With the Fourth of July swiftly approaching, it is not uncommon for the crack of fireworks to ring through the air ahead of schedule. Even if you live in an area where fireworks are not legal, people may be using them. What does this mean for you as a homeowner? For starters, it means that you might want to check your policy to make sure that fires caused by fireworks will be covered. It also means that you might want to take every precaution possible to prevent a firework from striking your home. Here are a few things you can do.
If you use illegal fireworks, you might not be covered.
Your homeowner's insurance may not cover you if you are the one to accidentally set a fire. Check with local laws and ordinances, as well as with your insurance policy, to determine whether or not you are legally allowed to set fireworks.
Some insurance companies cover novelty items only.
In some cases, homeowner's insurance will cover novelties, like sparklers, but not fireworks. It is important that you assess the wording of your policy before you set any fireworks.
Homeowner's insurance may pay for firework-related injuries.
If you read your policy closely, you may see that your medical bills will be covered by your homeowner's insurance if something happens to you while you are on your property. There are some situations in which this is not true. For instance, if you injure somebody else by lighting fireworks illegally on your own property, you are not likely to be covered.
The homeowner's insurance may sue your neighbor.
If your neighbor (or another party) has caused a fire in your house through the use of fireworks, it is likely that the insurance company will sue these individuals to recoup their losses for paying for your home.
Your insurance company will look at a number of factors involved in the incident.
Firework-related incidents and damages are not always straightforward. Your homeowner's insurance company will take a look at all factors involved, including safety guidelines, local laws, mitigation of damages, and the weather. They will even look at the experience and age of the individuals setting the fireplaces.
If you have questions about your homeowner's insurance policy, feel free to call and ask. You are better safe than sorry, especially with the summer holidays always just around the corner. Are you covered for July 4th?
For more information, contact an insurance company like Keyes Insurance Services Inc today!
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