Q: I read in the January Observer about the house fire at Johnny’s Speakeasy and his insurer not covering the cost of replacing the house. Is there anything that homeowners can do to protect themselves from this?
A: Homes are usually insured for “replacement cost.” Speakeasy owner Johnny Williams had such a policy, but his friend and local contractor Doug Selby told us he thought it would be impossible to rebuild the house for the amount his insurer offered. The best advice we can find is to work with an insurance agent who will go to bat for you if needed—and enlist a knowledgeable contractor for factual backup.
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