Attorney, Douglas Hanna, Offers Advice to NJ Residents Planning to File an Insurance Claim in The Event of a Personal Injury or Property Damage

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Douglas Hanna Esq

Jul 03, 2014, 03:00 ET

Manasquan, NJ (PRWEB) July 03, 2014 -- Fireworks: Does NJ homeowners or tenant’s insurance provide coverage for a claim as a result of fireworks use on your property? Many plans do not provide coverage because fireworks are illegal in the state.

“In the State of New Jersey, possession and use of fireworks is a 4th degree criminal offense. The standard NJ homeowner’s policy has exclusion for illegal acts.” , stated Douglas Hanna.

For example, if a NJ resident were to lite a firework on their yard and the wind blows 1200° F fireworks onto their neighbor’s house and fire destroys the house, what happens next? The neighbor will make a claim for hundreds of thousands of dollars against the resident and all of his/her assets including their home.

Many NJ residents will submit their neighbor’s claim to a homeowner’s carrier and tell their neighbor that they have a homeowner’s policy with liability coverage. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) states that fires may not be covered if caused by the use of fireworks that is illegal in your jurisdiction.

Fireworks also cause numerous severe personal injuries. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) recorded approximately 11,400 injuries were caused by fireworks in 2013.

The same claims examination criteria are applied in both property damage and personal injury claims. Did the harm result from an illegal act?

Warren A. Beyer, CEO and President of Conover Beyer Associates, a large central New Jersey Insurance Agency stated “fireworks are illegal in New Jersey and the insurance carrier can deny claims arising from the use of fireworks in New Jersey.”

“Need some sound advice? Call your insurance agent before you start setting off fireworks” warned Hanna. He added, “Also, actually read your homeowner’s policy language under exclusions, subsection ‘illegal Acts’. You will be glad you did”

Doug Hanna, Douglas Hanna Esq, http://dbhannalaw.com/, +1 732-449-8000, [email protected]