Did your food spoil during a power outage? You may be able to get reimbursed. Here's how (2024)

FAQs

Did your food spoil during a power outage? You may be able to get reimbursed. Here's how? ›

Insurance Coverage for Food Spoilage and Food Loss

If you have renters insurance or homeowners insurance, your policy may cover the loss of food due to an outage. Like filing a claim directly through PG&E, you'll most likely have to provide documentation and evidence of food spoilage, so take photos of your food before you throw it away.

Spoiled food may be covered under your homeowners insurance policy if a downed tree caused the power outage, and the downed tree was on your property. If your power goes out because of another covered loss, such as a named hurricane or a storm, your homeowners policy may cover food spoilage then, as well.

For claims related to food loss, you'll need to provide an itemized list of all the spoiled food, with receipts or other documentation of what everything cost. Here's how to file a claim with Southern California Edison online, and information on how to file it using other methods. You can also call (800) 655-4555.

Making a claim for freezer contents

Before you make a claim, check how much your voluntary excess is as this will usually be deducted from your payout. Unless the remaining amount will be enough to help replace the food, it's probably not worth making a claim as it may bump up your premiums in the future.

However, in many instances, we are NOT responsible for power outages, voltage fluctuations, food loss, or property damage that occur due to forces outside our control, such as earthquakes and weather-related conditions including wind, rain, fog, lightning, or extreme heat.

Various factors cause food spoilage, making items unsuitable for consumption. Light, oxygen, heat, humidity, temperature and spoilage bacteria can all affect both safety and quality of perishable foods. When subject to these factors, foods will gradually deteriorate.

Spoilage coverage is an endorsem*nt to a business owner's policy (BOP) that may cover perishable stock at a business for breakdown or contamination and for a power outage.

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

Insurance Coverage for Food Spoilage and Food Loss

Your standard homeowners policy will provide some coverage for food loss due to a power outage or a mechanical failure of the refrigeration equipment — usually $500 or $1,000.

Does Ameren reimburse for spoiled food? ›

To submit a claim for actual damages, including food spoilage, due to a power interruption, outage, surge, or other fluctuation, complete a Claim Form and mail the Claim Form and supporting documentation to: Brentwood Services Administrators, Inc.

Hard cheese, butter and margarine.

Well packaged products should remain safe; if odors or mold develops, discard the items.

So, if your TV isn't worth much more than your excess, you might find it's not worth claiming for, especially as any claim you make will cause your premium to rise when it comes time to renew.

The most important thing to remember is: keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed! A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).

To claim or not to claim? Before filing a claim, consider the cost of the excess and the potential for premium increases against the cost of the damage. In cases of minor damage, it might be more economical to handle the repairs yourself to prevent future hikes in insurance rates.

If you purchase an expired product or notice that your local store often sells old goods, here are some actions you can take. Return the item. If you accidentally buy a product that's past its expiration date, return it to the store for an exchange or refund.

Getting Your Money Back

You can usually resolve defective product issues by contacting the seller or manufacturer. Most businesses are willing to refund, replace, or repair a defective product. The company may ask for a few details about your purchase, such as when and where you bought it or your order number.

You can return food to the grocery store if it's gone bad or you tried it and you don't like it. Don't be shy about returning items that have expired or you don't care for. You can return food to the grocery store if it's gone bad or it's expired or you tried it and don't like it.