In California, fire damage is a topic that holds serious weight at almost all times of the year. The state as a whole has been in a drought for several years, and we don’t see ourselves coming out of it any time soon. Enormous fire of devastating proportion ravage California landscapes and destroy thousands of homes each year, and recently we’ve been seeing more and more fires in suburban districts. This is why it is more important than ever to know what this means for your home and your family.
While there are many precautions you can take to help protect your home and belongings, another thing to think about is protecting your financials, and understand how a fire can affect your insurance policies. Fire damage is not something easily repaired. In fact, objects and areas of a home that are affected by fire damage typically need to be outright replaced. With fires becoming more frequent throughout California, insurance companies are trying to protect their own assets by cutting corners when it comes to coverage. If you were to be affected by fire damage, the last thing you would want would be to argue with an insurance company over your claim. Here are some things to know to keep your assets covered in the event of a fire.
PRIORITY 1: Check Your Coverage Policy
You will want to check with your insurance agency to see if you have adequate replacement coverage. Sometimes insurance companies will only initially provide “actual cash value” for any items lost in a disaster. It is recommended that you call to find out, and it is suggested to buy an endorsement to ensure the replacement of the items in your home in the event they are lost in a fire.
Make Sure Your Property Is Secure
It is reasonable for insurance agencies to request that you take the proper steps to help minimize potential damage that could happen to your home. This could include shutting off the water in the event of a pipe burst or leak. It is typically your job to be responsible for mitigating the damages in your home. In the event of an impending fire, shut off the water and turn on all lights in the home, leaving on lights will make it easier for fire fighters to find your home in smokey conditions.
File Your Claim ASAP
When filing a claim time is of the essence. You will want to try to be as meticulous as possible when listing items you have lost, as the insurance agent will ask you for an itemized list in your “proof of loss claim”. If you wait a long time to file a claim, your case will likely be lower on the priority list for an adjuster to help.
Know Your Living Expenses
Homeowner policies will reimburse you for additional living expenses. However, this doesn’t pertain to all standard expenses. For example, if your family typically spends $500 a week on groceries, but in the event of a fire you are spending $600 because you might be eating out more, you can only claim the additional $100 for reimbursement. Knowing your typical expenses will help make filing your claim easier and smoother.
Fire damage can be devastating, and repairing the damage can be a lengthy and difficult process. For any questions on fire damage restoration, or if you or a loved one has been affected by fire damage, give us a call at 619-284-4239 or visit our site cleanearthrestorations.com.
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