Several installations sit in and around Colorado Springs, and many service members own or rent homes off post in neighborhoods from Fountain and Security-Widefield to the north side of the city. A fire or wildfire smoke event can hit while the household is split between locations, a member is deployed, or the family is in the middle of a permanent change of station move with belongings in transit or storage.
None of that changes what the house needs. It does change who can make decisions, sign paperwork and let workers in. Thinking about those questions before something happens saves weeks later.
Who should be the point person?
- IfOne spouse or partner is at home and on the policyThenThat person can usually handle the claim directly. Make sure the insurer has them listed as an authorized contact.
- IfThe policyholder is deployed and the other adult is not on the policyThenA power of attorney, often prepared through base legal assistance, may be needed before the insurer or a contractor will deal with them.
- IfThe house is a rental you own and you've moved awayThenYour property manager may coordinate access, but you should approve the scope and any contract personally.
- IfYou're renting and between leases or in transitThenContact your landlord and your renters insurer at once; ask about temporary housing and storage of salvaged belongings.
Paperwork to keep where both adults can reach it
- Homeowners or renters policy number and the insurer's claim line
- A current home inventory with photos or video, saved to cloud storage
- Any power of attorney documents and their expiration dates
- Contact details for a trusted local person who can check on the house
- Mortgage servicer information, since insurance checks are often made out to both you and the lender
- Copies of PCS orders or deployment orders, which some lenders and landlords will ask for
Questions to settle with your insurer from a distance
- Can I approve estimates and sign documents electronically?
- Will you accept a video walk-through from a local contact in place of my presence?
- If my household goods were in transit or storage, which policy covers them?
- Does additional living expense coverage apply if the household was already relocating?
- How will payments be issued if I'm overseas or my address is changing?
Coming back to a cleaned house
If cleanup happens while you're gone, ask for dated photos at each stage and a written list of what was cleaned, removed or sealed. When you return, walk the house with that list in hand and smell closets, the attic hatch and the furnace area. Odor complaints are much easier to resolve while the job is still open than months later.
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.