Your home was damaged. Here's what to do with everything inside it.

Plain-English help after a fire, flood or burst pipe, from people who pack out, clean and store damaged homes for a living.

Start with the first 48 hours

The first 48 hours

General guidance, not legal or insurance advice. Always check your own policy.

  1. Stay safeDon't go back in until the fire department or a professional says the building is safe.
  2. Call your insurerGet a claim number and your adjuster's name. Write both down.
  3. Photograph everythingEvery room, every angle, before anything is moved, cleaned or thrown out.
  4. Don't throw things awayDamaged items are proof. Keep them until your adjuster has seen them.
New guide

What is a "contents packout," and do you need one?

After a fire or flood, a packout crew inventories everything in your home, photographs it, packs it, and moves it to a secure warehouse. There it gets cleaned, deodorized, or listed as a loss for your claim.

  • Who pays for it (usually your contents coverage, but check)
  • What gets saved vs. written off
  • How long it takes, and how you get your things back
Read the full guide →

Guides

Insurance

How to make a home inventory your adjuster will accept

A room-by-room method, with a free printable checklist.

8 min read Fire & Smoke

Can smoke-damaged furniture be saved?

What cleans up, what doesn't, and the smell test that decides.

6 min read Water

Burst pipe? The first 24 hours, hour by hour

Shut-off, photos, drying, and what to move first.

7 min read Insurance

Does homeowners insurance cover a packout?

When it's usually covered, when it isn't, and what to ask your adjuster.

8 min read Belongings

Rugs after a flood: clean, dry, or toss?

How pros decide, and why speed matters.

5 min read Belongings

Photos, papers and keepsakes: what can be rescued

Freezing, air-drying, and when to call a specialist.

8 min read Insurance

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value, explained simply

Why two policies can pay very different amounts for the same couch.

6 min read Fire & Smoke

Getting smoke smell out of clothes and fabrics

What works at home and what needs professional ozone.

5 min read Planning

Make a home inventory today, before you ever need it

A 30-minute video walk-through that can save thousands.

4 min read