WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020
Will Home Insurance Cover Cleanup After a Fire
House fires, no matter how small, can be incredibly expensive, damaging and frightening, not to mention inconvenient. After the fire is extinguished, the long process of repairs and cleanup will begin. Not only can the fire itself be extremely damaging to a home, but also the steps taken to extinguish it can create an even bigger mess.
The good news is that homeowners insurance can ensure that your repairs are covered after the fire. Additionally, it can guarantee that the costs of the cleanup are covered, too. After all, this is part of the repair process.
Still, not all fires will have coverage under your homeowners plan, and therefore, neither the damage nor the requisite cleanup expenses will have appropriate benefits provided. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering how to pay for the costs of repairs and cleanup, & how your insurance can be of benefit to you.
What was the cause of the fire?
Home insurance is designed to help you pay for household damage resulting from unexpected, unavoidable accidents. House fires are almost always covered as a result. After all, whether it was a problem in your electrical wiring, or a chimney fire that starts unexpectedly, there is probably only so much you could have done to protect yourself.
However, if a fire starts as a result of a clearly neglected wiring system, or if you intentionally set it to claim the insurance benefits, then you will likely have no coverage at all. In the latter case, you will also probably be investigated for insurance fraud, too.
When Coverage Is Available
At the time of the fire, your insurer will review your coverage and also determine the underlying cause of the blaze. They will then determine if your plan offers coverage for the loss scenario, and at this time will determine your settlement from your plan.
To calculate your settlement, your insurer will probably do the following:
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Get an estimate for both the cost of repairs and the necessary cleanup and haul away.
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Review your coverage to determine how your policy limits, deductibles and exclusions will affect how much money you will receive for the cost of your dwelling repairs and lost possessions.
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Provide living expenses benefits to help you afford hotel costs and other essential needs while your home undergoes repairs.
In areas of your home that were affected, the following cleanup services will likely be covered:
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Debris removal
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Mold remediation
Afterwards, your structural repairs will begin. Usually, your plan will allow you the freedom to choose the contractor you want to make these repairs. Of course, the best way to maximize the returns provided by your settlement will be to choose a licensed and bonded repair and cleanup service that has experience dealing with the ramifications of house fires.
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