Will Insurance Pay for Your Fire Damage?

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

Will insurance pay for your fire damage?

When a home fire occurs, it could leave homeowners in Weedville, AZ, facing massive property loss as well as expensive repairs. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that in 2018, such blazes created approximately 8 billion dollars in damages, leaving people hoping that property insurance may foot the restoration bills. That isn't always the case, though. At times, the insurance company is not responsible and instead, those holding the mortgage papers need to find the resources to salvage the house.

What Does a Typical Insurance Policy Cover?

Usually your homeowner's policy pays out on fire damage, if it meets the company's policy. It's important that you spend some time reviewing that documentation thoroughly, understanding the expectations and exclusions. For example, for conflagrations occurring by accident agencies usually provide coverage for the following:

• A fire restoration company's assessment
  
• Replacement of lost personal items
  
• Cleanup procedures
  
• Household repairs
  
  

Should review of the incident appear suspicious (such as arson), your agent may deny the claim, refusing any form of payout. In addition, if the home is unattended for more than 30 days, your insurance may declare the fire out of their hands, believing that you left the property unattended and open to vandalism.

Can I Avoid Denial?

The thought of losing coverage can be emotionally devastating and frustrating as it puts the onus on the owners to foot some very large bills. The home fire may seem suspicious, but you can take steps to demonstrate your lack of involvement and help show it was unintentional. If the fire department could not find the cause, you can request an outside investigation, hoping to locate the initial accidental event. This might encourage the agent to reevaluate your request for payment. What about cases involving a vacant home fire? If you leave town frequently, try to purchase a policy ahead of time to cover this absence or keep contact with your agent, notifying them of extended travel.
Repairs from a home fire often require time and money; fortunately, an insurance policy may aid with that cost. To receive compensation, stay on top of your policy and keep in contact with your insurance company.