Different companies different rules, mine was State Farm. Very happy with them.
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Lost everything in a fire.
- Thread starter Warrensparadise
- Start date
Different companies different rules, mine was State Farm. Very happy with them.
After hurricane sandy the only people getting paid we’re those with public adjusters. Not perfect but I’m sure they got us more than 20 percent more and much faster. Need to find a good one fast as they book up fast whe this happens.
They are called public adjusters ....
I would never use one .. they take a percentage .. often 20%.
59 wagon man
Well-known member
get a public adjuster my story insurance offered $3800 for a leak ,PA countered with $27000. insurance countered with $15000 minus his 20% still left me with $8000 more.
OP
Warrensparadise
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2012
- Messages
- 15
Happy Thanksgiving and Thank you all for the great insights.
I have had initial contact from the insurance company adjuster, he was friendly and empathetic but of course it likely always starts that way. Time will tell what the insurance company will cover and what may be covered by FEMA as “uninsured losses”. I think the most painful part for me personally is even if I am financially “made whole” nothing can replace the decades I spent chasing rare parts and items. [emoji25]
It’s hard because I feel bad for feeling bad as so many others lost absolutely everything while I only lost nearly everything.
Hope you all get to spend thanksgiving with your loved ones.
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I have had initial contact from the insurance company adjuster, he was friendly and empathetic but of course it likely always starts that way. Time will tell what the insurance company will cover and what may be covered by FEMA as “uninsured losses”. I think the most painful part for me personally is even if I am financially “made whole” nothing can replace the decades I spent chasing rare parts and items. [emoji25]
It’s hard because I feel bad for feeling bad as so many others lost absolutely everything while I only lost nearly everything.
Hope you all get to spend thanksgiving with your loved ones.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
get a public adjuster my story insurance offered $3800 for a leak ,PA countered with $27000. insurance countered with $15000 minus his 20% still left me with $8000 more.
Why would you settle for $3800 -- what would it cost to fix? Sorry -- this is a typical -- as an insured you have to be proactive. Especially with a small claim like yours.
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After hurricane sandy the only people getting paid we’re those with public adjusters. Not perfect but I’m sure they got us more than 20 percent more and much faster. Need to find a good one fast as they book up fast whe this happens.
You don't know what you don't know .. that's the problem?
Insurance companies love claimants that are trying to get cash vs fix things .... fixing is what gets all the claim.
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DGersic
Well-known member
After hurricane sandy the only people getting paid we’re those with public adjusters. Not perfect but I’m sure they got us more than 20 percent more and much faster. Need to find a good one fast as they book up fast whe this happens.
Bunk. Our place had the insurance company guy out to see it almost immediately. Cut us a check for everything we claimed. He even goofed and added R&R of drywall and insulation, which we didn’t have and didn’t claim. We returned that money to the insurance company.
No public adjuster needed. Not even any arguing.
I know, not everyone post Sandy had such an easy time with the insurance companies, but that was the easy part for us.
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The hardest thing to do in any claim ..is wait. But, it takes time to wrap your head around what is going on .... and the process is time consuming. As I said above -- the better companies help you make the inventory -- help to find you matching housing. Hire an architect and proper people to stabilize and protect what remaining.
The mass market companies are more "show me" when it comes to contents. They don't help you as much ... Also: once a PA is involved there is no incentive for the insurance adjuster to jump through hoops ... he waits for the PA report. Why go overboard .. the bar is not any higher vs what the PA comes in at. All too often the PA is pushing cash out .. and that benefits the PA .... PA's are great at convincing the insured that they made out like bandits.
The mass market companies are more "show me" when it comes to contents. They don't help you as much ... Also: once a PA is involved there is no incentive for the insurance adjuster to jump through hoops ... he waits for the PA report. Why go overboard .. the bar is not any higher vs what the PA comes in at. All too often the PA is pushing cash out .. and that benefits the PA .... PA's are great at convincing the insured that they made out like bandits.
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C2tuck
Well-known member
I had a garage fire a almost 4 years ago and it totally leveled where the garage once was. It was detached and about 10’ away from the house. The house did get some major damage, not so much from the fire, but from water damage putting the fire out. It was a total gut job and as stated previously, would have been much easier to rebuild from scratch. My insurance adjuster didn’t want to bring the house up to code due to cost (house was built in early 1900’s). He eventually lost that argument and they paid the max our policy covered. We were also underinsured.
The personal property adjuster walked up to all the rubble and said “just make me a list”. I did a spreadsheet like suggested above and just kept adding to it for weeks it seemed before submitting it. It was paid in full very quickly.
He did say that anything that required a title would have to be covered under its own policy or it wouldn’t have been paid for.
My advise, make a list of EVERYTHING you can think of. Sit on it and add to it as things come to you. You will obviously max out your policy, so look and see what you are covered for. Stick to your guns as the insurance company will try and get you to accept a lower offer on some things.
When it comes to rebuilding your house, again stick to your guns on the amount. Get bids for what needs to be replaced (roof, siding, sheetrock, electrical etc...)
Once it comes time to get the work started and you have decided on who you are going to have do the work, I would literally have each contractor (if your going to sub it yourself) sign a contract agreeing on price and timeframe to be completed. Have them agree to getting 50% payment up front, with the other 50% to be paid upon 100% satisfactorily completion. I got screwed by most on what I paid vs what their bid was.
Don’t use any family or friends to do the work...I don’t care how good the deal is supposed to be...Im speaking from experience here...
It *****, but you will get through it.
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The personal property adjuster walked up to all the rubble and said “just make me a list”. I did a spreadsheet like suggested above and just kept adding to it for weeks it seemed before submitting it. It was paid in full very quickly.
He did say that anything that required a title would have to be covered under its own policy or it wouldn’t have been paid for.
My advise, make a list of EVERYTHING you can think of. Sit on it and add to it as things come to you. You will obviously max out your policy, so look and see what you are covered for. Stick to your guns as the insurance company will try and get you to accept a lower offer on some things.
When it comes to rebuilding your house, again stick to your guns on the amount. Get bids for what needs to be replaced (roof, siding, sheetrock, electrical etc...)
Once it comes time to get the work started and you have decided on who you are going to have do the work, I would literally have each contractor (if your going to sub it yourself) sign a contract agreeing on price and timeframe to be completed. Have them agree to getting 50% payment up front, with the other 50% to be paid upon 100% satisfactorily completion. I got screwed by most on what I paid vs what their bid was.
Don’t use any family or friends to do the work...I don’t care how good the deal is supposed to be...Im speaking from experience here...
It *****, but you will get through it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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59 wagon man
Well-known member
my point was the pa got me more because as a homeowner you are not aware of every little clause and exclusion. yes I could have fought and maybe got all the $15,000 but how much time would it take? I have dealt with insurance numerous times both personally and professionally and they love to delay as much as possible so figuring what amount of my paycheck I would haave had to lose to fight it was easier to give it to himWhy would you settle for $3800 -- what would it cost to fix? Sorry -- this is a typical -- as an insured you have to be proactive. Especially with a small claim like yours.
ps- leak was a shower pan which leaked onto a brand new oak floor causing it to lift
Mike in Ohio
Well-known member
Warren I can't even imagine what you are going through. My shop was broken into a couple of years ago and they got a way with a lot of stuff. This may help a little, if you can spend some time in the wreckage, just try visualize it as it was and as you "look" at it list the tools, don't forget things like saw blades, drill bits, and other little things. Think about past projects and what specialty tools you have bought thinking it will come in handy later. You mentioned a parts stash, that may be tougher, maybe try to remember trips and connect parts to where you went. these are some of the things I did, but I did still have the building which made these things easier.
We have state farm insurance, I don't remember all of the particulars, but they depreciated the tools based on age, but they paid 100% on replacements. As an example my Dewalt circular saw was about 14 years old, they paid 50% on it. I replaced it with a Milwaukee that is more similar to the Dewalt I had than anything Dewalt now offers. I sent State Farm the receipt and they reimbursed me the balance. They did this with everything, my old Lincoln 225 stick welder, I think dad paid like $99 for it back in the 70s, I got a brand new one. This was the only upside to this ordeal, that old welder was worn out.
A lot will depend on your policy, and who it is with. I hope you have as good of luck with your insurance as I did. I hope some of this helps you, good luck on your rebuilds.
We have state farm insurance, I don't remember all of the particulars, but they depreciated the tools based on age, but they paid 100% on replacements. As an example my Dewalt circular saw was about 14 years old, they paid 50% on it. I replaced it with a Milwaukee that is more similar to the Dewalt I had than anything Dewalt now offers. I sent State Farm the receipt and they reimbursed me the balance. They did this with everything, my old Lincoln 225 stick welder, I think dad paid like $99 for it back in the 70s, I got a brand new one. This was the only upside to this ordeal, that old welder was worn out.
A lot will depend on your policy, and who it is with. I hope you have as good of luck with your insurance as I did. I hope some of this helps you, good luck on your rebuilds.
Tunajoe
Well-known member
PoorOwner. There has been much angst from the citizens about the width of roadways. A few years back in reaction to a couple of pedestrians being hit in and outside of crosswalks the town acquired a grant for “public safety” which added I believe four or five lit crosswalks to the main thoroughfare. The town council also adopted a resolution (and I believe also funded through the public safety grant) to reduce the number of lanes through town on Skyway, the main thoroughfare from four to two. This gave the opportunity to “cutesy-pie” up the downtown area. It looked nice but became an absolute bottleneck for traffic during peak traffic times. There have been numerous, likely hundreds of complaints and cries to return it to four lanes with no action from the town council. Collectively they simply state that the reduced traffic lanes are responsible for the stretch of road not resulting in any deaths since its change, and therefor it is doing as designed and making the town safer.
I’ll let history be the deciding factor as to whether this was truly a safety benefit to the town and all areas uphill from that point.
Additionally there is information that the three major arterial leaving town were to be used “contraflow” in an emergency so all lanes would leads out of town. There are news articles stating this was done. Unfortunately I have photo evidence showing otherwise.
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So sorry to hear about your loss and that of the community.
We narrowly escaped the Thomas Fire last year here in Ojai.
I was under the impression that only CalTrans could reduce or increase the number of road lanes?
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Warrensparadise, I'm sorry that you're going through such an event. I have no idea what you must be going through, but I deal daily with people having the worst day of their life. Having gone through my own life changing events I can only offer a little advice. It's one day at a time and one foot in front of the other. I don't know how to lead up to it, and I don't know how to say it without sounding like an *** or dismissive or unempathetic, so I'll throw it out - while it does not feel so at this time, your life is wide open. You can take your circumstance and let it drag you, or you can take it and end up in places you never thought you'd dream. You decide. And yes, while it is an uphill battle, and yes there are only uncertainties on the horizon, each step you take and each decision to make with thought and care, will get you to a place you didn't know you could be and you will be ok, in fact you will thrive. Stay the course, even on the hard days.
A**holes Garage
Banned
Sorry to hear this, can't imagine what you have gone through. I hope I never have to experience such devastation.
In my case, I have no idea the amount of my tools, estimated cost or their replacement cost. I've recently decided to use an inventory software program to inventory these items in the even of a theft or fire. Would come in handy if the worst happens, good information for the insurance company anyway.
Wishing you the best!
In my case, I have no idea the amount of my tools, estimated cost or their replacement cost. I've recently decided to use an inventory software program to inventory these items in the even of a theft or fire. Would come in handy if the worst happens, good information for the insurance company anyway.
Wishing you the best!
I had a garage fire a almost 4 years ago and it totally leveled where the garage once was. It was detached and about 10’ away from the house. The house did get some major damage, not so much from the fire, but from water damage putting the fire out. It was a total gut job and as stated previously, would have been much easier to rebuild from scratch. My insurance adjuster didn’t want to bring the house up to code due to cost (house was built in early 1900’s). He eventually lost that argument and they paid the max our policy covered. We were also underinsured.
The personal property adjuster walked up to all the rubble and said “just make me a list”. I did a spreadsheet like suggested above and just kept adding to it for weeks it seemed before submitting it. It was paid in full very quickly.
He did say that anything that required a title would have to be covered under its own policy or it wouldn’t have been paid for.
My advise, make a list of EVERYTHING you can think of. Sit on it and add to it as things come to you. You will obviously max out your policy, so look and see what you are covered for. Stick to your guns as the insurance company will try and get you to accept a lower offer on some things.
When it comes to rebuilding your house, again stick to your guns on the amount. Get bids for what needs to be replaced (roof, siding, sheetrock, electrical etc...)
Once it comes time to get the work started and you have decided on who you are going to have do the work, I would literally have each contractor (if your going to sub it yourself) sign a contract agreeing on price and timeframe to be completed. Have them agree to getting 50% payment up front, with the other 50% to be paid upon 100% satisfactorily completion. I got screwed by most on what I paid vs what their bid was.
Don’t use any family or friends to do the work...I don’t care how good the deal is supposed to be...Im speaking from experience here...
It *****, but you will get through it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You encountered the dangers of having incorrect insurance The first paragraph is a bit confusing -- if you don't have code upgrade ... they don't pay. As one works through a large claim the number naturally increase .. it sounds like your limits were too low and you maxed out the policy. In some cases if you are close to the limits it's easier for the adjuster to simply "pay the limits". Same goes with contents -- low limits carry over to contents and if in a reasonable level its easier to pay.
my point was the pa got me more because as a homeowner you are not aware of every little clause and exclusion. yes I could have fought and maybe got all the $15,000 but how much time would it take? I have dealt with insurance numerous times both personally and professionally and they love to delay as much as possible so figuring what amount of my paycheck I would haave had to lose to fight it was easier to give it to him
ps- leak was a shower pan which leaked onto a brand new oak floor causing it to lift
I'm not sure what "every little clause" refers ... you read the policy and ask questions. I also have no idea what amount of time was saved ... the 20% came from somewhere.
Your claim was small - giving away 20% plus extra expenses early in a large claim can be disastrous.
K13
Well-known member
Interesting. Years back I spoke with my insurance company about coverage on my ‘66 Mustang project. He told me if I had proof with receipts or photos of parts in my garage it would be covered, new or used. As soon as I registered and running, the vehicle it is no longer covered under homeowners.
They also warned me that as soon as it was close to being done, start the auto policy. It becomes a gray area between a project and just a disabled car off the road for repairs.
That is interesting because I don't believe that is the case with most policies . I have heard of numerous projects that were lost in garage fires, floods, thefts etc not being covered if not insured separately. I would think if your agent was indeed correct it would be the exception rather than the rule.
I would double check (and by double check I mean read your policy) if you still have the project. I know someone that was told he was covered by the agent and then when he had a fire they told him to pound sand on all his car stuff.
https://roadscholars.com/is-your-project-car-insured/
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gtsgarage
Well-known member
Very sorry! Fires are one of my biggest worries for loss of property and life.
Not for the OP so much but for some discussing. I always cover project cars with project insurance from Hagerty.
Not for the OP so much but for some discussing. I always cover project cars with project insurance from Hagerty.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
Wife was freaking out when I had hit the $25K mark on spending. She had me making calls ASAP as soon as she figured out the cost.
Now I’m paying about $350 a year for classic car insurance through Heacock Ins. I think I have it valued at either $32K or $35K. I need to revisit the value this year.
Now I’m paying about $350 a year for classic car insurance through Heacock Ins. I think I have it valued at either $32K or $35K. I need to revisit the value this year.
6768rogues
Banned
I am truly sorry for your loss, fortunately you got out with your life. Many did not.
I am curious how your place caught on fire. Was it from fire spreading through underbrush and lighting up the side of your buildings or did hot embers drop on the roof? Do you think that clearing out brush, removing dead trees and other forest management and having buildings with noncombustible exterior surfaces would help? Building codes are reactive, not proactive. Losses are what drive changes to building codes, and there could be new codes coming to help reduce fire losses in places that experience fire loss at higher than normal rates. Where I live, we have to build for snow loads. At my FL house, we had to build for hurricanes. I would not be surprised to see building codes in your area change to require more fire resistant materials. I hope forest management and building codes change so that the chance of a fire happening again is diminished. Again, I am sorry for your loss and I hope we learn from it.
I am curious how your place caught on fire. Was it from fire spreading through underbrush and lighting up the side of your buildings or did hot embers drop on the roof? Do you think that clearing out brush, removing dead trees and other forest management and having buildings with noncombustible exterior surfaces would help? Building codes are reactive, not proactive. Losses are what drive changes to building codes, and there could be new codes coming to help reduce fire losses in places that experience fire loss at higher than normal rates. Where I live, we have to build for snow loads. At my FL house, we had to build for hurricanes. I would not be surprised to see building codes in your area change to require more fire resistant materials. I hope forest management and building codes change so that the chance of a fire happening again is diminished. Again, I am sorry for your loss and I hope we learn from it.
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C2tuck
Well-known member
You encountered the dangers of having incorrect insurance The first paragraph is a bit confusing -- if you don't have code upgrade ... they don't pay. As one works through a large claim the number naturally increase .. it sounds like your limits were too low and you maxed out the policy. In some cases if you are close to the limits it's easier for the adjuster to simply "pay the limits". Same goes with contents -- low limits carry over to contents and if in a reasonable level its easier to pay.
Not true. If the city code supersedes the code that the house was in at the time of loss, then it has to be brought up to code per the city. Never heard of code upgrade in a policy. Not saying it doesn’t exist, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it.
As I stated, we were under insured. That said, if I actually paid for the insurance I needed it would be 4x the premium to do so. I still maxed out the policy at over $350k and got everything I wanted done however, it did take a portion of my personal property coverage to do so. I just paid to replace everything that didn’t end up being “covered”.
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ScottsGT
Well-known member
Not knowing the exacts of my policy right now, we had a killer hail storm 4.5 years back. Everyone in my area got a new roof.
Adjuster told me they had to pay for the code upgrade on the frost/drip barrier. A simple 3X3 sheet metal flashing along all edges.
I had to pay for the rotted wood replacement though.
Adjuster told me they had to pay for the code upgrade on the frost/drip barrier. A simple 3X3 sheet metal flashing along all edges.
I had to pay for the rotted wood replacement though.
FordTruckWench
Well-known member
I would not be surprised to see building codes in your area change to require more fire resistant materials.
There already is a recently new California fire related building code. I've perused it at the library. Unfortunately, it doesn't specify specific materials that are approved. Instead, it appears that almost everything needs to be certified / approved / engineered.
This newish code might be why almost all new projects by megabuilders seem to be using stucco. (Or it might be that stucco is cheap, covers a multitude of sins, and integrates well with earthquake and energy efficiency standards.)
Lost my entire house 12/11/2017, the only possessions not destroyed were the clothes on our backs and our 2 vehicles. Had Allstate as an insurance company, hopefully you insured through them. No hassle at all, got everything replaced, built a way better house up to the current code, and had money left over to pay off the mortgage, and also have $40k left in the bank as of this writing. If it's a total loss, Allstate steps up and pays the policy maximums, no questions asked.
log man
Well-known member
Here is a good read on properly describing your items. I hope I never need to do this....
https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfi...amily_of_5_lost_everything_in_a_fire/cziljy3/
https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfi...amily_of_5_lost_everything_in_a_fire/cziljy3/
reader2580
Well-known member
Lost my entire house 12/11/2017, the only possessions not destroyed were the clothes on our backs and our 2 vehicles. Had Allstate as an insurance company, hopefully you insured through them. No hassle at all, got everything replaced, built a way better house up to the current code, and had money left over to pay off the mortgage, and also have $40k left in the bank as of this writing. If it's a total loss, Allstate steps up and pays the policy maximums, no questions asked.
You got lucky. Most fire losses seem to result in the insured fighting the insurance company and typically paying out of pocket more than just the deductible.
I thought insurance companies normally don't pay out more than it cost to rebuild the structure and replace the contents? If I decided to build a smaller house as a replacement I don't think my insurance would pay me cash for building smaller than the original house.
.... If I decided to build a smaller house as a replacement I don't think my insurance would pay me cash for building smaller than the original house.
They should pay what it would cost to rebuild as is regardless of what you end up building. Commercialism has encroached around three sides of our property and I know if we suffered a total loss I would not spend 200K to rebuild here. The land is worth the same with or without a house (maybe more without). Another example; if you had a vehicle with a real value of 50K and it was totaled and you only wanted to replace it with a budget daily driver for 20K, why shouldn't you get the full 50K you were insured for? Maybe it was a third vehicle and you don't replace it all- still get the 50K.
Not true. If the city code supersedes the code that the house was in at the time of loss, then it has to be brought up to code per the city. Never heard of code upgrade in a policy. Not saying it doesn’t exist, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it.
As I stated, we were under insured. That said, if I actually paid for the insurance I needed it would be 4x the premium to do so. I still maxed out the policy at over $350k and got everything I wanted done however, it did take a portion of my personal property coverage to do so. I just paid to replace everything that didn’t end up being “covered”.
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What's not true ?
If the adjuster did not want to pay for code upgrades ... you must not have had it on the policy. Many policies don't -- it's one of those items that saves money until you need it. The cost is the cost to be properly insured ... people come on and ask what they should look for when buying insurance. I'm trying to explain .. as a policyholder you need to understand what's needed -- if you can't afford the insurance .. well, at least you will know what you are giving up.
Your adjuster paid the limits of that portion of the policy ...not the cost to rebuild the property.
Lost my entire house 12/11/2017, the only possessions not destroyed were the clothes on our backs and our 2 vehicles. Had Allstate as an insurance company, hopefully you insured through them. No hassle at all, got everything replaced, built a way better house up to the current code, and had money left over to pay off the mortgage, and also have $40k left in the bank as of this writing. If it's a total loss, Allstate steps up and pays the policy maximums, no questions asked.
That's what they should do .. the contents should require some inventory .... but, that depend on your percentage and other factors. The house type and overall value matter as well. Allstate is not typically the best player with anything unusual.
It's difficult to argue when it's a total loss.
They should pay what it would cost to rebuild as is regardless of what you end up building. Commercialism has encroached around three sides of our property and I know if we suffered a total loss I would not spend 200K to rebuild here. The land is worth the same with or without a house (maybe more without). Another example; if you had a vehicle with a real value of 50K and it was totaled and you only wanted to replace it with a budget daily driver for 20K, why shouldn't you get the full 50K you were insured for? Maybe it was a third vehicle and you don't replace it all- still get the 50K.
It all depends on the company and the insurance. It's not the same as a car. Some companies depreciate and only pay full if it's rebuilt.
What you think should happen has no relevance ...
That's what the older you are or the more stuff you have the more important it is to have beer insurance that pays cash. Some people move.
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
my house burned to the ground 15 years ago, total loss.
for garage content, they covered ALL my tools, as I was a non professional. I lost my mustang ( not insured, was building it ), and a ton of parts. homeowners would NOT cover the car or the parts, even though it was in the garage , I would have needed to use the auto policy for the car.
for garage content, they covered ALL my tools, as I was a non professional. I lost my mustang ( not insured, was building it ), and a ton of parts. homeowners would NOT cover the car or the parts, even though it was in the garage , I would have needed to use the auto policy for the car.
Sorry for the loss, but glad you got out safely. I have never suffered a devastating loss such as this but have had two friends whose house and garages were burned to the ground. One was from the fireplace ash setting the house on fire and the other was from an electrical issue. After helping them out I have come to the conclusion that the variables such as type of policy, whether you use an adjuster, what level of destruction occurred, and documentation all greatly affect the outcome. Just a couple of notes:
Best of luck and don't give up
- Don't take the first offer unless the company is paying out at the maximum
- Get an adjuster if the insurance company is delaying and buying time
- Look at your online postings with pictures - often they contain items and will prove you had the tool or whatever.
- Check any stores you have purchased from - many stores can look up by credit card. This will only go back so far, but might help.
- Don't take any partial payments - often endorsing a check constitutes payment in full
- My friend's car and boat were covered by separate policies and not classified as "contents"
Best of luck and don't give up
reader2580
Well-known member
They should pay what it would cost to rebuild as is regardless of what you end up building.
Replacement value is typically predicated on actually replacing the item that is insured. If I had a 1,300 square foot house and replaced it with 800 square feet I would think the insurance company could argue they replaced the house.
I know most of the time if you choose not to replace an item then you get the depreciated value and not the replacement value.
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
I know most of the time if you choose not to replace an item then you get the depreciated value and not the replacement value.
not in florida. I got 100% replacement value for all the household items.
my house burned to the ground 15 years ago, total loss.
for garage content, they covered ALL my tools, as I was a non professional. I lost my mustang ( not insured, was building it ), and a ton of parts. homeowners would NOT cover the car or the parts, even though it was in the garage , I would have needed to use the auto policy for the car.
Tools not used in or for a business are considered contents. They are subject to whatever your policy says about valuing and paying -- just like any another content.
Problems arise when people have many tools and there is a sub-limit for tools -- say 5k. If you own less then 5k of tools -- you may never notice that this was part of the policy. If you have 30k in tools .. you now have a problem. Some people don't know the amount and are thrilled when a coma pays the sub-limit and they have 5k in their pocket.
I have at least 15k of snap-on tool boxes -- bought for a fraction of the full retail when the crash hit in 2007. I'm a hobbyist -- they are filled with expensive german tools and snap-on .... have no idea the current value. I'm in my mid 50's and I can assure you should they get stolen or destroyed in a fire I would never replace them. Many policies would only give me 50% of the current value should I say to the adjuster .. I want a check and am not going to replace. Others would allow more ... only a very few would provide a cash payment at current replacement cost. Seeing "replacement" in your policy does not typically mean the same to an insurance company as it does to the insured.
not in florida. I got 100% replacement value for all the household items.
It's not a statewide policy -- I have property and when I was looking there were the typical options .. ACV -- replacement -- extended replacement.