Sylvia K. Alston ("Cousin Syl"):
A loss is common during renovations. Why?
A loss is common during renovations. Why?
- usually a lot of flammable material on the premise
- an increased amt of acetone, paint thinner, etc.
- more people & subcontractors who smoke around the flammable material
- there will be vacancies & the building will not be watched
- it will be exposed in a way that it is not normally exposed
- smoke alarms could be detached while it's being worked on
- buildings that have pipes are disconnected
All of the services that you use to put in place to tell you that something could be wrong are generally detached during renovations.
Before renovations:
Tell your insurance agent, broker, or insurance company.
If you don't, you might not be covered. Anytime there's a material change to the contract, it is your responsibility to tell them.
Tell your insurance agent, broker, or insurance company.
If you don't, you might not be covered. Anytime there's a material change to the contract, it is your responsibility to tell them.
Why is it important to pay for the extra insurance?
If anything happens, (ex. contractor does bad work), you want the contractor to be liable for the work, not you. You will want the insurance company to handle the situation.
If anything happens, (ex. contractor does bad work), you want the contractor to be liable for the work, not you. You will want the insurance company to handle the situation.
Important things to remember:
- Always have a portable fire extinguisher, preferably multi-purpose ABC model of at least 10 pounds, on every premise.
- Get certificates of liability for proof of insurance coverage. When you receive the estimate, give it to your insurance company and then get their certificate of insurance.
- Think about fire & water damage. Pipes and valves will be disconnected. Make sure they turn the water off. (Bad scenario: Pipes turned back on but water was not turned off. The water starts to run but they have already left the premises and the water has been running all night.) What happens if the smoke alarm is disconnected?
- Install a fire & burglar alarm system.
- Install a motion-activated lighting & perimeter fencing.
- Do not allow people to smoke on your premise.
- Remove any combustible debris from the construction site every single day.
- Store paint solvents or any other flammable liquids safely.
- Properly dispose any stained cloths or work clothes off site every single day.
Question received on twitter:
Should you get additional insurance for roof siding and a new bathroom?
Are you going to be out of the house for longer than a weekend? Is it going to change the value of the property for more than $10,000? Will there be contractors on the premises for longer than a weekend? If yes, to any of these questions, notify your insurance provider.
Should you get additional insurance for roof siding and a new bathroom?
Are you going to be out of the house for longer than a weekend? Is it going to change the value of the property for more than $10,000? Will there be contractors on the premises for longer than a weekend? If yes, to any of these questions, notify your insurance provider.
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