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🧾 Insurance Coverage Review Checklist (Are You Protected Enough?)

Created by House Fire Solutions – Helping Homeowners Recover, Rebuild, and Protect Their Future

After a fire, most homeowners discover too late that their insurance coverage doesn’t truly match their needs.
This checklist helps you review every part of your policy, identify gaps, and make sure your home, belongings, and future are fully protected.

🏠 1. Homeowner Policy Basics

☐ Review your policy type – HO-3, HO-5, or HO-8 – and understand what it covers.
☐ Verify your policy number, effective date, and renewal date.
☐ Confirm your insurance company’s contact info and agent details.
☐ Check if you receive annual updates from your insurer about coverage changes.
☐ Review your deductible amount – is it affordable after a disaster?
☐ Verify whether your coverage limits have kept up with current home value and inflation.

💡 Tip: Many homeowners are underinsured because coverage hasn’t been updated in over 5 years.

🧱 2. Dwelling (Structure) Coverage

☐ Confirm the replacement cost value (RCV) of your home structure — not just market value.
☐ Ask if your policy includes Guaranteed or Extended Replacement Cost Coverage.
☐ Check whether custom features (cabinets, flooring, finishes) are included in valuation.
☐ Ensure coverage includes attached structures like garages, decks, or porches.
☐ Review whether building code upgrades or permits are covered in a rebuild.
☐ Confirm that contractor overhead and profit (O&P) are included in your rebuild payout.
☐ Check for exclusions related to fire damage, smoke, or heat exposure.
☐ Make sure the policy covers damage from firefighting efforts (water, foam, etc.).

💡 Tip: Ask your insurer for a rebuild cost estimate based on local construction prices, not a generic calculator.

🏡 3. Other Structures Coverage

☐ Verify coverage for detached garages, sheds, barns, or fences.
☐ Check the percentage of dwelling coverage applied to other structures (often 10%).
☐ Determine if solar panels, greenhouses, or outbuildings are included.
☐ Ensure coverage extends to driveways, retaining walls, and gates.
☐ Ask if custom or historical structures require an appraisal.

💡 Tip: If you’ve added new outdoor structures, update your policy immediately.

🛋️ 4. Personal Property Coverage

☐ Review the total personal property (contents) limit – usually 50–70% of dwelling coverage.
☐ Check if coverage is based on Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV).
☐ Confirm your coverage includes furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances.
☐ Ensure your policy covers off-site items (e.g., items in storage or your car).
☐ Review sub-limits for jewelry, firearms, collectibles, and art.
☐ Ask if high-value items require separate riders or endorsements.
☐ Confirm receipts, photos, or appraisals are accepted as proof of ownership.
☐ Check whether smoke damage or partial loss items are covered at full replacement value.

💡 Tip: Keep a digital home inventory spreadsheet linked to receipts and photos (you already have one from House Fire Solutions).

🚗 5. Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

☐ Verify temporary housing coverage limits (hotel, rental, food, transportation).
☐ Check how long ALE benefits last — 12, 18, or 24 months?
☐ Determine if pet boarding, internet, and commute expenses are included.
☐ Confirm that coverage begins immediately after the fire — not after adjuster approval.
☐ Review if there’s a daily or total limit on living expense reimbursement.

💡 Tip: After a fire, ALE is often the first benefit you’ll need — make sure it’s realistic for your family’s needs.

🧰 6. Debris Removal & Cleanup Coverage

☐ Confirm whether debris removal after a fire is included or limited by percentage.
☐ Ask if coverage includes hazardous material disposal (ash, asbestos, chemicals).
☐ Review maximum payout or combined limits with other coverage types.
☐ Check if additional debris removal costs can be claimed under dwelling coverage.

💡 Tip: Cleanup can cost thousands — make sure this coverage is separate and sufficient.

🧾 7. Policy Exclusions and Gaps

☐ Review the Exclusions section carefully — look for fire-related restrictions.
☐ Check for exclusions regarding arson, electrical faults, or negligence.
☐ Verify whether wildfire, smoke, or power surge damage are excluded or limited.
☐ Ask if acts of God (lightning, wind-driven fire, explosions) are covered.
☐ Review if earthquake, flood, or sewer backup require separate endorsements.

💡 Tip: Many wildfire zones now require special add-on coverage — double-check yours.

💸 8. Deductibles and Payment Terms

☐ Review your standard deductible vs. special peril deductible (e.g., wildfire).
☐ Determine if you have percentage-based deductibles tied to home value.
☐ Ask if deductibles increase for “catastrophic” or declared disaster claims.
☐ Confirm how payments are disbursed — lump sum or progress payments.
☐ Understand timelines for claim submission and payout release.

💡 Tip: High deductibles lower premiums but can delay your recovery after a fire.

🧑‍💼 9. Insurance Agent & Claims Support

☐ Record your agent’s direct phone and email contact.
☐ Confirm your agent provides annual coverage reviews.
☐ Ask if they help during claims disputes or supplemental claims.
☐ Find out whether your adjuster is company-employed or third-party.
☐ Ask if your insurer allows public adjuster involvement (some limit this).
☐ Determine average claim response time in your area.

💡 Tip: Your agent should act as your advocate, not just a salesperson.

💼 10. Policy Add-Ons and Endorsements

☐ Ask about Extended Replacement Cost (adds 10–50% to your dwelling limit).
☐ Add Ordinance or Law Coverage for rebuilding to updated codes.
☐ Consider Inflation Guard to keep up with rising construction costs.
☐ Add Service Line Coverage (for buried pipes and wiring).
☐ Add Equipment Breakdown Coverage (HVAC, appliances, electronics).
☐ Add Water Backup coverage for sump pump or sewer overflow.
☐ Add Identity Theft protection and Cyber Coverage (for smart home tech).
☐ Review Loss Assessment coverage (for condo or HOA owners).

💡 Tip: Most policy upgrades are inexpensive compared to the protection they add.

🧮 11. Valuation and Appraisal

☐ Request a full replacement cost appraisal every 2–3 years.
☐ Verify your coverage keeps pace with current construction costs.
☐ Ask for a coverage-to-replacement ratio breakdown from your insurer.
☐ Ensure appraisals include all structural features, not just square footage.
☐ Get written documentation of any policy value updates.

💡 Tip: An outdated valuation is one of the biggest causes of underinsurance.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 12. Family and Asset Updates

☐ Update your policy when you renovate, remodel, or add new structures.
☐ Add new valuable purchases (furniture, jewelry, appliances).
☐ Update coverage after major life events — marriage, divorce, inheritance.
☐ Include household dependents or roommates if applicable.
☐ Reconfirm who’s listed as named insureds on the policy.

💡 Tip: Never wait until after a disaster to update coverage for new additions.

📞 13. Review Frequency & Record Keeping

☐ Review your policy every 12 months — more often if property value changes.
☐ Keep your latest policy copy in both print and digital formats.
☐ Store policies in a fireproof safe or cloud folder labeled “Insurance Documents.”
☐ Document any conversations or promises from your agent in writing.
☐ Record renewal dates in your calendar with alerts 30 days in advance.

💡 Tip: Schedule your review during renewal month — it keeps everything aligned and updated.

✅ 14. After a Fire or Major Loss

☐ Contact your insurance company immediately — within 24 hours.
☐ Ask for your adjuster’s name, phone, and claim number.
☐ Request an advance payment for emergency expenses if needed.
☐ Keep a claim journal with call logs and notes.
☐ Take dated photos of all damage before cleanup.
☐ Review your coverage limits and endorsements during your claim process.
☐ Ask about supplemental claims for hidden or delayed damage.

💡 Tip: Keep copies of all correspondence — digital and printed — for your records.

🧠 15. Final Homeowner Action Steps

☐ Review all sections of this checklist yearly.
☐ Schedule a call with your agent for clarification on unclear terms.
☐ Update policy limits after home improvements or inflation spikes.
☐ Reassess coverage after each major purchase or life change.
☐ Store all insurance documents in your House Fire Solutions Recovery Binder.
☐ Keep a digital copy of this checklist for annual updates.

💡 Remember: Insurance is only valuable if it reflects your real needs — not what you thought you needed five years ago.