Business Owner's Desk
Plain-language insurance guidance
Practical answer
What should I do immediately after a fire?
Protect people first, then preserve the claim evidence.
The short answer
Contact emergency services, prevent further harm where safe, and notify the insurer or broker promptly. Do not admit liability or discard damaged property before the insurer has had a reasonable opportunity to inspect, unless safety requires immediate action.
What to do now
- 01Secure the site and follow emergency-service and authority instructions.
- 02Notify the insurer and broker; request a claim number and written next steps.
- 03Photograph conditions, preserve CCTV and alarm records, and maintain a timed decision log.
- 04Separate damaged stock, retain invoices and samples where safe, and record mitigation costs.
- 05Start a business-continuity plan and track lost sales, saved costs, overtime, rent, and temporary operations.