query: house burns down before closing

I can't truly answer this query because I sell title insurance, not fire insurance, however, it reminds me of days gone by.

Back in the day, when real estate industry professionals weren't trying to hustle you through a transaction at lightening speed and make you sign fifteen million pages of disclosures that you never read or understand, the pros understood and cared about covering your bases.

Back in those days, the real estate agent knew and understood that the homebuyer should get a hazard insurance binder immediately, as soon as there was an accepted agreement of sale. Why? Well, to protect your equitable interest.

So, if the house burns down before you close, and you do not have a hazard insurance binder in place and you have suffered losses, consider having an attorney review the contract and advise you of any hopes of recovery.

As an afterthought, I must say that I shouldn't blame the lack of hazard insurance binders on the real estate sales community. For all I know, the insurance industry might have discontinued the practice. In any case, if binders are available, a prudent purchasers should consider the option.