were not covered as he did not have his own policy. Adam and other tenants received assistance from the community, just like the Fort McMurray couple.
Some people don’t have the luxury of having community support.
Make sure you have adequate coverage and that your insurance policy is current. When you’re injured in a house fire, talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer for the right advice.
Conte & Associates can help you get your life back on track
Do you find this scenario all too familiar? Are you a victim of a fire in your home that left no insurance?
Conte & Associates can assist you if your house caught fire because of someone else’s negligence. We’ll make sure you get what you deserve.
We are available to discuss your case in our Whitby or Vaughan offices.
Your life shouldn’t be ruined by someone else’s negligence. We work with Ontario’s top medical professionals and experts to help you build a strong case if you have suffered burns or injuries from the fire.
