As the smoke began to clear from some parts of Southern California on Friday, the number of large fires became more visible. As much 10,000 houses and other structures have been on fire since Tuesday, leaving behind a massive wreckage that engulfed entire neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area.

If your home has been destroyed or damaged by fire, here’s what you need to know about the insurance claims process, your rights as a homeowner and how to prepare for the next one. will happen.

What do I do if my house is damaged or destroyed?

Once you and your family are safe and the damage to your home has been assessed, you should call your insurance company to begin the claim process. Because that process can take months, it’s important to contact the company as soon as possible.

If your home is completely destroyed and a state of emergency is declared, your insurance company required by law to issue a minimum payment up front, even if an adjuster has not seen your property. This includes one-third of the replacement value of your personal belongings and a minimum of four months’ rent for the local area.

Carefully review your homeowners or renters insurance policy, including your limits. Start documenting and creating a paper trail to support your claims process. If you have photos of your property and vehicles before the fire, you can use them to help fill out your home inventory if you haven’t submitted yet.

After checking if your home is habitable, documenting the damage, and starting the insurance claim process, contact your lender or homeowner about next steps.

Overwhelmed? California residents can find resources and a help hotline for file a wildfire insurance claim here.

Do insurance policies cover fire damage?

Depending on your policy, where you live, and the coverage you pay for, your homeowners (or renters) insurance may or may not cover damage to your home or belongings due to a wildfire.

Generally, fire is a “covered disaster” to many home owner insurance policies, unless your policy specifically details an exception for wildfires or if you are dropped from or denied coverage.

In some wildfire-prone areas, home insurance policies have a higher price tag or require a different deductible for wildfire claims. If you live in a home that is considered high risk where you cannot get traditional home insurance, the PATAAS (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plan may provide basic fire insurance.

How do I file a claim for wildfire damage?

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when a natural disaster destroys your life. Here’s what homeowners can do after a partial or total loss due to a wildfire.

Step 1: Call your home insurance company

Once you’ve reached safety, start the claim process to receive an initial payment to cover your living expenses for a few months. When planning for the long term, be sure to factor in your deductible.

Step 2: Inventory the damage

If you can, photograph and detail the damage to your home, vehicles and personal belongings. If you have not completed a home inventory for insurance purposes, work with a trusted friend or family member to detail and list appliances, furniture, electronics, decorations and other equipment along with the brand name and estimated purchase price.

Step 3: Review your policy carefully

Review your home insurance or renters policy, its coverage limits and what benefits you are entitled to for personal property and living expenses. Insurance companies are required to provide this information to you upon request.

A typical home owner insurance policy includes coverage for rebuilding or replacing the structure of your home and detached structures such as garages, as well as coverage up to a limit for personal items inside the home. Most policies also offer liability protection and coverage for additional living expenses (ALE).

Step 4: Keep your receipts

Pay close attention to your ALE limits to cover hotel or rental fees, restaurant meals and other expenses you may incur while your home is being renovated or rebuilt. If your home is destroyed and needs to be rebuilt, you could be looking at at least a year or more of additional living expenses.

Step 5: Look for fraud

During a major disaster, it can be easy to get caught up in rumors or fall scams. Your neighbor’s insurance policy or company may be different, so work with your insurance company only, as Janet Ruiza California-based representative for the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute. Fraud is common. “Unlicensed contractors, unlicensed public adjusters often prey on those who have lost,” said Ruiz.

Step 6: Document everything

Start a claims folder where you can keep notes, records and details about every interaction you have with your insurance company, mortgage company and more. The acquisition process can be lengthy, and you may need to obtain multiple bids and work directly with contractors.

Step 7: Don’t accept an unfair offer

Working with your claims adjuster is a negotiation process. If the initial settlement offer does not fully account for the cost of repair or reconstruction, you can issue a demand letter seeking additional payments that are more in line with your coverage limits and the value of your home.

“Often homeowners are on the defensive or don’t ask enough questions of the claim adjuster. If you don’t get answers, ask for a supervisor,” said Ruiz.

Step 8: Secure professional help if needed

If you’re not sure if you’re being treated fairly by your home insurance company, many states provide resources to help with the claims process. You may also seek mediation or engage an attorney as a last resort to resolve a disputed claim.

What if my insurer dropped my coverage before the wildfire?

Most states require insurers to notify homeowners of a policy cancellation months before the termination date. Ruiz said that if you are not covered, it is important to find a policy with another insurance company and that the California FAIR plan will take all the insurable houses.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a mandatory one-year moratorium of non-renewals and cancellations of insurance. Those in certain ZIP codes affected by the Southern California wildfires cannot cancel their homeowner’s policies for a year, even if they have suffered a loss.

If the fire is part of a federally declared disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide some support for insured and uninsured homeowners. California homeowners and others affected by the Los Angeles fires can file for FEMA assistance here.

Do I have to pay my mortgage after fire damage?

Even if your home is a total loss or deemed uninhabitable, you are still on the hook for the remainder of your loan. Contact your lender immediately to see if you qualify for forbearance or a payment delay while your claim is processed.

Some lenders may be willing to delay payments for three months to a year pending insurance payout. This is important to protect your credit score, as late or missed mortgage payments can be reported as delinquent and affect your credit rating.

How can I protect my home from future wildfires?

As wildfires become more prevalent in every part of the country, many people are taking steps to protect their homes. Some states, like CaliforniaThere are federal, state and local programs to help homeowners reduce fire risk by retrofitting and hardening their property to defend against fires.

Home insurance companies may also offer incentives for taking certain steps, such as installing sprinklers, creating a defensible perimeter on your property and upgrading your home with non-combustible materials.