LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Months after a weekend-long barricade in Henderson, homeowners are still struggling to get back into their homes.
Some of this ties back to homeowners insurance, and one neighbor whose policy is covering his portion of the damage is encouraging others to check their own coverage.
Back in April, police tore the face off of a townhome near Cadence Vista and Galleria during the days-long standoff.
The damage to the outside of the building has not been repaired nearly five months later.
In May, the City of Henderson said the community’s HOA is responsible for repairing the outside of the building, and property owners are responsible for damage inside their units.
One neighbor says the inside of his home was destroyed by tear gas and stray bullets.
“I lost everything, just from the teargas alone,” the homeowner said. “The bullets went through the other bedroom, then it went through the living room, that’s how it kind of spread.”
He explained luckily, his homeowner’s insurance is covering his repairs, but not all of his neighbors were so lucky.
“So, for the people listening, make sure that in your insurance, that you look at the fine print,” he added.
In his case, he says that “fine print” was called “government intervention,” but the name may vary in other policies.
Experts with the Insurance Information Institute explained that it’s important to know what you’re paying for. Some policies will pay for damages after incidents like this, but others won’t.
They recommend sitting down with your agent when it’s time to review your policy and after any significant life changes. Go over what your policy covers, what’s missing, and any changes you’d like to make.
“I had no clue about this stuff at all, and I think a lot of people don’t, so if you’re listening, pay attention to these things,” this neighbor shared.
He happened to switch policies just two months before the barricade. If he hadn’t, he says the repairs wouldn’t have been covered.
“Thank God for my insurance,” he expressed.
He will finally move back into his home after months of construction and purchasing all new furniture.
But explained this journey isn’t over until the giant hole in the townhomes is fixed, and he will continue fighting for neighbors who have to pay out-of-pocket.
“I just think this is ridiculous,” he added. “Let’s move on, let’s get this fixed, it’s just a negative stain on the city that has to stop.”
FOX5 reached out to the HOA, the McAuley Homeowners Associations, several times for an update on the repairs and have not heard back.
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