With Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up, we see a large increase in house fires, especially ones started in the kitchen. Sometimes accidents happen.
Today, we will be covering a question we got from a recent Q&A:
"If my husband set fire to my kitchen, would I still be covered?”
These types of claims tend to incur significant contents, smoke, and water damage. In the case of a fire, you should do everything you can to prevent the fire damage from being more widespread. Try to mitigate any damage you can, but only if your property is deemed safe to enter. Otherwise, call us to submit the insurance claim and leave it to the professionals for restoration. We know you have a lot on your mind after a house fire; lean on Liberty to manage the entire claims process.
Is an Accidental Fire Covered?
If your husband set fire to the kitchen, don't panic! Most likely, it was an accident! We have insurance so that when accidents do happen, we're covered.
In most cases, standard homeowners' insurance policies will provide coverage for accidental fires, regardless of who started the fire. So even if your husband is the one who inadvertently set fire to the kitchen, your policy should still provide coverage.
It's always a good idea to check your policy regularly to ensure you have proper coverage.
When Isn't My House Fire Covered?
The keyword here is inadvertently, the only time a fire would not be covered under most standard insurance policies is if it were intentionally set. So even if your husband was messing around with a lighter and accidentally started the fire, you should rest easy knowing that your policy should still provide coverage.
However, there are some limitations to this coverage that you should keep in mind. For example, if you were negligent in some way and didn't take the necessary steps to prevent a fire from breaking out, then your insurance company may refuse to cover the cost of repairs.
As a policyholder, you are required to fulfill your duty after loss. This means that you are expected to take any necessary steps to limit further damage and prevent injuries after a fire. Call 911 and make all the steps to ensure the fire is put out.
Calling a Public Adjuster is the Most Important Next Step
Whether the kitchen is set on fire or the house is flooded, you should always call a public adjuster before filing your insurance claim. A public adjuster is a claims expert who will help you navigate the insurance process and ensure that your claim is not unfairly denied or underpaid.
Our licensed team at Liberty Insurance Adjusters is ready to help you get more money for your claim, give us a call today at (813) 922-5129!