Top of the YELP List of Best Public Adjusters Phoenix, January 17, 2023

AJR is genuinely honored to be still included at the top of the YELP list of Public Insurance Adjusters of Phoenix, Arizona.

Heading into our 10th year here in the Valley, we have represented many claims ranging from fire, wind, water, and theft.

We found that many people needed to learn about the industry when they began their claims with their insurance company.

As they continued with the claim, as the insurance company notified the insured that they would not be paying for specific items or not as much as the insured thought, we received a phone call at AJR.

The best time to hire a public adjuster is at the beginning of the process when the claim occurs, sometimes even before reporting the claim to the insurance company.

Public Adjusters can jump in and direct the claim correctly to ensure the maximum settlement is received.

Before your subsequent claim, look at some of our testimonials from clients we have assisted with our 30 + years of experience.

With your subsequent claim, give us a call; there is no charge to speak with us to determine if we can assist with your claim.

Like YELP says, call one of the best Public Adjusters in the Phoenix, Arizona area – AJR – 602-795-5227

You’ve suffered a property insurance loss, do you know what your insurance policy really covers?

Homeowners purchase home insurance to protect their homes and personal property.

After an insurance loss is not the time, you want to learn that it will not cover everything you have lost in your claim.

The article attached here explains a little further and discusses some common misunderstandings regarding insurance

https://www.nuco.com/fcs/2021/09/13/understanding-insurance-and-why-it-doesnt-cover-everything/?cmp_share

TakeAways

Insurance is a for-profit industry providing services to those who buy a policy.
Insurance does not pay for maintenance issues.
Insureds sometimes look at cost and don’t look at coverage.
Some agents take the easy way out and tell insureds they are covered for most catastrophic losses without providing details.
Insureds may not understand that their policy is not a replacement cost policy and only covers actual cash value. — this comes into play when settlement is determined.

This confusion reiterates the need for a licensed Public Adjuster to represent your interests from start to finish with your claim.

We are your A+ rated Better Business Bureau Public Insurance Adjuster here in Phoenix, Arizona, representing clients all over State 48.

AJR Public Adjusters — 602-795-5227 — info@ajrpa.com

September started off with another 5 STAR Better Business Bureau Review for AJR Public Adjusters, Phoenix – Arizona

AJR is humbled when our clients choose to share their experiences with others regarding the service and success they had while working with us.

Ken K says, “…Bruce provided us with the assurance that he had control of the situation and constantly kept us informed throughout the process.” ” In the end, knowing that Bruce and Stacy were working for us was a great comfort. Their experience and expertise were evident throughout and greatly appreciated. Bruce continually advised us as to what our policy covered, and I believe we received a very fair and prompt settlement with the insurance company.”

Better Business Bureau of Arizona Reviews of AJR Public Adjusters

With your next insurance claim call AJR first.

Allow us to turn you into a satisfied client like Ken.

You can reach us at 602-795-5227.

AJR Public Adjusters Website

Who to call for Property Damage this Monsoon Season.

Will you be able to rebuild if your home or business is damaged or destroyed by a fire? How long will it take you to bounce back if you are wiped out by a flood or hammered by a monsoon? Will you recover quickly from the losses you suffer from vandalism or theft?

You might be unpleasantly surprised more than once if tragedy strikes where you live or work – first by the brutal force of Mother Nature and later by the realization that you are unprepared to do anything but accept whatever compensation your insurance company offers. You can avoid this problem by hiring a public insurance adjuster, a person with the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the most favorable settlement possible – someone who represents you and not your insurance company.

“We serve as an advocate for the policyholder, but it’s important to remember that the policyholder controls the settlement. We advise and assist.” said Bruce Horowitz, president of AJR Public Adjusters, who has been serving homeowners and businesses for over 30 years, the last 4 being here in Arizona.

In addition to estimating how much damage has been done, AJR also helps file the paperwork to complete the claim and negotiate with the insurance company. There is no up front retainer type cost like an attorney, for their services, AJR charges its clients a percentage of the settlement.

Horowitz can offer his clients the advantages of a wealth of training and more than 30 years as a public insurance adjuster. He and his wife Stacy, who serves as vice president of AJR, moved their family to Phoenix following Bruce’s lengthy career, first with one of the largest and oldest public insurance adjusting firms in the Philadelphia area, then in Charleston, South Carolina.

Stacy, who handles the marketing and accounting for AJR, has another important job that is critical for the property owner – determining exactly what was lost or damaged.

“We take hundreds or sometimes even thousands of pictures,” she explained. “We document everything, then we send it to the client for approval.”

Bruce Horowitz cautioned homeowners and businesspeople to hire only public insurance adjusters who are licensed in the states where they do business. Also to be wary of people claiming to be in a position to negotiate with the insurance company. Only a licensed Public Insurance Adjuster has this authority, not your contractor, mitigation specialist, handyman, etc.

AJR is unique as they are one of a few companies who are a member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) with an office in Arizona. NAPIA is a 60 year old organization that sets the standards for the industry and offers its members educational opportunities and certification in various aspects of the business.

To find out more about how AJR Public Adjusters, Inc. can help you recover from a natural disaster or other property loss by helping you obtain an equitable settlement from your insurance company, call (602) 795-5227, email info@betterclaimresults.com, or visit www.betterclaimresults.com

FAQ– Public Insurance Adjusters –AJR

FAQ==Common Questions for Arizona’s Best Public Insurance Adjusters –AJR

I just discovered my property has damage from (fire, wind, water, hail, theft, etc), when is the best time to enlist the help of a Public Adjuster?

Upon discovering your property has damage it’s best to contact AJR immediately so we can help you report your claim. Delay in engaging our services, puts the amount that your entitled to recover at risk. Always wanting to put your best information forward, contacting AJR immediately is to your benefit. Your interest and the insurance companies interest are not the same. Commercials indicate that the insurance companies have your back, this might not always be the case. Many times insurance carrier’s claim centers ask tricky questions to potentially confuse policyholders into saying things which may compromise coverage on their claim. As the saying goes “anything you say, can and will be used against you”. To protect yourself against these errors, it’s best to contact a Public Adjuster at the first sign of damage to your home or business. The Public Adjuster will gather all the correct pertinent information and help report the claim in a timely efficient manner to the carrier.

The insurance company sent out an adjuster, why do I need a Public Adjuster?

There are three types of adjusters, a company adjuster who the insurance company has on staff. An independent adjuster, who the insurance company hires. The insurance company pays them to handle their claims and protect their interests. A Public Adjuster is the only adjuster who is the policyholder’s advocate. The Public Adjuster works only for the policyholder, representing their interest and maximizing the claim for the insured, not minimizing for the insurance company.

How do I find a good Public Adjuster in my area?

You want to make sure you hire an experienced licensed Public Adjuster. All Public Adjusters must hold an active license in the state. A Public Adjuster with many years of experience is valuable, as they have seen many things in the industry. The adjuster should have good valid references with whom you can speak to about their experiences. NAPIA – The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters is the oldest/largest professional organization for this industry. On their website you can find many helpful links.

The insurance company and their adjuster say that hiring a public adjuster will delay and slow down the process?

Think about it, the insurance company makes out better if you are not on a level playing field with them. They use lingo special to the insurance industry that you may not fully understand. Hiring your own expert will not slow down the process actually it puts you in the same league as the insurance adjuster. Insurance contracts can be a confusing mix of words, leaving policyholders unsure of what coverage’s actually may be. Though your insurance agent placed your coverage, their allegiance is to the insurance company. Additionally they might not be able to clarify to your satisfaction the questions you may have.
If you were called to the IRS for an audit, would you take an accountant with you to represent your interests? Why would you deal with an insurance companies professional adjuster without someone to professionally represent your interests.

What’s the best way to level the playing field in claims?

Claim adjusting is a really specialized industry. It is not just putting numbers to the paper and receiving all you have asked for. There is negotiation involved in the process and preparing the claim to put you in the best situation for this negotiation. Relying on your insurance company to calculate the amount of damage and honestly putting forth what you are owed, you are not likely to recover a full fair settlement.
Insurance companies who are in the business to turn a profit send out their adjuster who will possibly value damages to your property differently than you. Many times they make a decision you are not covered for some of your damages. Often times their offer will not even come close to the value needed to restore the damaged property.

This is where an experienced expert, Arizona’s Best Public Adjuster AJR, will help put you in the same ballpark as the insurance company.

Who at the firm will personally handle my claim?

Many times companies send out solicitors to “sign up” losses. In times of desperation many people engage in services they later realize might not have been in their best interests. The solicitors who sign the claim up generally are not the ones who handle the claims. You always want to make sure you know who will be personally handling your claim. You want to feel comfortable with that person, their level of experience and their demeanor. They will be your representation with the insurance company and you need to feel comfortable that you have someone putting your best foot forward in negotiations.

Who does my insurance company speak with after I hire a public adjuster?

Once you sign a contract with a Public Adjuster, they will notify your insurance company. At this point all correspondence will be directed towards the public adjuster. The public adjuster should continuously keep you informed and updated of all correspondence and make you aware of the progress of your claim.

The insurance company sent out a mitigation company to help with the clean-up, should I always just use this company?

Mitigation/Restoration companies sent out by the insurance company are beholden to the insurance company. Their bread and butter business comes directly from the insurance company, it is not in their best interests to protect you and your concerns with your claim. AJR works with many restoration/mitigation companies who have one job to satisfy their clients not the insurance company. Insurance companies send out their own preferred contractor whose job it is to define the scope of damage and estimate costs for repair. These companies as stated previously are measuring the loss for the insurance company not for YOU. Their job is to protect the financial goals of the insurance company not protect your goals as the policyholder.

The mitigation/restoration company wants me to sign and hire them to repair my property and sign a power of attorney stating they can talk with my insurance company about my claim, should I?

The only licensed professional’s to represent a policyholder with an insurance claim is a state licensed Public Adjuster or a lawyer. The benefit of hiring a Public Adjuster over a lawyer is number one it does not make economic sense. Number two is the daily experience the Public Adjuster has in this field. Lawyers are qualified to do this work, but generally this is not the only work they do. Public Adjusters review and handle claims 365 days a year and stay current with education on new laws/rules to adjusting.

Contractors, Mitigation Companies, Restoration companies are not authorized to represent you in insurance claim negotiations, nor are they professionally licensed or regulated by your state insurance department/agency to do so.

No one should ever request a power of attorney be signed over to them, BIG RED FLAG. Public Adjusters have state licensed contracts clients must sign. These are determined by the state.

The insurance company is offering to pay out immediately. Why would this be a problem?

Insurance companies lead you to believe that a quick pay out is in your best interests. Policyholders will be more satisfied and look favorably on the carrier. BIG MISTAKE. What looks like great customer service may actually be an attempt to settle a claim and convince you to settle for less money due to stress you are under and just a desire to “finish the claim”. We recommend taking your time and making sure you are completely protected. Don’t feel rushed or sign anything until you understand all ramifications of your claim.

My damage is extensive, how can I be sure to recover all my damages?

Severe property damage creates all kinds of complicated issues. Coverage’s you are due under your policy and damage you can’t see may be missed. Experience professional help ensures you will not miss damages that can be submitted as part of your claim.

What should I do if my insurance carrier delays the claim?

Insurance carriers are required to respond to you and process your claim in a specified period of time when certain conditions are met. The public adjuster understands these nuances and can assist with this. If you are getting the run-around with your claim, seek immediate help from an expert in this field.

How do I pay for the Public Adjuster services, will my insurance company pay for this?

The Public Adjuster is paid on a contingency fee basis. Be careful when you are interviewing adjusters, this fee should not be more than 25%. The fee you agree to pay is dependent upon the size, type of loss and status of the loss. The amount the adjuster is paid comes from the proceeds you receive from the insurance company. The contract you sign is between you and the adjuster not the insurance company. The adjuster with their knowledge and experience are better suited to maximize your claim and get a better return than trying to handle a claim without their professional advice.

What if I can’t agree with my insurance company as to the final $ amount of my claim?

If the dollar offer the insurance company is making is too low to cover your repairs or losses, there is a clause in every policy called the appraisal clause. This is when you, the policyholder demand an appraisal, which is similar to arbitration in other fields. Each side chooses an appraiser then agree on an umpire. Each appraiser states the value of the property and amount of loss. If they cannot agree, decision goes to the umpire. Two out of three binds the award. A Public Adjuster is fully capable to act as your appraiser if this situation arises.

Is a Public Adjuster an attorney? Can’t I just hire an attorney to represent me?

This is a common question and NO Public Adjusters are not attorneys. They are state licensed professionals whose sole job is to represent policyholders with insurance claim negotiations with insurance company. Knowledge is important, this is the only industry Public Adjusters engage in. Their experience matched with information gained over years puts public adjusters in the best position to negotiate your claim. There is a monetary consideration when deciding whom to engage to represent your best interests with a claim.
There may be times an attorney is needed if legal issues arise in your claim. Denial of claim, bad faith are two examples of conditions that require an attorney representation.

I have already settled my claim and now discover there are additional damages I was not aware of, can I get a public adjuster involved now?

As long as you did not sign a full and final release, YES you can engage a public adjuster. You may be required to sign a proof of loss or partial proof of loss, in order to receive some check from the insurance company. There are also statute of limitations that you need to be aware of that may apply to your claim.

Do they raise my rates if I file a claim?

There are many factors that are included in rate determination. Your rates aren’t guaranteed to rise or even be dropped by the insurance compay if you do file a claim. With that in mind,iIt is not recommended to file claims for every small loss that occurs to your property. It may work against you in the future, if insurance companies see you consistently file claims for minor damages. We buy insurance to protect us in time of a loss. If you are unsure whether to file a claim or not, give AJR a call. We will discuss your situation and help you decide the best course of action to move forward with.

My insurance company has sent me a check what do I do? It is not enough money to fix the damages.

At this point, please reach out to a licensed, experienced Public Adjuster. Evaluation of the policy and documenting papers needs to be made to determine if you are giving up all future rights if you deposit this check. AJR does not charge a fee to come and evaluate your particular situation any step along the way.

Should I ask for references of the Public Adjuster?

A quality licensed Public Adjuster should be able to provide at least three references for you to speak with about their claim. When speaking with the references a few good questions to ask are:

If you had another disaster would you hire this public adjuster again?
Do you feel the fee you paid was worth the service you received?
After you signed the contract, was the same adjuster involved with your claim or did someone else take over at the firm?
How long did it take to settle the claim?
Was your settlement enough to restore the property to prior condition?
Were you able to get enough money to replace all of your personal property?
Did the Public Adjuster keep you abreast of all that was happening in your claim.
Did the Public Adjuster take your phone calls in a timely manner?

LOOK ==Answer some questions for a chance to WIN.

Prior to meeting//learning about us, we are hearing many people did not know our industry existed.

We are reaching out today to see if you have had an insurance claim that was filed before you knew about Public Adjusting and AJR.

We are wondering if you had a claim if you would take a few moments to answer the questions below? We may utilize them on our blog to help spread the word even more about Public Adjusting.

If you take the time to answer we will enter your name in a drawing for an iTunes gift card. We will do the drawing on June 1^st. We will announce the winner on our Linked In, Twitter and Facebook Page and blog page. ( We will send a confirmation email to indicate you have entered drawing)

You can like and follow those here:

We appreciate any likes and follows even if you did not have a claim story to share.

Facebook ———– https://www.facebook.com/ajradjusteraz

Twitter ————- https://twitter.com/AJRPublicAdj

WordPress Blog — https://ajrpublicadj.wordpress.com

Linked In———— http://linkd.in/1BWoiiO

You can just email the responses back to info@betterclaimresults.com

Thank you in advance for your time, support and consideration.

=====================================================

Name:

What was the type of claim that occurred on your property?

What type of experience did you have with the insurance adjuster?

What/ if any problems arose with the insurance company?

What kind of time frame did it take to settle your claim?

Were you satisfied with the settlement?

Did you feel like you were on equal ground with them, as far as knowledge and coverage’s you were entitled to?

Did your claim take time away from work, personal time?

Had you known prior to your claim about a professional adjuster who works for you, do you think you would you have hired one to assist with the claim?

AJR Public Adjusters 602-795-5227 www.betterclaimresults.com

Why you should have a Public Adjuster on YOUR side with your next insurance claim

Most people who have a claim have no idea how to prepare and adjust it. They more or less rely on their “insurance adjuster” to do that for them. BIG MISTAKE! What you must understand is, it is the “insurance adjusters” job to make company first-rate settlements with policyholders, most of whom lack the fundamental information and adjusting skills to be on a level playing field with the adjuster.

Knowledge is leverage. The more you know, the more power you have, and insurance adjusters are well trained to cut corners and save their company money and, more and more, look for ways to avoid paying claims. You need someone as well trained in your corner looking out for your interests. The objective in adjusting should be to get as good a result as possible, as quickly as possible, as trouble free as possible. Most policyholders will continue their fate of dealing ineffectively due to the fact that they lack ability, information, and understanding.

To adjust is to negotiate. An adjuster is a negotiator. Usually, only the person representing the insurance company is considered the adjuster, and the policyholder receives his/her adjustment, as previously stated, from a company inspired adjuster. In order to arrive at an adjusted settlement, each side has its own needs to satisfy. The less you know, the more likely you are to be forced to meet the needs of the insurance company.

You must know your needs! You must know your rights!

A Public Adjuster can help you with both of these. If you don’t know what to expect and how to get it, you may become overwhelmed and give in too easily.

No one knows the outcome of an adjustment beforehand. Therefore, it is impossible to anticipate to what extent either party will give in to the needs of the other. Bargaining power becomes the main ingredient in adjusting. It usually comes about naturally as facts come to the surface. Adjusting is a matter of give and take, and unless you are dealing from a position of strength and knowledge like a Public Adjuster can offer, you may be forced to give too much.

Insurance adjusters facing a knowledgeable public adjuster usually enter on a more cooperative basis, and there is a strong likelihood that each will strive for common goals.

Usually a policyholder has to deal with a claim at a time following a disaster. Disasters including fire, haboob, wind, water, theft, etc. Psychologically, most people are not up to the task under these circumstances. It is very common to see people in a state of shock, confusion and helplessness. A professional public adjuster will be emotionally level and competent.

The time of a personal disaster is not the time to be thinking about all of this for the first time. Think about it now and take comfort in the knowledge that AJR can be there to protect your interest if indeed the unthinkable happens to you.

AJR PUBLIC ADJUSTERS –BRUCE/STACY HOROWITZ—602-795-5227

WWW.BETTERCLAIMRESULTS.COM

How can a Public Adjuster Help ME with my next property insurance claim, and when should I CALL?

It’s best for people to engage with us when the property loss occurs. Claims occurring from fire, wind, water, theft, hail etc. We help them report the claim and take care of all the necessary duties according to the contract from there.

A few ways to think about it is, if you are called to the IRS for an audit you would take an accountant with you to represent your interests. Why deal with a professional insurance adjuster without your own professional licensed adjuster to represent you and your interests.

The reason its best to engage us at the very beginning of the process is as in other situations, “anything you say can and will be used against you”. To prevent any problems like this from occurring, its best to engage us at the beginning. I think this answers your question about “should I wait until a problem occurs”.

Additionally part of our job is to maximize the recovery from the insurance company. To leave no stone unturned and peruse policy to make sure policyholders are claiming all coverages that they have paid for that apply to each particular claim.

Our 28 + successful years of experience handling claims into the millions of dollars ensure thorough and complete handling of each claim.

We are paid a small percentage of the settlement, no higher than 10%. AND as the claims get higher the percentage can go down and is negotiable. (a $1,000,000 claim, we would not be taking 10%). The insured pays our fee not the insurance company (though it comes out of the proceeds). The knowledge we have of policies and the gain the insured receives helps cover this cost and provides additional monies.

People/Companies don’t generally know what’s in their policy or understand them, therefore don’t realize what they are entitled to. This is where our knowledge and experience assist. Additionally, when property claims occur, it is an extremely stressful situation. Adding to this stress is dealing with the insurance company and their adjusters, since they want to pay out as little as possible for claims. Why handle this stress on your own, and try to navigate policies and professional adjusters. We have been there done that and know how to do it the quickest best way to maximize the return.

www.betterclaimresults.com

AJR Public Adjusters 602-795-5227

AJR Highlights: REASONS TO CALL US FIRST WITH YOUR NEXT PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIM

Highlights about AJR for you to reference should the need arise with your next insurance claim

FIRE, WIND WATER, THEFT, HAIL ETC

(602-795-5227)

www.betterclaimresults.com

When an insurance claim (fire, water, wind, theft, hail etc. ) occurs its best to call AJR first.
We will help you report your claim.
We will immediately come out to assess initial damage.
We will bring experts or utilize your experts to estimate property damage.
We will take inventory of all contents damaged.
We will price cost for replacement of contents items.
We will negotiate on your behalf to maximize settlement with your insurance company.
Ensuring you have taken advantage of and exhausted all clauses in your insurance policy.

With AJR you get:

State licensed Public Insurance Adjuster with over 28 years experience
An adjuster whose experience includes handling claims into the millions
An adjuster who has handled previously but not limited to residential, business, apartment buildings, Condos, HOA’s claims
Personal Attentive Service from Business Owners not employees.
Ongoing Communication and updates regarding your claim as new information becomes available
A company that does everything in our power to help settle your claim as quickly as possible

Any questions at any time please contact us at

602-730-8555 (OFFICE)

480-519-9099 (BRUCE CELL) bruce@ajrpa.com

480-519-9199 (STACY CELL) stacy@ajrpa.com

www.betterclaimresults.com

Home Insurance Exclusions to be aware of via Insure.com

Some good tips to be aware of re: exclulsions to homeowners policies.

If you find yourself with an insurance claim, call AJR to help maximize recovery and confirm you are utilizing all coverages afforded to you.

AJR Public Adjusters, 602-795-5227, http://www.betterclaimresults.com

Home insurance exclusions: What your policy won’t cover

By Amy Danise, Insure.com – Last updated: Dec. 9, 2014

No matter what type of home insurance policy you buy, there’s a list of common problems (called “perils”) that most insurance companies will not cover.

Knowledge is your best defense when you have a possible home insurance claim. Knowing exactly what your homeowners insurance policy covers and excludes also helps you determine whether you want to purchase additional coverage.

For example, do you know which of these problems is not covered by a home insurance policy?

A car careens off the street and crashes through your living room wall.
A skunk gets into your house and stinks up everything you own.
A foreign army invades the United States, destroying your house in the process.

Answer: You’re not covered if an invading army destroys your house (acts of war are excluded), but you are covered if your house is hit by a car or perfumed by a skunk.

Things covered by home insurance policies

There are a variety of standard homeowners insurance policies. The most basic policy, HO-1, covers only a few perils and insurance companies have stopped selling it in most states. The HO-2, generally called the “broad form,” covers 16 perils. They are:

Fire or lightning.
Windstorm or hail.
Explosion.
Riot or civil commotion.
Damage caused by aircraft.
Damage caused by vehicles.
Smoke.
Vandalism or malicious mischief.
Theft.
Volcanic eruption.
Falling objects.
Weight of ice, snow or sleet which causes damage to a building.
Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic fire-protective sprinkler system or from a household appliance.
Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning or bulging of a steam or hot water heating system or an air conditioning or automatic fire-protective system.
Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic, fire-protective sprinkler system or of a household appliance.
Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current (does not include loss to a tube, transistor or similar electronic component).

An HO-3 policy is often called a “special form” because it covers everything except certain perils outlined in the policy. It is the most popular type of policy. The standard HO-3 policy contains these exclusions:

Ordinance or law, such as demolition or construction required to bring your house up to code.
Earth movement, such as earthquakes, shockwaves, sinkholes, landslides and mudflows.
Water damage, such as floods, sewer back-ups and water that seeps through the foundation.
Power failure.
Neglect, meaning you failed to take reasonable means to save your property during or after a loss.
War, including undeclared war and civil war.
Nuclear hazard.
Intentional loss, meaning something you did on purpose with the intent to cause a loss.
Governmental action, such as the destruction, confiscation or seizure of covered property by any governmental or public authority.
Loss to property, resulting from faulty zoning, bad repair or workmanship, faulty construction materials and defective maintenance.

Find out more about these home insurance basics.

There are two important questions to ask your home insurance agent: What losses does your policy cover and not cover? And what additional coverage might you need given your situation?

Examples of home insurance exclusions

Since policies can differ by state and insurance company, the only way to know what your exclusions are is to read your own policy. If you come across something you don’t understand, ask your agent or insurance company about it. Here are some scenarios that address home insurance exclusions.

Q: What happens if a wild animal sneaks into my home and wreaks havoc?
A: You’re covered. Technically, the animal vandalized your home. Vandalism is covered under most standard policies.

Q: What if I need a building code upgrade?
A: Not covered. If your home suffers damage and you want to upgrade it when you repair, you’ll have to do it at your own expense. A standard home insurance policy pays only for what you originally insured. However, some insurance companies sell a “rebuilding ordinance or law coverage” rider. This extra coverage pays a specific amount toward upgrade costs — but under this type of policy you have to suffer a disaster before it will pay to upgrade.

Q: My basement flooded and most of my possessions have been destroyed. Am I covered?
A: No. For protection against floods, you’ll need flood insurance. Also, water coming into your home from backed-up sewers is typically excluded, but you can purchase optional coverage to protect yourself from this.

Q: Can I make an insurance claim for my home’s value plummeting after the city built a prison in the area?
A: No. Selling cost is not insurable. Your home is insured for the amount you’ll need to rebuild it and replace the contents.

Q: Am I covered for damage to my home that resulted from a power outage?
A: Each policy contains coverage for the loss of food in your refrigerator and freezer, usually up to $500. Electronics, such as your computer, are not covered under standard home insurance policies if there’s a surge when the power comes back on, unless the surge is due to a covered peril such as lightning.

Q: A company dumped pollutants into a stream that runs through my property. Am I covered?
A: No. If something like this were to happen, the party responsible would be liable for your clean-up bill — probably after a lengthy court battle. But some insurance policies contain coverage to clean up oil spilled in your house by the oil company that fills your tank.

Q: Suppose lightning strikes a power line leading into my home. Are my damaged possessions covered?
A: Yes. Any damage caused by lightning — such as fire or damage to electronics from a surge — is covered.

Q: One of my appliances caught fire and caused my hot water heater to explode. Am I covered?
A: You’re covered. This is an instance of what insurance companies call a “sudden and accidental loss.”

Q: I’m running a small business from my home. Is my computer and office equipment covered?
A: If you run a business out of your home, you should be insured separately. A simple home office might require only an endorsement to a home insurance policy, but a hair salon, day care or construction business poses greater potential liability and requires a separate business insurance policy. See our business insurance section.

Freaky incidents and home insurance exclusions

Q: A religious phenomenon damaged my home. Now what?
A: You’re covered. Every now and then you’ll hear about something unusual, such as a house where oil is pouring out of the walls for no apparent reason and the Virgin Mary appears in the oil. If that happens to you, and you make a claim for the damage done to your walls, you’re covered.

Q: What if a plane, train or automobile crashes into my living room?
A: You’re covered. Cars and trains fall under coverage for damage from vehicles hitting your house, while airplane damage is paid for by coverage for objects falling out of the sky.

Q: Suppose an antigovernment militia invades my neighborhood. Is my destroyed home covered?
A: If the United States government determines that it was not an act of war, you should be covered. Acts of terrorism are covered, but not acts of war.

Q: A nuclear power plant problem irradiated my home. Are my home and possessions covered?
A: No. Nuclear accidents are a standard exclusion. You’d have to go to the power company that owns the nuclear plant and get it to pay up.

Q: My house slid down a cliff. Am I covered?
A: No. If you build or buy a house on a cliff, be aware of the risks involved. A standard home insurance policy won’t pay if your house slides down because of a landslide or any other reason. That’s considered “earth movement” and is excluded. Your best bet is to check with your agent about getting coverage for such an event. (If you live in California, a California Earthquake Authority policy will cover earth movement only if it is seismically induced, so if you live on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, you will need additional coverage.)

Q: My house, which was built over an old coal mine, was swallowed by a sinkhole. Am I covered?
A: No, this is also excluded as “earth movement.” This is a problem for homeowners in Coal Belt states, including Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, but random sinkholes have appeared all over the country. While a home insurance policy doesn’t cover sinkholes due to old mines, you can purchase coverage (known as mine subsidence insurance), usually from your state’s Mine Subsidence Authority. Check with your state’s department of insurance or your insurance agent.