Some Insurance Coverage Exceptions

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

While a reliable fire insurance policy affords the prudent homeowner peace of mind, not every home fire is covered.

Exceptions To Insurance Coverage

While a reliable fire insurance policy affords the prudent homeowner peace of mind, not every home fire is covered. Keep in mind the following exceptions when purchasing and renewing policies in La Verkin, UT.

1. Extended Vacancies

The typical insurance policy only covers an occupied home. After a duration determined by the agency, usually around a month, the home is considered unoccupied. If a fire or related damage occurs during this period, your compensation will be limited or non-existent. Insurance agencies treat a vacant home fire differently because the risk of a fire in an unoccupied residence is greater. The typical maintenance process that goes on in a home that is currently in use has a protective effect against many of the common causes of fires.

2. Increasing Insurance Coverage

If you need to be away from your residence for longer than a month, most insurance agencies can extend their policies to cover your unoccupied house fire. These endorsements can also be expanded to include other vacancy risks such as burglary and vandalism.

3. Arson and Fraud

Most insurance policies also create exceptions for intentionally-set fires. Fraudulent insurance claims add substantial costs to the insurer, so the agency must take care not to introduce incentives for the policy holder to act in bad faith. Agencies will send fire inspectors and adjusters to validate that the fire was not the result of arson. Compensation for a legitimate victim of criminal activity is not the liability of the insurer by default, and must be pursued through legal means.

Every insurance policy has parameters, so familiarize yourself with the exact terms of your existing coverage and make changes if necessary. Because a home fire will likely require professional fire restoration services, a sound policy is key to getting your life back to normal.