JERSEY SHORE -- A family from Lycoming County will end up paying thousands more than they expected to rebuild their home after a fire.
Now the family wants to warn other homeowners: check your insurance policy!
The family spoke with Newswatch 16 about the costly headache that could have been prevented.
Decorations are hung to help make Lanelle Sullivan comfortable in her kitchen. She says she still feels out of place at a rented house in Jersey Shore.
"It's uncomfortable sleeping on other people's things and just not having your own items," Sullivan said.
The home on High Street in Jersey Shore is where Sullivan and her family had lived for just over a year.
In December, they were preparing to celebrate their second Christmas in the home when an electrical fire gutted the inside of the house.
"It's a traumatic experience having a fire and losing your home and somewhere you thought you were safe," said Sullivan.
Once things calmed down, the family says they were ready to start rebuilding with the help of insurance money. That's when they realized they weren't completely covered.
"Our policy does not cover full replacement of our home."
Insurance is covering much of the repair cost but the Sullivans say they'll still have to pay about $30,000 out of their own pocket.
"We really are trying not to let it debt us any further, but that could be the case."
Sullivan is getting help from the community and family, but she wants to warn other homeowners.
"I want people to check their insurance policies," said Sullivan.
"Everybody gets the impression, 'Hey I have insurance. It's covered.' Know what you're covered for," said Christine Hoffman, a State Farm agent in Muncy.
She recommends homeowners take pictures, make an inventory list, or meet with their insurance agent once every two years.
"It's not so much price, it's what's right for you and what's going to protect you if a tragedy happens," said Hoffman.
The Sullivans hope to move back into their home in Jersey Shore by this summer.