Fire Insurance Claims Reference Guide

Last Updated: August 2026 (verified against ISO forms, the Standard Fire Policy and statutes)

Coverage Fundamentals

Fire Coverage Under ISO Homeowners Policies

Policy Form	Fire Coverage Type	Personal Property	Notes
HO-2 (Broad Form)	Named Peril	Named Peril	Fire is listed peril
HO-3 (Special Form)	Open Peril (Dwelling)	Named Peril	Fire covered unless specifically excluded
HO-5 (Comprehensive)	Open Peril	Open Peril	Broadest coverage
HO-6 (Condo)	Named Peril	Named Peril	Unit owner coverage
HO-8 (Modified)	Named Peril	Named Peril	Older/historic homes

[NC DOI Consumer Guide to Homeowners Insurance (coverage chart for HO 00 02 through HO 00 08): https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers-guide-homeowners-insurance/open]

Fire Coverage Components

Coverage Section	What It Covers	Typical Limit
Coverage A - Dwelling	Structure, attached fixtures, built-in appliances	Full replacement cost
Coverage B - Other Structures	Detached garage, shed, fences	10% of Coverage A (ISO HO-3 default)
Coverage C - Personal Property	Contents, furniture, clothing	50% of Coverage A (ISO HO-3 default; 70% is common on HO-5)
Coverage D - Loss of Use	ALE while home is uninhabitable	30% of Coverage A (ISO HO-3 default; 20% on HO-2/HO-8 and some carrier forms)
Additional Coverages	Debris removal, fire department service charge, trees/shrubs	See "Debris Removal Coverage" below

Types of Fire Losses

Loss Type	Definition	Settlement Basis
Total Loss	Structure destroyed or repair cost exceeds value	Valued Policy Law states: Full policy limit (see table below); elsewhere policy terms (ACV/RCV)
Constructive Total Loss	Repair cost exceeds specified percentage of value	State-specific threshold; not a defined term in the ISO HO-3 or the Standard Fire Policy
Partial Loss	Damage to portion of structure/contents	Actual repair/replacement cost

Proof of Loss Requirements

Standard Requirements (ISO HO-3 and 1943 Standard Fire Policy)

Requirement	Timeframe	Details
Notice of loss	Prompt/Immediate	Notify insurer as soon as practicable (SFP line 90: "immediate written notice")
Protect property	Immediate	Duty to protect the property from further damage
Cooperate with investigation	Ongoing	Exhibit the damaged property, provide records, submit to examination under oath (SFP lines 107-122)
Sworn Proof of Loss	60 days	ISO HO-3: within 60 days after the insurer's request. Standard Fire Policy (N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404(e)): "within sixty days after the loss, unless such time is extended in writing" [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404]
Inventory of damaged property	With Proof of Loss	"Inventory of damaged personal property showing the quantity, description, actual cash value and amount of loss claimed" (SFP; ISO HO-3 Duties After Loss)

Note: many states have replaced or softened the 60-days-after-loss clock (e.g., New York Ins. Law § 3407: no forfeiture unless the insurer demands proof in writing and supplies forms, and then 60 days run from that demand; Oregon: 90 days after receipt of forms). See the state table below.

Proof of Loss Contents

Required Element	Description
Date and cause of loss	Time and origin of the loss
Policy number	Identifying policy information
Insured's interest	Interest of the insured and of all others in the property
Other insurance	All other contracts of insurance covering the property
Changes in title/occupancy	Any changes in title, use, occupation, location, possession or exposures since the policy was issued
Specifications of damaged building	Specifications of the building and detailed repair estimates
Inventory of damaged personal property	Itemized list with quantities, description, actual cash value and amount of loss claimed
Receipts/records	Documentation supporting claimed values (ISO HO-3 duty to produce records)
Plans/specifications if requested	For building claims

[Elements track lines 91-105 of the 1943 Standard Fire Policy, N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404(e): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404; Oregon codification of the same clause: https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.230]

State-Specific Proof of Loss Timelines

State	Timeline	Citation
Oregon	90 days after receipt of proof-of-loss forms from the insurer (not 60)	ORS 742.230 [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.230]
California	60 days after the loss under the statutory Standard Fire Policy (many HO forms: 60 days after request); after a declared state of emergency the insurer may not demand proof sooner than 100 days after the loss	Cal. Ins. Code § 2071 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=2071]; § 2051.5 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=2051.5]; 10 CCR § 2695.5(e) (insurer must supply forms)
New York	60 days after the insurer's written demand accompanied by blank forms (§ 3407); the SFP form text says 60 days after loss (§ 3404(e)). Late proof bars recovery without a showing of prejudice (Igbara Realty Corp. v. N.Y. Prop. Ins. Underwriting Ass'n, 63 N.Y.2d 201 (1984))	N.Y. Ins. Law §§ 3404(e), 3407 [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3407]
Texas	91 days after request under TDI-promulgated homeowners forms (form-based, not statutory); Prompt Payment of Claims Act deadlines run from receipt of required items	Tex. Ins. Code ch. 542 [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.542.htm]; TDI HO forms
Florida	No statutory proof-of-loss deadline; policy terms control. Any proof-of-loss form must carry the statutory fraud warning in at least 18-point bold type	Fla. Stat. § 626.8797 [http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0626/Sections/0626.8797.html]
Washington	60 days after loss (1943 NY Standard Fire Policy adopted); insurer must furnish forms on request	WAC 284-20-010; RCW 48.18.460 [https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=48.18.460]
Georgia	60 days after loss under the Commissioner-prescribed standard fire policy; policies commonly 60 days after request	O.C.G.A. § 33-32-1; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-2-19-.01 [https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/120-2-19]
Louisiana	No statutory deadline; policy terms control. Insurer must pay within 30 days after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss	La. R.S. 22:1892 [https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=509041]
Arkansas	Policy terms (60 days after request typical); insurer that fails to furnish forms within 20 days of reported loss waives proof of loss	Ark. Code § 23-79-126 [https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-23/subtitle-3/chapter-79/subchapter-1/section-23-79-126/]
Illinois	Policy terms (60 days after request typical); standard fire policy prescribed by the Director	215 ILCS 5/397; 50 Ill. Adm. Code 2301 [https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/021500050K397.htm]

Vacancy and Unoccupancy Provisions

Standard Fire Policy - 60-Day Vacancy Clause

Term	Definition	Coverage Impact
Vacant	No people AND no contents (empty)	Standard Fire Policy (lines 28-37): insurer "shall not be liable for loss occurring ... while a described building, whether intended for occupancy by owner or tenant, is vacant or unoccupied beyond a period of sixty consecutive days" - coverage is suspended for ALL perils, not merely reduced [N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404(e): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404; ORS 742.216: https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.216]
Unoccupied	Furnished but no one living there	The Standard Fire Policy treats "vacant or unoccupied" alike (60-day suspension). ISO homeowners forms use only "vacant" and only for the vandalism peril; case law defines "unoccupied" as not in actual use as a habitation (Schmidt v. Underwriters at Lloyds of London, 191 Or. App. 340 (2004))

Coverage Impact After 60 Days Vacancy (by form)

Form	Effect After 60 Consecutive Days Vacant
1943 Standard Fire Policy (and state codifications)	All coverage suspended while the building is vacant or unoccupied beyond 60 consecutive days [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404]
ISO Homeowners HO 00 03	Only the vandalism or malicious mischief peril is excluded if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days immediately before the loss; fire coverage is NOT reduced or suspended by the ISO form (carrier-specific forms may differ). [ISO form language; official copy not retrieved in this pass - confirm against the policy]
ISO Commercial Property (CP 00 10 vacancy condition)	Vandalism, sprinkler leakage, building glass breakage, water damage, theft and attempted theft are excluded; payment for any other covered loss (including fire) is reduced by 15%. This 15% rule is a commercial-form provision and does not appear in the Standard Fire Policy or HO-3. [ISO CP 00 10; not retrieved in this pass]
FAIR Plan / dwelling-fire forms	Vary; some use 30 days for vandalism and 60 days for other causes of loss (e.g., Virginia Property Insurance Association commercial forms)

Vacancy Permit Endorsements

Feature	Details
Purpose	Extends coverage during vacancy periods
Duration	Typically issued for a stated period (30-120 days is common); varies by carrier
Cost	Additional premium required
Coverage	Restores vandalism, water damage, etc.

Arson Investigation and EUO

Examination Under Oath (EUO) Framework

Aspect	Details
Legal basis	Policy condition (SFP lines 107-112: "submit to examinations under oath ... and subscribe the same"); also ISO HO-3 Duties After Loss
Format	Sworn testimony before court reporter
Attorney representation	Insured may have attorney present
Scope	Broader than deposition; no pending lawsuit required
Consequence of refusal	Claim denial for breach of cooperation duty (many states require willful refusal; some require insurer prejudice)
Fifth Amendment	Generally cannot be invoked without coverage consequences

Arson Defense - Elements Insurers Must Prove

Element	Description	Evidence Types
Incendiary Origin	Fire was intentionally set	Fire investigator report, accelerant testing
Motive	Financial or other reason to set fire	Financial records, insurance history
Opportunity	Insured could have set the fire	Timeline, access, alibi

Note: the "arson triangle" is a litigation framework developed in case law (circumstantial-evidence standard, typically preponderance in civil cases), not a statutory test.

Fire Investigation Standards

Standard	Description
NFPA 921	Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
NFPA 1033	Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator
ATF Guidelines	Federal fire-research and investigation guidance (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)

Insurer Investigation Rights

Right	Details
Hire private investigator	Independent cause and origin investigation
Request financial records	Bank statements, tax returns, debt records
Conduct EUO	Sworn examination of insured and household members
Inspect premises	Before and after repairs
Request documentation	Receipts, photos, prior insurance claims

Valued Policy Laws by State

States with Valued Policy Laws (VPL)

State	Perils Covered	Total Loss Requirement	Citation
Arkansas	Fire or natural disaster (excludes flood and earthquake policies)	Total loss; personal property and detached structures excluded	Ark. Code § 23-88-101 [https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-23-public-utilities-and-regulated-industries/ar-code-sect-23-88-101/]
Florida	Any covered peril	Total loss of building/structure/mobile home; does not apply where a non-covered peril contributed unless covered perils alone would have caused the total loss	Fla. Stat. § 627.702 [http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.702.html]
Georgia	Fire only	Wholly destroyed; one- or two-family residential building owned by natural persons; less depreciation since policy date; 30-day waiting period	O.C.G.A. § 33-32-5 [https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-33-insurance/ga-code-sect-33-32-5/]
Kansas	Fire, tornado, windstorm, lightning	Wholly destroyed; improvements on real property; 60-day waiting period for new policies/25%+ increases (except lightning)	K.S.A. § 40-905 [https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_009_0005.html]
Louisiana	Fire (statute); case law construes the policy amount rule	Total loss	La. R.S. 22:1318 (formerly § 22:695; renumbered by Acts 2008, No. 415) [statute text not retrieved in this pass - Not verified]
Minnesota	Any covered peril	Total loss: "whole amount mentioned in the policy" absent increased risk or intentional fraud; FAIR Plan may contest by clear and convincing evidence	Minn. Stat. § 65A.08 subd. 2 [https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/65A.08]
Mississippi	Fire only	Buildings and structures totally destroyed by fire; builder's risk excluded	Miss. Code § 83-13-5 [https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-83-insurance/ms-code-sect-83-13-5/]
Missouri	Any covered peril	Total loss of real property; face amount less deductible; excludes partial loss, personal property, detached structures, replacement-cost policies, blanket policies, fraud	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 379.140 [https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=379.140]
Montana	Any covered "loss or damage"	Total loss of improvements on real property, without criminal fault	Mont. Code § 33-24-102 [https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0240/part_0010/section_0020/0330-0240-0010-0020.html]
Nebraska	Fire, tornado, windstorm, lightning, explosion	Real property wholly destroyed without criminal fault	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-501.02 (§ 44-501.01 is the nuclear-exclusion authorization, not the VPL) [https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-501.02]
New Hampshire	Fire	Building totally destroyed; sum insured taken as value absent fraudulent overinsurance; blanket policies excluded	N.H. RSA 407:11 (not 407:16) [https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXXVII/407/407-11.htm]
North Dakota	Any covered cause of loss	Total loss of real property; policy amount conclusive absent fraud; 60-day rule for new policies	N.D. Cent. Code § 26.1-39-05 (not -04) [verified in project VPL data]
Ohio	Fire or lightning	Buildings/structures (cellar and foundation walls excluded); insurer must inspect and fix insurable value	Ohio Rev. Code § 3929.25 [verified in project VPL data]
South Carolina	Fire only	Real property; amount fixed at issuance; partial loss = actual loss up to limit	S.C. Code § 38-75-20 [verified in project VPL data]
South Dakota	Fire, tornado, lightning	Real property; policy amount conclusive absent criminal fault; 90-day rule	S.D. Codified Laws § 58-10-10 (not 58-10-8) [verified in project VPL data]
Tennessee	Fire only (modified VPL)	Insurer must inspect within 90 days and place an agreed value; otherwise policy value is conclusive on total loss	Tenn. Code §§ 56-7-801 to -803 [verified in project VPL data]
Texas	Fire only	Total loss by fire of real property is a liquidated demand for the full policy amount; personal property excluded; clause must appear verbatim in every fire policy on real property	Tex. Ins. Code § 862.053 [https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._ins._code_section_862.053]
West Virginia	Fire "or otherwise, as stated in the policy" (any peril insured under the fire policy)	Total loss of real property = whole amount of insurance; partial loss = actual amount up to limit	W. Va. Code § 33-17-9 [verified in project VPL data]
Wisconsin	Any covered peril	Real property owned and occupied by the insured primarily as a dwelling, wholly destroyed without criminal fault	Wis. Stat. § 632.05(2) [verified in project VPL data]

States WITHOUT Valued Policy Laws

State	Total Loss Settlement	Notes
California	ACV or RCV per policy terms	Not a VPL state; policy terms control (Cal. Ins. Code § 2051 governs ACV measure)
New York	ACV or RCV per policy terms	Not a VPL state
Illinois	ACV or RCV per policy terms	Not a VPL state
Michigan	ACV or RCV per policy terms	Not a VPL state
Pennsylvania	ACV or RCV per policy terms	Not a VPL state
Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming	Policy terms control	No valued policy statute located [verified in project VPL data]
All others not listed above	Policy terms control	Check individual state statutes

Debris Removal Coverage

Standard Coverage Structure (ISO HO-3, Section I Additional Coverages)

Coverage Type	Typical Limit	Notes
Included in Coverage A	Part of dwelling limit	Debris removal expense is included in the limit of liability that applies to the damaged property
Additional Coverage	Additional 5% of the applicable limit	Available only when the amount payable for the loss plus debris removal exceeds the limit of liability for the damaged property
Fallen-tree removal	$1,000 per loss / $500 per tree (ISO HO 00 03 05 11)	Tree must damage a covered structure, or block a driveway or a handicap access ramp; wind/hail/weight-of-ice-snow-sleet, or any Coverage C peril for neighbor's tree

[Michigan DIFS, Your Guide to Homeowners Insurance ("an additional 5% of the coverage limit may be available for debris removal"): https://www.michigan.gov/difs/-/media/Project/Websites/difs/Publication/Home/Homeowners_Insurance_Guide.pdf; Virginia SCC Homeowners Insurance Guide ("the policy will pay an additional 5% for debris removal"): https://www.scc.virginia.gov/media/sccvirginiagov-home/consumer-home/insurance/property-amp-casualty/virginia-homeowners-insurance-guide/hoguide.pdf]

Coverage Calculation Example

Item	Amount
Coverage A (Dwelling)	$300,000
Debris Removal (additional 5%)	$15,000
Total potential debris coverage	Up to $315,000 (the extra $15,000 applies only if loss plus debris removal exceeds $300,000)

What Debris Removal Covers

Covered	Not Typically Covered
Removing fire-damaged structural materials	Pre-existing debris
Hauling charred/burned items	Tree removal where the tree did not damage a covered structure (see fallen-tree sublimit)
Demolishing unsafe structures	Land/soil contamination cleanup
Clearing access for contractors	Environmental remediation (pollutant extraction is excluded on most forms)

Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants (Separate Additional Coverage)

Coverage	ISO HO-3 Limit
Per tree, shrub or plant	$500 (ISO standard; some carriers offer $1,000)
Aggregate	5% of Coverage A
Perils	Named perils only: fire or lightning, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles not owned by a resident, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft. Windstorm/hail damage to trees is NOT covered even on open-peril forms

[Virginia SCC Homeowners Insurance Guide ("usually limited to 5% of the policy limit on your dwelling with a $500 maximum per item"): https://www.scc.virginia.gov/media/sccvirginiagov-home/consumer-home/insurance/property-amp-casualty/virginia-homeowners-insurance-guide/hoguide.pdf; Michigan DIFS guide ("standard limit is $500 per item"): https://www.michigan.gov/difs/-/media/Project/Websites/difs/Publication/Home/Homeowners_Insurance_Guide.pdf]

Fire Department Service Charge (ISO HO-3)

Coverage	Limit
Charges assumed by contract when the fire department is called to save or protect covered property	$500 (no deductible) [Michigan DIFS guide: "standard limit is $500"]

Smoke and Soot Damage

Coverage Scope

Damage Type	Coverage Section	Notes
Smoke damage to structure	Coverage A	Walls, ceilings, HVAC systems
Smoke damage to contents	Coverage C	Furniture, clothing, electronics
Cleaning/remediation	Coverage A/C	Professional cleaning covered
Odor removal	Coverage A/C	Ozone treatment, sealing

Covered Smoke Damage Scenarios

Scenario	Coverage
Fire in your home	Covered
Fire in neighboring property	Covered (smoke infiltration) - "smoke" is a named peril for Coverage C and covered under open-peril Coverage A
Wildfire smoke	Covered if it causes direct physical damage; ISO "smoke" peril requires sudden and accidental damage
Friendly fire smoke	Generally covered (subject to the sudden-and-accidental requirement)
Fireplace/heating equipment	Covered if sudden/accidental

Common Smoke Damage Exclusions

Exclusion	Reason
Cigarette/tobacco smoke	Gradual damage; not "sudden and accidental"
Long-term fireplace use	Maintenance issue
Industrial/agricultural smoke	ISO smoke peril excludes "smoke from agricultural smudging or industrial operations"
Smoke without physical damage	No "direct physical loss"

IICRC Standards for Fire/Smoke Remediation

Standard	Description
ANSI/IICRC S700	Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration (the fire-specific standard)
ANSI/IICRC S500	Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration (suppression water)
ANSI/IICRC S520	Standard for Professional Mold Remediation (post-suppression mold)
IICRC FSRT	Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician certification

[IICRC standards list: https://iicrc.org/iicrcstandards/]

Mortgagee and Loss Payee Requirements

Types of Loss Payee Clauses

Clause Type	Protections	Key Difference
Simple Loss Payee	Paid only if insured can collect	Subject to insured's acts
Standard Mortgage Clause	Independent contract; paid regardless of the insured's acts or neglect	Separate coverage for mortgagee (SFP lines 68-85 "Mortgagee interests and obligations"; ISO HO-3 Mortgage Clause)
Lender's Loss Payable (ISO 438 BFU)	Enhanced protections	Notice of cancellation required

Claim Check Procedures

Claim Amount	Typical Procedure
Small claims	May be paid directly to insured (thresholds are set by servicer policy, not statute)
Over servicer threshold	Joint check to insured and mortgagee
Total loss	Mortgagee involvement required

Mortgagee Rights Under Standard Mortgage Clause

Right	Description
Receive payment	Up to unpaid loan balance
Advance notice	ISO HO-3: at least 10 days' notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to the mortgagee (state statutes may require more)
Pay premium	Can pay to keep policy in force
Separate claim	Can file even if insured's claim denied

Fund Disbursement Process

Step	Action
1	Insurance issues joint check
2	Insured endorses check
3	Mortgagee deposits to escrow account
4	Funds released as repairs progress
5	Final inspection before last disbursement

Anti-Concurrent Causation

Doctrine Overview

Doctrine	Description	Effect
Concurrent Causation	Loss from multiple perils (covered + excluded) may be covered	Favors policyholder
Anti-Concurrent Causation (ACC)	Excludes loss if ANY cause is excluded peril	Favors insurer
Efficient Proximate Cause	Coverage if covered peril is dominant cause	Middle ground

State Approaches

State	Approach	Citation
California	Efficient Proximate Cause (statutory) - "An insurer is liable for a loss of which a peril insured against was the proximate cause, although a peril not contemplated by the contract may have been a remote cause"	Cal. Ins. Code § 530 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=530]; § 532
North Dakota	Efficient Proximate Cause by statute, BUT the statute expressly allows insurers to contract out ("An insurer may contract out of the efficient proximate cause doctrine") - so ACC clauses are enforceable	N.D. Cent. Code § 26.1-32-03 [https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t26-1c32.pdf]
Washington	Efficient Proximate Cause; ACC clauses unenforceable to defeat it	Case law: Safeco Ins. Co. v. Hirschmann, 112 Wn.2d 621 (1989); Vision One, LLC v. Philadelphia Indem. Ins. Co., 174 Wn.2d 501 (2012) [official opinion text not retrieved in this pass]
West Virginia	Efficient Proximate Cause	Case law: Murray v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 203 W. Va. 477 (1998) [official opinion text not retrieved in this pass]
Texas	Enforces ACC clauses	Case law: JAW The Pointe, L.L.C. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 460 S.W.3d 597 (Tex. 2015) [official opinion text not retrieved in this pass]
Colorado	Generally enforces ACC clauses	Case law: Colo. Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency v. Northfield Ins. Co., 207 P.3d 839 (Colo. App. 2008) [official opinion text not retrieved in this pass]
Most other states	ACC clauses generally enforceable	Varies

Common ACC Clause Language

"We do not insure for loss caused directly or indirectly by any of the following. Such loss is excluded regardless of any other cause or event contributing concurrently or in any sequence to the loss."

State-by-State Fire Claims Regulations

Claims Handling Timelines

Abbreviations: CD = calendar days, WD = working days, BD = business days, POL = proof of loss. Where a state has only a "reasonably promptly" standard (NAIC Model Act language with no day counts), that is shown rather than a number. Rows were reconciled against the project's verified claims-timeline data; the prior version's "30/30/30 - NAIC Model" entries were not supported and have been replaced.

State	Acknowledgment	Investigation	Payment	Citation
Alabama	15 CD	Prompt (forms within 15 CD)	30 days after agreement	482-1-125 [https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/chapter/482-1-125]
Alaska	10 WD	Prompt (forms on receipt)	30 WD after POL (undisputed)	3 AAC 26.040/.070 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/alaska/3-AAC-26.070]
Arizona	10 WD	Complete within 30 days of notice	30 days	R20-6-801 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R20-6-801]
Arkansas	15 WD	Complete within 45 CD	10 WD after processed	Rule 43 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arkansas/054-00-15-Ark-Code-R-SS-005]
California	15 CD	Immediately, max 15 CD	30 CD after acceptance	10 CCR 2695.5/.7 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/10-CCR-2695.7]
Colorado	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	60 days after valid & complete claim	Reg 5-1-14 (3 CCR 702-5); § 10-3-1104(1)(h) [https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/]
Connecticut	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Prompt	§ 38a-816(6) [https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_704.htm#sec_38a-816]
Delaware	15 WD	10 WD	Prompt (no number)	18 DE Admin Code 902 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/delaware/18-Del-Admin-Code-SS-902-3.0]
Florida	7 CD	Begin within 7 days after POL	60 days after notice (interest after)	§ 627.70131 [https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.70131.html]
Georgia	15 days	POL forms within 15 days	10 days after amount agreed	Rule 120-2-52 [https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/120-2-52]
Hawaii	15 WD	Reasonable	30 CD after affirmation	HRS § 431:13-103(a)(11) [https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0013-0103.htm]
Idaho	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Prompt	§ 41-1329 [https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title41/T41CH13/SECT41-1329/]
Illinois	15 WD	Reasonable	30 days after affirmation	50 IAC 919.40/.50/.80 [https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/050/050009190000800R.html]
Indiana	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Prompt	IC 27-4-1-4.5 [https://iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/27#27-4-1-4.5]
Iowa	15 days	Reasonable	30 days after affirmation	191 IAC 15.41 [https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/191.15.41.pdf]
Kansas	10 WD	Complete within 30 days	Prompt (no number)	K.A.R. 40-1-34 [https://insurance.ks.gov/documents/department/regulations-adopted/article-1/40-1-34-attachment1.pdf]
Kentucky	15 days	Prompt (no fixed day count)	30 days after affirmation of liability (offer due within 30 CD of POL)	806 KAR 12:095 §§5-6 [https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/806/012/095/]
Louisiana	No acknowledgment deadline; initiate loss adjustment within 14 days of notice (30 days catastrophic loss)	Initiate loss adjustment within 14 days of notification (30 days for catastrophic loss; commissioner may add up to 30 days by rule, one further extension needs legislative committee approval)	30 days after satisfactory POL (A(1)); 30 days after written settlement agreement (A(2)); bad-faith penalty 50% or $1,000 + fees (B(1)(a)); catastrophic first-party immovable-property claims penalized under §1892.2 instead	La. R.S. 22:1892 (as amended through Acts 2025, No. 500); §22:1973 repealed by Acts 2024, No. 3, eff. July 1, 2024 [https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=509041]
Maine	Reasonable time after written notice	Prompt (reasonable)	30 days after POL (60 days fire policies per §3002); 1.5%/month interest if overdue	24-A M.R.S. §2436 / §2436-A [https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/24-A/title24-Asec2436.html]
Maryland	15 WD	Written notice if not complete in 45 days	Not specified (prompt settlement, Ins. §27-303)	COMAR 31.15.07.03-.04 [https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/31.15.07.03]
Massachusetts	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	M.G.L. c.176D §3(9) [https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter176D/Section3]
Michigan	Prompt	Specify POL materials within 30 days of claim	60 days after satisfactory POL (12% simple interest thereafter)	MCL 500.2006(3)-(4) [https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-500-2006]
Minnesota	10 BD	Complete and inform within 30 BD of notice (else state reason and expected date)	5 BD after agreement	Minn. Stat. §72A.201 subd. 4-5 [https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/72A.201]
Mississippi	No statutory number (§ 83-5-45 unfair practices; no acknowledgment deadline)	No statutory number	No statutory number for property (§ 83-9-5 prompt-pay applies to health only)	None for property; Miss. Code § 83-5-45; Miss. Admin. Code Title 19 Parts 1 and 5 contain no claims-handling deadline rule [https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-83-insurance/ms-code-sect-83-5-45/]
Missouri	10 WD	Complete within 30 days of notice	Not specified for property (prompt settlement)	20 CSR 100-1.030/.040/.050 [https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/20csr/20c100-1.pdf]
Montana	Reasonable	Reasonable	30 days after POL (10% interest if late)	Mont. Code Ann. §33-18-232 [https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0180/part_0020/section_0320/0330-0180-0020-0320.html]
Nebraska	15 WD	Begin within 15 WD	15 WD after claimant acceptance	210 NAC 60 §§006-008 [https://doi.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/Chapter%2060.pdf]
Nevada	20 WD	Begin within 20 WD; complete within 30 days	30 days after acceptance (interest per NRS 99.040 if late)	NAC 686A.665-.675 [https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/nac-686a.html]
New Hampshire	10 WD	Commence within 5 WD	5 WD after agreement	N.H. Admin. Code Ins 1002.05 [https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/ins1000.html]
New Jersey	10 WD (11:2-17.6(b)); 10 WD reply to other claimant communications; 15 WD to Department inquiries	Prompt; claim forms/assistance within 10 WD (11:2-17.6)	10 WD after settlement agreement or receipt of final POL/completion of conditions (11:2-17.8 / 17.7(d)); payment statement issued contemporaneously (11:2-17.8(k))	N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6 to 17.8 [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-11-2-17-7]
New Mexico	Reasonably promptly (§ 59A-16-20(B)); no working-day number	Reasonably promptly (§ 59A-16-20(C))	Prompt (no number outside catastrophe)	NMSA § 59A-16-20; 13.7.4 NMAC (Catastrophic Claims, eff. 3/1/2023) [https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-mexico/13-7-4-11-NMAC]
New York	15 BD (Reg 64)	Commence within 15 BD (Reg 64)	Not specified (prompt)	11 NYCRR 216 (Reg 64); Ins. Law §2601 [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/2601]
North Carolina	Reasonably promptly	Prompt (reasonable standards)	Prompt (10 BD after settlement for motor vehicle only, 11 NCAC 04 .0421)	G.S. 58-63-15(11) [https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_58/GS_58-63-15.html]
North Dakota	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Reasonable	N.D.C.C. § 26.1-04-03(9) [https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t26-1c04.pdf]
Ohio	15 days	Prompt (15-day response to communications)	10 days after acceptance	OAC 3901-1-54 [https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-3901-1-54]
Oklahoma	30 BD (OAC) / 30 days (36 O.S. § 1250.6)	45 BD after POL (OAC 365:15-3-6) / 60 days (§ 1250.7)	No numeric deadline	OAC 365:15-3-5 to -7; 36 O.S. §§ 1250.6-1250.7 [https://www.oid.ok.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/18-11-07-C15S3.pdf]
Oregon	30 days	45 days after notice	No numeric deadline	OAR 836-080-0225 to -0235 [https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=836-080-0235]
Pennsylvania	10 WD	30 days after notice	No numeric deadline	31 Pa. Code §§ 146.5-146.7 [https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter146/chap146toc.html]
Rhode Island	15 days	Prompt	30 days after affirmation of liability	230-RICR-20-40-2 [https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/230-20-40-2]
South Carolina	Reasonably promptly	Prompt (no number)	No unreasonable delay	S.C. Code § 38-59-20 [https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t38c059.php]
South Dakota	30 days (acknowledge and act)	Prompt (no number)	Prompt	SDCL 58-33-67(3) [https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/58-33-67.html]
Tennessee	Reasonably promptly	Prompt (no number)	Prompt (bad-faith penalty after 60-day demand, § 56-7-105)	Tenn. Code § 56-8-105 (0780-01-05 is RESERVED) [https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0780/0780-01/0780-01-05.pdf]
Texas	15 days (30 BD surplus lines)	15 days (commence + request items)	5 BD after notice of acceptance	Tex. Ins. Code §§ 542.055-542.059 [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.542.htm]
Utah	15 days	15 days (forms/assistance)	30 days after POL (if liability clear)	R590-190-6, -9, -10 [https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/rule/R590-190/Current%20Rules]
Vermont	10 BD	Prompt	10 BD after settlement agreed	Reg. I-1979-02 (Rev.) §§ 5-6 [https://dfr.vermont.gov/sites/finreg/files/regbul/dfr-regulation-insurance-i-1979-02-revised-fair-claims.pdf]
Virginia	15 CD	Prompt (45-CD delay notices)	No numeric deadline	14VAC5-400-50, -60 [https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title14/agency5/chapter400/section60/]
Washington	10 WD	30 days after notice	15 BD after signed release/settlement docs	WAC 284-30-330, -360, -370, -380 [https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=284-30&full=true]
West Virginia	15 WD	15 WD	15 WD after agreement	W. Va. Code R. § 114-14-5, -6 [https://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=10621&Format=WORD]
Wisconsin	10 consecutive days	Reasonable dispatch	30 days (7.5% interest)	Wis. Admin. Code Ins 6.11; Wis. Stat. § 628.46 [https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/628/iii/46]
Wyoming	Prompt	Prompt	45 days (same clock)	Wyo. Stat. § 26-15-124(b) [https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title26.pdf]
Washington, D.C.	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	Reasonably promptly	§ 31-2231.17 [https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/31-2231.17]

Wildfire-Prone States: Special Provisions

State	Special Provision	Citation
California	ALE for at least 24 months from inception of the loss, plus up to 12 more months (36 total) for delays beyond the insured's control	Cal. Ins. Code § 2060 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=2060]
California	Contents advance of no less than 60% of the personal-property limit (up to $350,000) without an itemized inventory after a total loss of a furnished primary dwelling in a state of emergency	Cal. Ins. Code § 10103.7 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=10103.7]
California	After a total loss caused by a disaster, insurer must offer renewal for at least the next two annual renewal periods (no less than 24 months); one-year moratorium on cancellation/non-renewal in ZIP codes in or adjacent to a wildfire emergency perimeter	Cal. Ins. Code § 675.1 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=675.1]
California	Replacement-cost collection period at least 12 months (36 months after a state of emergency); proof of loss may not be demanded sooner than 100 days after a state-of-emergency loss	Cal. Ins. Code § 2051.5 [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=2051.5]
California	FAIR Plan available as insurer of last resort	Cal. Ins. Code § 10090 et seq.; https://www.cfpnet.com/
Colorado	ALE at least 12 months on replacement-cost homeowners policies, with a mandatory offer of up to 24 months; after a governor-declared wildfire disaster ALE at least 24 months plus two 6-month extensions; contents advance of at least 30% without inventory (65% after a declared wildfire disaster); 365 days to submit inventory	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 10-4-110.8(6), (11), (13), (14) [https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_10-4-110.8]
Colorado	FAIR Plan (Colorado FAIR Plan Association) available	https://www.coloradofairplan.com/
Oregon	Oregon FAIR Plan Association available (basic fire/DP forms)	https://orfairplan.com/
Oregon	"Cannot cancel for a single loss in 5 years" - NOT VERIFIED and removed as a rule of law: ORS 746.270 governs variable life insurance illustrations, not property cancellation [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_746.270]	—
Washington	Washington FAIR Plan available (dwelling fire, ACV)	https://www.wafairplan.com/
Arizona	No FAIR Plan exists in Arizona (prior citation to A.R.S. § 20-2801 was incorrect)	Arizona DIFI: https://difi.az.gov/

Hurricane/Coastal States: Special Fire Provisions

State	Special Provision	Citation
Florida	Citizens Property Insurance Corporation as insurer of last resort (eligibility caps on dwelling replacement cost)	Fla. Stat. § 627.351(6)
Louisiana	Louisiana Citizens available; insurer must pay within 30 days after satisfactory proof of loss and initiate adjustment within 14 days of notice (30 days in a declared catastrophe)	La. R.S. 22:1892 [https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=509041]
Texas	TWIA for coastal wind (14 coastal counties plus part of Harris County); Texas FAIR Plan Association statewide; fire claims governed by the Prompt Payment of Claims Act	Tex. Ins. Code ch. 2210 (TWIA); ch. 2211 (TFPA); ch. 542
Mississippi	MWUA for coastal wind (six coastal counties); MRPIUA for basic fire statewide	Miss. Code § 83-34-1 et seq.
Alabama	AIUA for wind in Baldwin and Mobile counties south of the 31st parallel (fire/EC only in limited cases)	https://www.aiua.org/about-aiua

States with Specific Fire Insurance Statutes

State	Statute	Key Provision
New York	N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404	1943 Standard Fire Policy (165 lines) set out in § 3404(e) [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404]
California	Cal. Ins. Code §§ 2070-2071	California Standard Form Fire Insurance Policy [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=2071]
Texas	Tex. Ins. Code ch. 2301	Policy-form regulation (residential property forms are TDI-promulgated/approved); Texas does not codify the NY Standard Fire Policy [https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._ins._code_section_2301.003]
Florida	Fla. Stat. § 627.701	Coinsurance and deductible rules (heading: "Liability of insureds; coinsurance; deductibles"), not a general fire-policy statute; VPL is § 627.702 [https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.701.html]
Illinois	215 ILCS 5/397; 50 Ill. Adm. Code 2301	Standard fire policy prescribed by the Director (215 ILCS 5/143 is the general policy-form filing statute) [https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/021500050K397.htm]
Oregon	ORS 742.200-742.246	Oregon codification of the Standard Fire Policy (90-day proof of loss, 60-day vacancy, 24-month suit clause) [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.240]
Washington	WAC 284-20-010; RCW 48.18.460	1943 NY Standard Fire Policy adopted by rule [https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=48.18.460]
Arizona	A.R.S. § 20-1503	Adopts the 1943 NY Standard Fire Policy [https://www.azleg.gov/ars/20/01503.htm]

Documentation Checklist for Fire Claims

Immediately After Fire

Document	Purpose
Fire department incident report	Official cause determination
Police report (if applicable)	Theft, arson investigation
Photos/video of damage	Document extent of loss
Emergency service receipts	Board-up, tarping
Temporary housing receipts	ALE documentation

For Structure Claim

Document	Purpose
Property deed	Prove ownership/insurable interest
Mortgage statement	Identify loss payee
Prior appraisals	Establish pre-loss value
Contractor estimates	Repair cost documentation
Building permits	Original construction documentation
Architectural plans	If available

For Contents Claim

Document	Purpose
Room-by-room inventory	Detail all damaged items
Original receipts	Prove purchase price/date
Photos of items	Pre-loss condition
Credit card statements	Prove purchases
Appraisals (jewelry, art)	High-value items
Serial numbers	Electronics, appliances

For ALE Claim

Document	Purpose
Hotel/rental receipts	Housing expenses
Restaurant receipts	Increased food costs
Gas receipts/mileage logs	Transportation
Storage receipts	Personal property
Pet boarding receipts	Animal care
Utility bills (both locations)	Increased costs

Suit Limitation Under the Standard Fire Policy

Form / State	Suit Deadline	Citation
1943 NY Standard Fire Policy (lines 157-161)	"unless commenced within twenty-four months next after inception of the loss"	N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404(e) [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404]
Oregon	24 months after inception of the loss	ORS 742.240 [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.240]
Virginia	2 years from inception of loss in the standard fire policy	Va. Code § 38.2-2105 [verified in project suit-limitation data]
California	12 months after inception of the loss (statutory SFP), tolled during claim handling	Cal. Ins. Code § 2071 [verified in project suit-limitation data]
Florida	5 years from date of loss for property-insurance breach actions	Fla. Stat. § 95.11(2)(e) [verified in project suit-limitation data]
Texas	Contractual suit clauses enforceable but may not be shorter than 2 years	Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.070 [verified in project suit-limitation data]
Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota	Contractual suit-limitation clauses shorter than the statutory period are void or restricted	Miss. Code § 15-1-5; Ark./Neb. rules; N.D.C.C. § 9-08-05; SDCL 53-9-6 [verified in project suit-limitation data]

Always check the policy's own "Suit Against Us" clause and the state's minimum-period statute; many homeowners forms use 1 or 2 years from the date of loss.

Key Legal Authorities

Authority	Subject Matter	Reference
1943 New York Standard Fire Policy	165-line standard form	N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404(e) [https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404]
NFPA 921	Fire investigation standards	National Fire Protection Association
ISO HO 00 03	Homeowners policy form (Special Form)	Insurance Services Office (now Verisk)
NAIC Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act / Model Regulation	Unfair claims practices	National Association of Insurance Commissioners (Model 900 / 902)
State Insurance Codes	State-specific requirements	Individual state statutes

State Insurance Department Resources

State	Department	Website
California	Department of Insurance	insurance.ca.gov
Florida	Office of Insurance Regulation	floir.com
Texas	Department of Insurance	tdi.texas.gov
New York	Department of Financial Services	dfs.ny.gov
Colorado	Division of Insurance	doi.colorado.gov
Georgia	Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner	oci.georgia.gov
Louisiana	Department of Insurance	ldi.la.gov
Oregon	Division of Financial Regulation	dfr.oregon.gov
Washington	Office of the Insurance Commissioner	insurance.wa.gov
Arizona	Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions	difi.az.gov

For all states, consult the state Department of Insurance for current regulations and filing requirements.

Verification & Sources

Verified August 2026. Primary sources actually consulted for this revision:

1943 Standard Fire Policy text - N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3404
N.Y. Ins. Law § 3407 (proof of loss demand/forms): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3407
ORS 742.216 (vacancy), 742.230 (90-day proof of loss), 742.240 (24-month suit clause): https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.216 ; https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.230 ; https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_742.240
ORS 746.270 (confirmed to concern variable life illustrations): https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_746.270
Cal. Ins. Code §§ 530, 675.1, 2051.5, 2060, 2071, 10103.7: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS&sectionNum=530 (and same pattern for each section)
N.D. Cent. Code ch. 26.1-32 (§ 26.1-32-03): https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t26-1c32.pdf
Tex. Ins. Code § 862.053: https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._ins._code_section_862.053 ; ch. 2301: https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._ins._code_section_2301.003 ; ch. 542: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.542.htm
Fla. Stat. §§ 626.8797, 627.701, 627.702: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ (section pages)
O.C.G.A. § 33-32-5: https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-33-insurance/ga-code-sect-33-32-5/
K.S.A. 40-905: https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_009_0005.html
Minn. Stat. § 65A.08: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/65A.08
Miss. Code § 83-13-5: https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-83-insurance/ms-code-sect-83-13-5/
RSMo 379.140: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=379.140
Mont. Code § 33-24-102: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0330/chapter_0240/part_0010/section_0020/0330-0240-0010-0020.html
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-501.01, 44-501.02: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-501.02
N.H. RSA 407:11: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXXVII/407/407-11.htm
Ark. Code § 23-88-101: https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-23-public-utilities-and-regulated-industries/ar-code-sect-23-88-101/
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 10-4-110.8: https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_10-4-110.8
215 ILCS 5/143 and 5/397: https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/021500050K143.htm ; https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/021500050K397.htm
ISO HO-3 additional-coverage limits as described in regulator guidance: Michigan DIFS, Your Guide to Homeowners Insurance (https://www.michigan.gov/difs/-/media/Project/Websites/difs/Publication/Home/Homeowners_Insurance_Guide.pdf); Virginia SCC Homeowners Insurance Guide (https://www.scc.virginia.gov/media/sccvirginiagov-home/consumer-home/insurance/property-amp-casualty/virginia-homeowners-insurance-guide/hoguide.pdf); NC DOI Consumer Guide (https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers-guide-homeowners-insurance/open)
IICRC standards: https://iicrc.org/iicrcstandards/
State proof-of-loss, suit-limitation, valued-policy, FAIR-plan and claims-timeline rows: reconciled with the project's verified state datasets (pol-, sol-, vpl-, fair-, claims-timelines-*), whose per-state source URLs appear inline in the tables above.

Items marked "Not verified" or "not retrieved in this pass": La. R.S. 22:1318 text; ISO HO 00 03 and CP 00 10 form text (regulator descriptions used instead); official opinion text for the Washington, West Virginia, Texas and Colorado causation cases.