Ben Napier Looks Back on ‘Bittersweet’ ‘Home Town: Inn This Together’ Journey
What To Know
- Ben Napier took to social media to share behind-the-scenes photos from Home Town: Inn This Together.
- Ben addressed the August 2025 fire that heavily damaged the Heirloom Hotel shortly before its opening.
- Erin Napier recently made an emotional plea about the hotel’s insurance claim via Instagram.
HGTV‘s Home Town: Inn This Together came to both a heartwarming and heartbreaking end.
The Sunday, May 31, episode saw Erin and Ben Napier, along with their friends Jim and Mallorie Rasberry and Josh Nowell, finish renovating the Heirloom Hotel in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. The group got to show the completed transformation to local officials ahead of its opening day.
Ahead of the episode, Ben took to Instagram to share several 35mm film photos he took throughout the renovation process, including locals enjoying the building’s retail spaces before the hotel’s official opening. “Walking through that retail space full of our products with that same logo, seeing those signs go up on that beautiful building, and watching our staff show off the things they made is more than any dream I could’ve had,” he captioned the Saturday, May 30, post. “ For something to have started so small to reach this level is more than I ever expected.”
Ben shared more photos of “the hotel name and sign going up” via Instagram on Sunday, adding, “This sign going up was one of the coolest things I’ve ever gotten to witness!” Teasing the finale, he wrote, “The last minute of the show will be hard to watch, and shocking. But don’t let that be what you take away from this series about determination and resilience.”
View this post on Instagram
The end of Home Town: Inn This Together‘s final episode addressed the August 2025 fire that severely damaged the building. The episode aired footage of Erin and Mallorie crying as the fire was put out, as well as clips of damaged goods in the building’s stores.
“Last nights episode was bittersweet,” Ben captioned a Monday, June 1, Instagram post, which featured more 35mm photos from filming. “Our friends worked so unbelievably hard, and we have never been more proud to be their friends. The fire shocked everyone. It has felt like a death of a loved one in the community.”
He continued, “It has been nearly a year since the fire, and our friends are STILL waiting on @libertymutual to complete the claim. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know God holds us. Thanks for watching the biggest thing to happen in downtown Laurel in a long time.
View this post on Instagram
Ben’s Monday upload echoed the Instagram post Erin shared with her followers on Sunday. “My dear friend, Mr. Amos Sledge, age 11, hopes @libertymutual hears his plea and does the right thing. So do I,” the HGTV star wrote alongside photos of letters written by a young fan to Liberty Mutual.
In one of the letters, Amos wrote, “Our country has been in a hard time lately. This hotel and this show have shown truth and beauty, and what hard work and true friendship can do. As of right now, your company has not approved their claim to have the money to rebuild. It is heartbreaking to watch the show and see how hard they worked. They put it all on the line. I am writing to ask respectfully that you please approve their claim. This is your chance to prove Liberty Mutual is different.”
View this post on Instagram
Amos concluded the letter by writing, “This is not about any little town, but a town that is a beacon of light for our nation. If you do the right thing, it will keep the light shining.”
Conversation49 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
G
Who wants to insure with Liberty Mutual now? Not me.
-
C
This is certainly putting Liberty Mutual in a bad light. So typical of an insurance company delaying the processing and paying on a claim. Wonder how many current and possible future customers will remember this when looking for insurance coverage?
-
R
Agreed! Step up, Liberty Mutual!! We are ALL watching and waiting….
-
K
I have Liberty mutual that I started this past year and I'll be looking for new insurance now.
-
Q
Yeah, I was done with Liberty Mutual when they pulled out of California and canceled my renters insurance. 😟
-
-
-
P
It was so wonderful watching this series. We were so excited to see the last episode, and then to see the end of it was devastating. I just can’t stop thinking about it ! Many prayers are going up! Liberty Mutual will be very unhappy if they refuse to cover this. Millions of viewers will be extremely unhappy!
We pray this will be resolved.
-
C
I watched the show and was so happy until the end where it showed the fire. I was so heartbroken. Liberty Mutual do what's right and get these wonderful people back into their hotel!
-
Z
Liberty Mutual this is your chance to do the right thing. If you want to compete with the large U.S. companies, we are watching you. This may be a make it or break it decision. If I was a wealthy person I would send Mallorie, Jim and Josh a million dollars to help them.
-
-
M
Complain to the State Insurance Commissioner!!!
-
B
My sweet little mother did that once and boy did that claim your total fast
-
-
J
How devastating. Completely shocked. Our thoughts and prayers with all of you.
Shame on you liberty/ Biberty mutual. Make this right
-
C
News of the fire was so awful. I'm sorry about this. Ben and Erin's Home Town is one of my favorite shows. Keep praying to get the insurance company to release the funds to rebuild.
-
S
What a shame! All of that hard work! Im so sorry this has happened and on top of the anguish if the fire you have an insurance company that is taking their sweet time to process their claim. Just adds to the heartbreak they've been through. Di the right thing Liberty Mutual!
-
J
Love this couple and their shows. I can feel their sincerity. Insurance especially fire insurance is full of roadblocks and hoops. Eventually they will pay if you get an attorney. Too bad the fire happened. We are sending love and positive energy to Laurel.
-
K
I think this is extremely sad. While watching this show I was like I want to go to this hotel then before the end I went on line and heard about the fire… Now I’ve learned about liberty mutual not paying . This is outrageous . Please do the right thing liberty mutual…. I would definitely come visit the hotel and I know it could be huge…. Sending prayers and love ….
-
G
Liberty Mutual? Enough said.
-
M
I watch every episode of their shows. They are truly American hard working people. Since I watched the fire episode I have been so upset, like I lost someone
-
M
Everyone needs to write to liberty Mutual. Our voices can be heard. How many letters can we get going. These honest and loving people need our help. They were there for others. Letters don't need to say much. Just let them know we are the people that watch their commercials and buy their insurance. Are you listening? We are.
-
T
I watched the entire series...couldn't wait for the finale....all the hard work that went into the restoration of that old building, which turned into a beautiful hotel...I was heartbroken 💔 in tears 😢 over the fire which basically destroyed everything. I am so sorry this happened to all of you. My heart,love,and prayers are with each and everyone of you,and hopefully the insurance company will do the right thing and settle yall's claim.
Question???? The fire started on the roof....was it the sign???? Have they determined the cause yet???
Once again I am devastated 😢 💔 over how this ended,but hopefully soon it will just be the beginning of the rebuild.
-
N
Your “Framily” has been an inspiration to all who watch you. If you walked down the road to my house in the outskirts of New York, I would feel like I knew you and would invite you all in to break bread at my house. Had an electric fire in one of our previous homes over 25 years ago and there’s no way to describe the devastation of seeing that … I’ll never forget the smell, but what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and I pray and believe all good things will come your way so hang in there like I know you all will … you have each other and an incredibly caring town behind you …it WILL be an amazing legacy for your children, that I KNOW! Our insurance company wouldn’t do the right thing when it happened to us, but we splurged on a tough private adjuster and ultimately won and got what we needed … shame that that’s what needs to be done most times … they’re all crooks, but again, you all got this and it will work out in the end! Love, patience, strength and prayers to you all!
-
P
I was so excited because my cousin, Kevin, was on TV doing what he knows best. I love the show and felt like my family was a part of something really special and was beyond heartbroken when I saw the ending. Liberty Mutual’s delay in settling the claim hits just like our current government not taking care of the people of our great country. It’s a travesty and, in my opinion, a sin to not honor what they’re supposed to do as an insurance company. It happens all over this America where people pay out of the nose for insurance and can’t get the money needed to restore their lives after tragedy. Liberty has the opportunity to change that and make good on their word and pay up! I’ll be praying that justice is done ASAP and think that the world needs to look at the people of Home Town and how close this little town is to each other and how they will help each other in times of crisis. It’s truly a life lesson. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
-
K
I think liberty insurance will not be getting a lot of business going forward. You expect us to pay our premiums on time but here we are going on a year and you can't get it together and process s claim. These poor people put their heart and soul into this. You should be ashamed.
-
J
Having lived through hurricane Ian in Florida, my attitude toward insurance has totally changed. I guess we are going to have to start legislation against them and demand they pay the actual replacement costs plus interest from the day of the loss. Liberty mutual should be on the bottom of the list along with progressive insurance. As my friend who owns a body shop stated, Liberty Mutual? Yes you have insurance, you just don't have coverage.
-
C
Start a stock issuing company. Sell stock and buy it back when profitable. You have done so much to bring Laurel back to life I would hate to see this setback discourage you and all the people in small towns and cities that have learned from you how to bring life back to their towns. Getting your momentum back is so important and you have so many people who respect what you did for your town. You can do it again.
-
D
Insurance Companies hate to part with funds but they'll cancel you in a heartbeat if you miss a premium payment. There's no excuse for them taking a year! There's nothing that requires them to pay in a timely manner! Best of luck to them all!
-
D
This fire is so sad. All of the blood, sweat and tears all these people put into remodeling this building.
The insurance company needs to step up to the plate and do whats right.
-
B
Let's all get together and send Erin and Ben and their friends donations so they can repair and rebuild their hotel? It doesn't have to be a lot. Just send whatever each person can afford to send. It will all add up.
-
-
F
All insurance companies are just greedy. They take our premiums and balk when they have to pay out. I will never buy from "Libberty Nebbberty" as their stupid commercials proclaim.
-
K
What an opportunity missed. Liberty Biberty could have won huge marketing good faith by settling this claim quickly.
-
T
Ben and Aaron‘s hometown show is one of the best on TV. I was so elated watching the blood sweat and tears that went into building that hotel that their friends sank their entire life savings into and sat here in tears as I watched the flames consume their hard work, liberty mutual what is wrong with you? You want to take in money but you don’t want to pay it out what goes around comes around wake up and smell the roses liberty mutual pay the claim let these people realize their dream. They certainly worked hard enough for it and deserve it. I’m sure they never miss paying you your monthly payments now it’s time for you to step up.
-
B
I too was devastated watching the end of the last show as the firemen were putting out the flames. Since the insurance company won't do what's right, and it's been one whole year...why don't we people who care about Erin and Ben Napier and their friends, pull together and send then our own money/donations to fix and repair the Heirloom Hotel.
Why not? Nothing can and should not stop us good people from helping them, especially with all the people they've helped. I will try and find out their address and mail them a donation. I hope other people will read my reply and also mail Erin and Ben out by mailing them a donation. Our tears and prayers may help, but right now for them they need our help to go forward
-
-
D
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
I was in insurance for 40+ years as an injury specialist, but I have been exposed to statute of limitations, pay out and bad faith.
Important issues are keep everything the insurance company provides, find out what your policy limits are, do you have replacement coverage, and an excess policy.
There are time limits that the insurance company has to investigate, evaluate and make an offer. The first offer usually is low, as they can only see the property damage. They cannot see behind the walls etc.
if they are {dragging their feet}, making an offer, or anything else that is reasonably expected, it can be considered bad faith.
That leaves the company open to bad faith, and punitive damages.
I would write a letter, if you haven’t, directly to liberty advising of what you feel is the cost of rebuilding, and replacement.
Give them a time you expect a good faith offer to be made and what you feel is the extent of loss value. I’m sure you have documentation as to all work that was done. If by that date you expect an offer is not forthcoming, get an attorney (their fees may be reimbursed by liberty) and the attorney go forward. They will know what is needed for liberty to step up to their obligation. Gods got you.
I hope you read this and it gives you some direction.
-
L
I, as everyone else was shocked and heart broken for the crew. But to hear that they thought it started with the lights, maybe the sign? Until a full investigation is complete and shows what started it the insurance company is not going to pay out cause if it's proven that it started with the installment of the sign or the roofing those companies r going to have to help pay out a portion of the $$. Some will disagree which is fine. I just, like everyone else hope they r able to rebuild and open. God bless all that live there and the crew.
-
W
I've always watched the show,never got tired of it even before this "Inn This Together" hotel. Now very sad indeed to see it gone in smoke. Very brief moment to enjoy its beauty & expert craftsmanship. But for sure they will prevail.#Godspeed#GodBless.
-
D
I hope that the insurance claim gets settled so they can rebuild it’s heartbreaking seeing all the hard work go up in flames. God is good and I will continue to pray for a fast recovery
-
B
I too watch Erin and Ben Napiers Home Town show. It was my favorite show. I had a thought. Since the insurance company isn't doing what they should do, why don't we people who care about Erin and Ben and their friends, send them donations so they can repair and rebuild their hotel? Even if we all just send a small amount or whatever we can afford to send, it will all add up. I know this will really help Erin and Ben and their friends heal and get them back on their feet.
-
-
V
I was horrified! Im so very sorry for your loss. Personal mementos that meant so much. My heart breaks for you all. You’ll be in my prayers. Victoria
-
B
Let's all send donations to Erin and Ben and their friends. Whatever each person can afford to send. It will all add up. I know this will help Erin and Ben and their friends heal and get back on their feet.
-
-
P
Sending prayers your way. Your hard work and love will not go unanswered. Stay strong. God is protecting you all!
-
B
I too watched the last episode of Erin and Bens Hometown Inn and was devastated. I too agree that praying for them and their friends will help. But I had a thought...why don't we people who care about them send them donations to help them repair and rebuild the Hotel? Even if each person sends a small donation. It will all add up. I think that would really help them to heal and get back on their feet to rebuild. They have helped so many people redo their homes, and helped us viewers who faithfully watched their shows bring back faith in what good people can do. It's helped me. It was my favorite show.
-
-
M
We were there 3 weeks ago. Took my 90 year old mother to see the town. We both love the show. It's such a shame this happened she really wanted to see you both and watch Ben build. Hope it works out
-
L
Maybe Liberty/Biberty Limu/Emu ought to stop with the stupid commercials and stick to the basics. This fire was ruled accidental. There is no reason for them to withhold payout. Hoping that they step up and do the right thing, and not put the poor folks in Laurel through any more anguish. Lifting you up in prayer Laurel “framily”!🙏🏻
-
D
You guys did such an awesome job creating the inn and the retail spaces from nothing except a shell of a building. I was heartbroken the way it ended. Liberty Mutual better do the right thing and pay the claim. I know a lot of customers will be looking elsewhere for a new insurance company if they don't.
-
C
If liberty Mutual wants to increase their popularity they need to approve the claim .It will show people you have a heart along with being a business.
-
L
I saw the whole Inn this together " episodes..had heard about the devastating fire..but seeing how very hard everyone worked..and what they put on the line was awesome..then heartbreaking as the fire took its toll..please Liberty Mutual..get this resolved so they can rebuild and get this beautiful piece of history opened!! God bless you all!!
-
K
Maybe he would get quicker results if he addressed them as “Biberty”.
-
B
Im a cynic but that show was so uplifting i found myself talking about the very small town i grew up in as a positive for the first time ever
Now the cynic in me is back at the insirance company dragging its feet. We all saw the footage of how they spent so much on that hotel, only the best. Bit im thinking any of our insurance company would drag tbeir feet when our nations gov drags it geet when doing the right thing any more.
-
Q
When I was in business I owned a building my insurance company was Guess who Liberty mutual.
We had a claim the stretch through the extent of the policy
They were horrible to deal with and drug their feet for two and a half years. Get yourself a good attorney.
-
M
My husband and I watched every episode and were planning to visit your lovely town and hotel in September. Hope you get good news soon from the insurance company.
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services