Debris Removal? What’s that for?

“What’s this line about debris removal?”

A landlord asked me this while reviewing their property policy, pointing to a line item that seemed minor.

Here’s how I explained it:

Imagine there’s a fire at your building. Part of the roof is gone. The interior is trashed. Insurance is there to help rebuild—but before you can do any of that, you’ve got to clear out the mess. That’s debris removal.

Now, here's the kicker: this particular building?
✔️ Sits on a tight lot with zero side access
✔️ Faces a busy street with no easy staging area
✔️ Has neighboring tenants that operate a medical clinic and a boutique next door

So what should be a relatively simple cleanup job?
Not so simple.

You’re now talking about coordinating dumpsters, permits, street closures, after-hours work to minimize disruption, environmental safety measures, even flaggers. The price to haul off debris just skyrocketed.

That’s why this coverage matters.
Without it, those costs either hit your wallet—or eat into your rebuild budget.

This is exactly the kind of thing your agent should be walking you through. If they’re not talking to you about how coverage actually plays out in the real world, it might be time for a new conversation.