What Should You Expect From Your Insurance Company After a House Fire?

An Insurance Guide to House Fires

Series: An Insurance Guide to House Fires

On your end, you want to recover quickly and get back on your feet. If you want to ensure that your needs are met, here are some things to consider. 

Assess Cost of Living Expenses

Even if you wind up staying at a family member’s house, you can still get money for their trouble. Have your family member draft a list of living expenses that they are providing (i.e., room and board, meals, etc.) so that you can include it into your claim. These are called “loss of use” funds, and they will help you out immensely.

Beyond the price of a hotel room, most insurance companies will only consider expenses that are generated as a result of the fire. For example, if your grocery bill is only $400 a month and you’re still spending that living elsewhere, you won’t be able to claim any additional funds. 

Getting an Advance

Because filing and processing a claim takes time, you will likely have to secure an advance from the insurance company to handle any immediate expenses or bills. Remember, you have to pay things like mortgage and utilities even if your house is under repair, so you need money to stay solvent. 

Don’t Throw Anything Away

It’s natural to think that ruined items should go into the trash, but don’t do anything until it’s been logged into your case file. If you toss something and the insurance company doesn’t know about it, that’s a total loss, and you can’t reclaim it in your settlement. 

Don’t Agree to Close the Case Immediately

Don’t close your case too quickly. It can sometimes take several months to assess all of the damage to the property. If your case is closed, and you find additional damage to your property, you won’t be able to do anything because the case is closed. Thus, wait a while before you make things final so that you don’t run into that situation. 

Contact Us Today

Don’t wait until it’s too late to contact Bob Johnson Insurance. Your home is one of the most valuable items you own, so it’s crucial that you have a policy that will replace lost or damaged items.

If you live in Knoxville, TN, and the surrounding area, call us today at 865-922-311 or click here to contact us to find out how we can protect you and your family. As an independent agency, we are able to offer a choice of carriers and options, plus personalized advice to help make sense of it all. And, we make it easy by doing the research and the work for you.

What Do Insurance Companies Expect from You After a House Fire?

An Insurance Guide to House Fires

Series: An Insurance Guide to House Fires

For the most part, insurers are mostly interested in the following:

  • Assessing the amount of your claim
  • Getting a comprehensive list of damages and lost items
  • Closing your claim quickly

To ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, you should try to provide the insurance company with as much documentation and information as possible including:

  • Date and time of the fire
  • Location of the fire
  • Injuries and personal damage
  • Previous and current condition of the home
  • Repair costs
  • Cost of living expenses 
  • A police report

You should keep copies of everything in a centralized binder so that you can manage all of these documents neatly. Overall, the more disorganized you are, the more you have to rely on your insurer to assess the damage for you. Having proof of the damage to the value of the lost or damaged items helps work toward a more accurate claim amount.


Next: What Should You Expect From Your Insurance Company After a House Fire?

What You Should Do After a House Fire

An Insurance Guide to House Fires

Series: An Insurance Guide to House Fires

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, you will likely be shocked and stunned. However, the faster that you can start on the path towards recovery, the better it will be for both you and your home. Here are the steps you should take to ensure an efficient restitution plan. 

Find a Place to Stay

Chances are that your home will not be available for you after the fire, meaning that you have to either reach out to friends or family to provide a place to sleep and live in the interim. Only if there is extremely minor damage will you be able to remain in the home, but you have to wait for approval from the fire department. 

Call Your Agent

You want to get your agent out to the property as soon as possible to assess the damage and start working on your claim. You want to get things back to normal quickly, so the sooner you do this, the better off you’ll be. Not only can you get a settlement to repair the damage, but you may also be entitled to “loss of use” funds that can help cover immediate expenses, such as living arrangements. 

Work on Your Financial Situation

Recovery is the primary goal, but the fact is that banks and lenders won’t put a hold on your mortgage payments just because you had a fire. This is another reason to contact your agent immediately so that you can be sure that you can continue to make payments on time and in full so that you don’t have any financial problems afterward. 

Another thing to consider is if any financial documents were lost in the fire. If you lost items like credit cards, bank statements, or tax information it could create problems down the line. Contact these companies to ensure that you can avoid such issues. 

Take Inventory of Damaged Items

While the insurance company will run a comprehensive assessment of what was lost or damaged in the fire, you should make sure that all items are accounted for as well. If you have not done a policy renewal in the last few years, you could be sitting on more value than the insurance company may realize. (See Doing an Insurance Review: Why You Need It and What to Do.)

It’s imperative that you work with your insurer to get the funds necessary to replace everything, including those items that were totally destroyed. Overall, this process may take the longest, unless you have an itemized list of purchases and appraisals already. (See Why You Need a Home Inventory List and How to Make One.) Otherwise, you will have to determine the value after the fact so that it can go towards your claim settlement. 

Being Safe After a House Fire

No matter what, you should never go back into the house unless the fire department says it’s okay. The structural integrity of the property may not be intact, meaning that you could run into falling debris, further causing injury to yourself and others. 

When going back into the house, be sure to avoid sections that are waterlogged. Mold and bacteria will breed in these parts, which could create a health hazard.

As we mentioned, smoke damage can also include dangerous chemicals, so avoid touching items that have soot on them, as well as breathing heavily in sections of the house that have significant smoke stains. If necessary, wear a breathing mask. 


Next: What Do Insurance Companies Expect After a House Fire?

What to Expect After a House Fire

An Insurance Guide to House Fires

Series: An Insurance Guide to House Fires

For many homeowners, one of the worst things that can happen is a fire in the home. Whether it’s a small flame or a destructive blaze, the damage can be both catastrophic and emotionally scarring. 

However, if you do experience a house fire, it’s imperative that you understand what options you have for recovery. Homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect you against this kind of damage, but it requires input from you to ensure that the process moves smoothly. 

If you live in the Knoxville, TN area, then contact Bob Johnson Insurance today to find out how we cover house fires. We provide excellent policies that will keep you and your family protected, no matter what happens. 

What to Expect After a House Fire

If your home goes up in flames, a lot of things are going to happen. The more you know what to expect, the better you can react to ensure that you are both safe and informed. Here’s an overview of what can happen after a house fire. 

Wait for the Fire to be Fully Extinguished

The fire department will be the ones handling the blaze, and it’s up to them to decide when the area is safe and the fire is out. Until they give the all clear, you should avoid getting close to the fire at all. 

Injury Assessment

Hopefully, no one will be hurt in the blaze, but that’s not always the case. If you or a family member are injured either by the fire itself or other circumstances (i.e., smoke inhalation), the paramedics will probably rush you to the emergency room to figure out the extent of the injury. 

Going Back Inside

Depending on how big and how destructive the fire was, you may be able to go back into your house or you may not. Again, it’s up to the fire department to determine how safe the property is, so don’t try going back in unless you have been instructed to do so. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself at unnecessary risk. 

Water and Smoke Damage

Just because part of your house was not engulfed in flames doesn’t mean that it wasn’t damaged. Water hoses and fire extinguishers are necessary for putting out the blaze which can leave lasting effects on parts of your property (as well as the stuff inside). In some case, you may have items that need replacing because they are waterlogged. 

Smoke can also require more extensive recovery. Because the ash can contain harmful chemicals, it will have to be cleaned to avoid inhalation. Again, even if the section was not touched by fire, you can still be facing a lot of damage from the smoke. 


Next: What You Should Do After a House Fire

An Insurance Guide to House Fires (series)

An Insurance Guide to House Fires

For many homeowners, one of the worst things that can happen is a fire in the home. Whether it’s a small flame or a destructive blaze, the damage can be both catastrophic and emotionally scarring. 

If you do experience a house fire, it’s imperative that you understand what options you have for recovery. Homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect you against this kind of damage, but it requires input from you to ensure that the process moves smoothly. 

Part 1: What to Expect After a House Fire

Part 2: What You Should Do After a House Fire

Part 3: What Do Insurance Companies Expect After a House Fire?

Part 4: What Should You Expect From Your Insurance Company After a House Fire?

Fireworks Safety Basics for New Year’s Eve

Fireworks Safety Basics for New Year's Eve

We often spend New Year’s Eve with family and friends, and we enjoy great food as we celebrate the incoming New Year. However, when it comes to fireworks, it can be a bit hazardous and stressful, which is why you want to be safe and careful this season. 

Every year, thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed by the improper use of fireworks, which can make the holiday a dangerous time of year. At Bob Johnson Insurance, your property is our concern, which is why we’re sharing our top safety tips for you and your family. 

How to Protect Yourself and Others

  • If you want to avoid any problems altogether, then don’t set off fireworks at home. Instead, Knoxville has lots of parties and events going on for New Year’s Eve, and some of them may include fireworks.  Do a quick internet search for “Knoxville TN fireworks New Year’s Eve”.
  • If you’re going to light some fireworks, be sure to read the instructions first, and don’t make or use homemade versions. 
  • Be cautious with children. Many little ones will want to join in on the fun, but don’t let them get too close. Usually, people think sparklers are safe, but they can still burn at more than 1,000 degrees F. Overall, let your children be observers, not participants. Over 40% of injuries happen to kids under the age of 15. 
  • Never let your kids light fireworks unattended. If you have teenagers, you want to keep an eye on them. One errant spark can create a hazardous situation, which is why you have to be vigilant. 

Protecting Your Property

Again, if you want to avoid fire hazards, you should probably leave the fireworks to the professionals. However, if you decide to light off fireworks, then follow these tips. 

  • Keep any and all flammable materials away from the festivities. Paper plates, napkins, and other combustibles can be more than enough to create a blaze. 
  • Monitor your surroundings. Trees, bushes, and dry grass can also catch fire, so keep an eye on natural hazards as well. 
  • Clean your gutters. If a firework ends up on the roof, it could ignite dried leaves and debris in your gutters.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Even if you’re careful, a neighbor may not be as vigilant. Always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. 

This New Year’s Eve, don’t take any chances. Don’t become one of the statistics and follow these safety tips. Whether staying at home or going abroad this season, have fun and be safe!

Tips for Safe Holiday

Tips for a Safe Holiday

The holidays are fun and exciting and busy. Holiday decorations add to the atmosphere and excitement, but they also pose potential safety issues. Follow these simple tips to stay safe this holiday season.

Inspect Strands of Lights

Lights are beautiful and really set the tone for the holidays, but always play it safe when dealing with electricity. Before stringing lights inspect the entire strand. Look for frayed or exposed wires, cracks in the housing where bulbs screw in or any other damage. If you find anything wrong or damaged do not use the strand. Replace damaged strands with new and safe strings of lights. Always unplug a strand when replacing a bulb and make sure to use replacement bulbs that are the correct voltage.

Turn Lights Off at Night

Turn holiday decorations off overnight. Lights become warm the longer they are on and this can pose an ignition risk, especially when hung on a tree. Consider using a timer to ensure the lights go on and off each night to save you from remembering and ensuring safety. Also shut the lights off when you head out to work or to run errands. The same goes for candles. Never leave a candle burning unattended.

Safely Burn the Yule Log

A fire creates a cozy ambience, but before lighting a fire make sure the structure and equipment is safe. For a gas fireplace that means the glass should be intact and in place. For a wood burning fireplace, be sure the chimney has been cleaned and keep the size of the fire under control. Store wood a reasonable distance from the fireplace and keep fire rated gloves and fireplace tools, such as a poker close by.

Test Your Alarms

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure everything is in proper working order. You should routinely check these devices to ensure safety, but with all of the extra decorations and activities during the holidays giving everything another check is a good idea.

Value of Safety Checks

Ensure the holidays are a festive time, but also a safe time by putting these tips to use. With all of the hussle and hubbub of the holidays taking the time to watch out for these safety issues can keep your family and loved ones safe and secure.

Insurance involves more than just a policy. We want all of our customers to be safe and celebrate an enjoyable holiday season. If you have questions, click here contact BJI. We are glad to help.

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

When most of us think about the holidays, we imagine gathering the loved ones together and sharing in some spectacular memories. However, for our pets, the season can be more than a little stressful, not to mention dangerous. 

The fact is that things that seem innocuous to us could be a big deal for our furry friends. Crackling fires, guests visiting at various times, and foreign plants and objects in the house can turn the holidays into a danger zone if you’re not careful. 

So, with that in mind, let’s go over some safety tips to keep your furry friends protected during the holidays. 

Stow Away Medications

Family visitors bring a lot of baggage with them, and some of it can include medicine. Even if it’s something as benign as Tylenol, it can wreak havoc on your pets if they ingest it by accident. Be sure that everyone keeps their medicine out of paw’s reach. 

Don’t Feed Them People Food

It’s tempting to want to include your dog or cat in the holiday feast, but much of the food that we eat can be troublesome (or downright toxic) to our pets. Make sure that everyone who comes over respects this rule as well. 

Have a Safe Space

Many animals can get wiry and stressed out when visitors come over. Thus, before the family arrives, make sure that your furry pals are out of harm’s way. Whether it’s a designated room in the house or somewhere else, having a safe space for them will ensure they don’t freak out (too much). 

Fire Safety

A roaring fireplace can be warm and comforting, but it can also pose threats for your pets. Not only can dogs and cats get too overheated from the flames, but they may accidentally knock something into the fire, creating a dangerous situation. Keep all flammable objects away from the fireplace, and be sure that you have a cover in front of it at all times. 

Clear and Present Danger

Neatly wrapped gifts under the tree are appealing to us, but they can be more so to your pets. Ribbons and bows may look tempting to cats, which means that they may chew them up. If ingested, these materials can make your kitty sick, so you might want to avoid them or keep them out of the reach of your purring feline friend.

Decorations 

Cats are notorious for playing with fragile objects, knocking them to the ground for no reason at all. Christmas trees can also be a hazard as your feline attempts to dismantle all of your decorations. Overall, it’s best to keep all fragile items out of reach or secure them so they can’t be destroyed. 

Candles

Yes, lighting a few scented candles can make your holidays brighter, but as with the fire, pets can turn a pleasant evening into a rendition of Backdraft if you’re not careful. Keep candles out of the way, and remove any flammable materials nearby to avoid them getting knocked over.

This season, your pets deserve to have as much fun as you, which is why you want to take steps to keep them and your home safe. Hopefully, following these tips will avoid any disasters. 

5 Questions to Ask to Stay Safe on Halloween

Halloween Safety Tips

For many people, Halloween is the best time of year, all thanks to dressing up as your favorite character and getting free candy (what’s not to like?). However, while trick-or-treating comes with a lot of perks, it can also be a little unsafe, especially if you’re not prepared. 

At Bob Johnson Insurance, we want you to spend more time receiving and eating candy than worrying about your ghouls and goblins, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the top questions to ask yourself before heading out this year. 

#1 Are We Visible? 

Since trick-or-treating usually happens at night, you want to make sure that you’re not going to run into any problems. While most streets will be sufficiently illuminated, some may be darker than others. Bring some flashlights or reflectors, just in case. 

#2 Are Our Costumes Safe?

One of the most prevalent issues with costumes is that they can obstruct your vision. If you have little ones wearing masks, you want to make sure that they won’t trip or fall along the way. Also, keep in mind that your clothes may be flammable, so stay away from candles or jack-o-lanterns as much as possible. Finally, check on your accessories to ensure that they won’t be a hazard. 

#3 Where are We Going? 

Having a route planned ahead of time will be the best way to spend the evening. Not only will this ensure that you don’t get lost, but it will help you make your night more efficient. Wandering around aimlessly usually doesn’t get as much candy, so avoid it as much as possible. 

#4 What are My Kids Eating?

While most reports of unsafe Halloween candy are overblown, you do want to be careful of your little one’s eating habits. Check candy before eating it. Make sure wrappers are still sealed. Too much sugar can be risky, and if your child suffers from food allergies, you have to be more vigilant than usual. 

#5 How are My Pets?

If you have a dog or cat that freaks out whenever someone comes to the door, then Halloween will be more than a little nerve-wracking for both them and you. If possible, you will want to sequester your pets for the night and try and make them as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Check on them from time to time and give them food and water as necessary. Also, allow potty breaks so that they don’t mess up your floors. 

Halloween is one of the most fun nights, so make sure to stay safe this season. With these tips, you can be enjoying candy in no time. 

Seasonal Household Safety Tips

Seasonal Household Safety Tips

When the weather changes, so do our habits. Now, instead of spending time lounging in the sun and trying to stay cool from the Tennessee heat, we have to start bundling up and preparing for colder nights and brisk fall days. 

While the season brings plenty of fun activities (like football games), it can also bring some unexpected hazards. At Bob Johnson Insurance, we want to make sure that you’re prepared for anything this fall, which is why we’re offering some household safety tips this year. 

Check and Inspect Your Heating Sources

Since Knoxville isn’t known for being chilly during the spring and summer, your heater and fireplace are not going to get much use during the warmer months. However, being inactive for so long can cause problems if you’re not careful. 

So, with that in mind, you want to make sure that you inspect all of your heating sources before you use them. Fireplaces can collect flammable debris, and the chimney could become a massive fire hazard. 

Space heaters can pose a threat if they’re old and don’t have modern safety precautions. Your furnace can also be a hazard if it hasn’t been inspected in months. 

Keep Your Home Fire Resistant

Throwing some logs in the fireplace or lighting candles can make the chilly autumn nights more accommodating, but you want to be sure that you’re not putting yourself or your family at risk. 

When lighting any fires in your home, make sure to check the surrounding area for anything flammable. Keep candles away from the walls, and don’t let them burn all night while you sleep. Even a smoldering fire in the fireplace can emit sparks, so extinguish all flames before heading to bed. 

Pay Attention Outside

The fall season is time to bring out the holiday decorations, as well as prepare your plants for winter. Exercise caution when climbing up on the roof, cleaning your gutters, or pruning leaves. Falls and other accidents can happen fast, so you have to stay vigilant at all times. 

Also, keep in mind that the ground can get slippery as the weather changes. Rains and cold temperatures can create hazards, which is why you want to wear quality shoes with sufficient grip whenever you’re outdoors. 

Be Prepared in Case You Need to Use Your Insurance

Following these safety tips will ensure that your holiday season only creates fond memories for you and your family.   Our hope is that your holiday season is filled with family fun and making new memories. It’s good to be prepared just in case something happens that involves your insurance.  Give us a call at 800-624-3339 or click here to contact us. It only takes a few minutes to check your policies to ensure your coverage is adequate.