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An estimated 95% of homeowners have home insurance in the US. That means that approximately 3.5 million homeowners are currently uninsured.
Are you a homeowner that has let your insurance policy lapse? The reality is that once you need home insurance, you're going to wish you'd paid those home insurance premiums. Now, you're facing a serious state of financial vulnerability.
What happens if your house burns down and you have no insurance? It's already a big enough loss to lose your home and everything in it. What else do you stand to lose without coverage?
Read on to learn more about the problems that can arise if you don't have home insurance. We'll also talk about what to do if you don't.
Home insurance protects you from the financial burden of an unexpected disaster or emergency. A standard home insurance policy includes:
You can also purchase additional home insurance policies to cover region-specific natural disasters. Depending on where you live, you may want to consider add-ons like flood or earthquake insurance. In a state like Massachusetts, flood insurance is more practical than earthquake insurance.
When, if ever, are you required to have a home insurance policy as a homeowner? The truth is that, unlike car insurance, it's not regulated by law. However, that doesn't mean it's never required (or that you should forgo it at any time).
Most mortgage lenders will require you to purchase a home insurance policy. This protects the interest of the lender by guaranteeing that you'll be able to repair or recover your home in the event of a disaster.
What if you finish paying off your mortgage and are no longer required to pay for home insurance? What if your policy lapsed and your lender hasn't seemed to notice? You should still maintain coverage, or it could become a bigger problem than you were expecting.
What happens if your house burns down and you don't have home insurance? Let's talk about a few possible outcomes.
If you haven't paid off your mortgage, losing your home to a house fire won't make it vanish.
Suppose your lender discovers that you don't have insurance and this was a requirement to secure the mortgage. In that case, they will choose a new insurance policy for you with higher premiums and a higher deductible. You may or may not be able to get retroactive coverage to repair the damage.
Unfortunately, you won't just have mortgage payments to worry about.
In most cases, home insurance would cover at least part of the cost to repair your home. It would also cover the cost of temporary housing if your house is unlivable before repairs are complete. Without insurance, all of these costs will fall on you.
As we mentioned earlier, home insurance doesn't only cover the cost of your home. It also covers the belongings and assets you keep there. Without home insurance, you will have no assistance building back up your necessities or recovering your assets.
As you can imagine, losing a house to a house fire without any home insurance can lead to serious debt. Most homeowners cannot afford all the expenses mentioned above and may have to file for bankruptcy. Are there any solutions or recourse for homeowners who find themselves in this situation?
Do you suspect that your home was burned down by another person? You may be able to sue that person for damages and recover at least some of your losses.
It may be hard to win a property damage claim or lawsuit if you believe that someone burned your home down. You will need to prove negligence or foul play, which can be tricky. If you believe that someone caused the fire, consult an experienced attorney.
There are a few avenues to consider that may yield financial aid. Taking out a personal loan is one of them, but only if necessary. Loans tend to come with big interest rates, and some lenders behave in a predatory way toward people who are in a desperate situation.
Find out if there are any charities or organizations that can help before seeking a loan. For example, if your home was lost to a wildfire, you may qualify for assistance from organizations like the Red Cross.
What happens if your house burns down and you have no insurance? It's hard enough to lose your home and belongings, as it is. Don't make matters worse by leaving yourself and your property unprotected.
If you're ready to start shopping for home insurance in Cambridge, we're here to help. Econosurance has over 25 years of experience providing Cambridge residents with everything from home insurance to health insurance.
Contact us to find out how we can protect you, your home, your car, and more.
