When Your House is Burning Down, You Should Brush Your Teeth by Matthew Inman

Your insurance company will cover the extent of your home’s repair or rebuild up to the replacement cost value of your home. A replacement cost policy is designed to put you back in the same position you were in prior to experiencing a loss. The most common, and most advised policy is a replacement cost policy. If Your House Burns Down What Does Insurance Cover?Īfter an insurance adjuster’s visit, the ultimate question will always be, how much will the insurance company pay out? The answer is dependant of the type on homeowner’s policy you purchased. For some personal items, the adjuster may deem it more cost-effective to replace an item that experienced smoke damage, rather than pay for cleaning and restoration of an item however, if there are specific items that hold personal value to you, or there are family heirlooms that cannot be replaced, it’s important to mention this to the adjuster and ask questions about any items or areas you may be concerned with. It is the adjuster’s job to determine the most cost-effective way to complete the repair or replacement of your home and lost items. It is important to be prepared and present for the insurance adjuster’s walk-through: take photos, document damage, keep a detailed record of any specialty items lost, or questions you may have. What to Expect from an Insurance Adjuster After a House FireĪn insurance adjuster’s job is to visit your home in the aftermath of a loss, complete a walk-through, and document the extent of the damage to report back to the insurance company. Your insurance company will open a claim and assign an insurance adjuster to your claim. Your insurance agent or broker will support you through the process and walk you through each step. The first thing to do after a fire, when everyone has been evacuated and safe, is to call your agent or broker to report the insurance claims. There are coverages listed in your homeowner’s policy to help with costs of replacing lost personal items, rebuilding, or replacing your home and covering costs of additional living expenses such as hotel or apartment rentals, meals, and emergency items. What Do Insurance Companies Do When Your House Burns Down? In the direct aftermath of a fire, homeowners are often left thinking, ‘now what?’ The simple answer: call your insurance agent or broker.

You can take comfort in knowing that your insurance policy is designed to help you navigate through this time and get you back on your feet. These losses are the exact reason you have home insurance. A house fire of any magnitude is a devastating and traumatic event.

When Your House is Burning Down, You Should Brush Your Teeth by Matthew Inman