What Is and Isn’t Covered After a Fire

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

A home fire can be a devastating event.

If a home fire breaks out, homeowners in Buckingham, PA, can usually depend on their home insurance to help them through the trying time. Understanding how much help and what is and isn’t covered is important to know before an incident even happens. Although every policy is different, standard policies usually have similar coverage.

What Is Covered?
For people residing in the property they own, a basic policy will provide coverage in the case of an accidental fire or lightning strike. It often includes four categories.

Main Dwelling: Both partial and complete damage may be covered. Insurance will assist with the cost to rebuild or repair the home. If there isn’t a complete loss, fire and smoke remediation and restoration expert will need to be contacted for proper repairs.

Other Structures: If your property includes sheds, detached garages, or other unattached structures, they are typically covered by insurance. That usually includes repair or rebuild costs, as well as debris removal.

Personal Property: Most policies have a maximum limit for personal belongings, which may include furniture, electronics, and clothing. Some items, such as jewelry, often require an additional policy.
Loss of Use: Even a small fire creates massive repairs. From eliminating the smoke damage to replacing walls, it can take a while before your home is livable. Many policies provide living expenses during the repairs. This may include the cost of a hotel or rental and groceries.

What Isn’t Covered?
While the typical home fire is caused by accident or nature, arson is another story. If a homeowner purposely sets a house ablaze, don’t count on insurance providing any assistance. For homeowners with multiple properties or in the middle of a move, a vacant home fire may not be covered. Homes that will be vacant for more than 30 days will likely require a vacant homeowners insurance policy. While it is an added cost, it does provide peace of mind against vandalism.

A home fire can be a devastating event. While hopefully, one doesn’t happen, understanding your insurance policy beforehand makes recovering a lot easier.