Review Your Home Insurance Coverage Before Disaster Strikes

Fire coverage is certainly top of mind after the recent Marshall Fire and the many forest fires over the past decade. First, check to see if you have enough coverage to rebuild in the event of a total loss. Many affected by the Marshall Fire thought they were adequately covered, only to be disappointed when rebuilding costs skyrocketed. It’s also important to find out if your policy includes any kind of replacement cost   guarantee.

Second, review what kind of coverage you have for temporary housing. The Marshall Fire made it clear that rebuilding can take much longer than expected. As of May 2025, some families in Louisville and Superior still haven’t been able to move back in. If your policy only provides one year of coverage—or has low limits—the out-of-pocket expenses can be significant. Most families needed at least an extra year of housing support. Just like construction costs, rents for temporary housing surged after the fire. Be sure your policy accounts for the potential spike in post-disaster rental rates.

Third, take a look at your personal property coverage—the part of your policy that covers items like TVs, furniture, clothing, and more. Ask your agent whether you need special coverage for high-value items such as art, jewelry, or sports equipment. With that in mind, make sure you have a complete inventory of your home’s contents, backed up with photos or video, and stored in a safe, offsite location.

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2025 marks the 12th anniversary of the Great Flood of 2013, making it a good time to review your flood coverage and consider what you may need. In general, standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage—you’ll need separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by FEMA. It’s also important to understand the limitations of this program, as coverage amounts may fall well short of what you’d actually need in a serious flood event. One key lesson from the 2013 flood: homeowner policies that included sewer backup or failed sump pump coverage proved incredibly valuable. Check with your insurance agent to review what your current policy includes and what additional coverage might be necessary to better protect your home in the event of another flood.

Colorado is known for its frequent wind and hail. Over the past decade, insurance companies have paid out significant amounts for hail damage. As a result, many policies are no longer as straightforward as paying a $1,000 deductible with the rest covered in the event of a total roof loss. Be sure to check with your insurance agent and have them calculate, based on your specific policy, how much you would be responsible for if your roof were a total loss. In some cases, there may be a separate

rider for hail and wind damage. Make sure you fully understand what coverage you have.  Being Prepared Check with your insurance agent about what steps you can take today to make your life easier in the event of a disaster. A great first step is to create a complete inventory of everything in your home— written down and supplemented with photos or videos. Store this information in an offsite location, such as Dropbox or another secure cloud service. Protect important documents and valuables in a fireproof safe, especially in case you don’t have time to return home. You might also consider keeping critical items in a safety deposit box. Homeowners in fire-prone mountain areas often maintain an evacuation checklist for each room in the house—something we now know is wise for all of us. During the Marshall Fire, few could have imagined a blaze moving so quickly through a city. When flames reached Costco in Superior, it became difficult to think clearly about what to grab. A friend told me the only thing he thought to take was his new skis—still unused.

Services like Wildfire Partners can assess your property and offer practical tips to improve its chances of surviving a wildfire. Ask your insurance agent for a recommendation. If you or the fire department can’t be there to defend your home, you’ll at least know you’ve done everything you can to protect it.