The average homeowner may experience the occasional disaster or emergency, requiring insurance company involvement and perhaps other professional services. But will you be prepared? Will you know what to do when disaster strikes? Here are several lessons I learned when my home caught fire, along with noteworthy events that followed. It was not pleasant. I hope this guide, with its cautionary tale of lessons learned, helps you avoid some of the unpleasantness and get on the road to recovery swiftly. Be well.