Renters Insurance and Fire Damage

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

A fire to your Eason, OK, home or apartment can be a major hassle, and it may be even trickier if you are a renter. Fortunately, renters insurance generally covers fire damage.

Insurance Coverage Categories

There can be many types of expenses related to a fire at the property you rent, so it is important to be fully covered. Every policy is different, but most companies offer coverage to renters in the following areas:

• Contents
  
• Loss of use
  
• Liability
  
• Medical payments
  
  

Contents coverage replaces your personal belongings if they are destroyed in a fire, assuming you are covered for replacement cost rather than actual cash value. Loss of use coverage helps pay for temporary living arrangements while the home you rent is being restored. If you accidentally start the fire, liability insurance protects you against lawsuits filed against you. Medical payments coverage pays out for claims small enough not to warrant determining fault. As a general rule, renters insurance covers costs that affect the renter. Costs that affect the owner, such as damage to the home’s structure, are covered by the property owner's insurance policy.

How To Document the Damage

After a fire, you may be tempted to immediately begin the fire restoration process. However, it is important to take time to properly document the damage first. This way, your insurance company can fully compensate you. Once the authorities have declared your home safe, you can begin taking the photo or video evidence of the fire damage. Make sure the photos or videos are as detailed as possible. In addition, make a list of all the items that cannot be salvaged, the date you purchased each one and the purchase price. It is helpful to keep a home inventory of all big-ticket items in either a fire-proof safe or cloud storage.
Renters insurance can help you financially after a fire. However, for assistance with fire cleanup and the refurbishment of your personal property, you may wish to enlist the help of a certified fire restoration company.