Does Home Insurance Cover Fires? What Every Homeowner Should Know
What if your biggest investment was in danger and you did not even realize it?
A house is the biggest purchase most people ever make, and they protect this investment with reliable home insurance. However, no policy covers every possible danger to the house. This leaves nervous homeowners with questions such as whether their policy will cover fire damage.
Are you curious about whether your policy comes with fire coverage? Or maybe you want to brush up on what to know before wildfire season? To get answers to these questions and more, keep reading to discover how home insurance for fires works.
Understanding Fire Coverage in Home Insurance
Wondering if your own policy will cover a fire at your house? First and foremost, it is important to review your specific policy. No two policies are exactly alike, and you may have more (or perhaps less) protection than is found in standard policies.
This guide will focus on what such standard policies cover and what is and is not typically covered with home fire insurance. In most cases, you can change your carrier whenever you want, and this information may help you determine whether it is time to get a better homeowners insurance policy.
What Standard Home Insurance Typically Covers
You may be asking yourself, “What does homeowners insurance cover?” A standard homeowners insurance policy provides protection for the house itself, detached structures (like garages or decks), and personal property. It also provides for additional living expenses that can help pay for a hotel and other costs associated with temporarily moving somewhere else while your home is repaired or rebuilt.
Types of Fires Usually Covered by Policies
Standard home insurance for fires is pretty robust. It will cover fires started by electrical damage, fire pit mishaps, and most other accidental fires. It is always recommended that you use and maintain smoke detectors to mitigate the chances of such an accident.
Does Home Insurance Cover Wildfires?
In California and other places, wildfire season presents a major risk to homes. No matter what precautions homeowners take (including installing smoke detectors and placing flammable objects well away from the house), their house may still be caught in a spreading wildfire.
Does home insurance for fires actually protect you during wildfire season? The answer to that is complex, but this guide will cover everything you need to know.
How Wildfire Coverage Varies by Location
Some areas are more prone to wildfires than others. Accordingly, home fire insurance protection may vary. In areas where wildfires are prevalent, there may be higher premiums, strict coverage limits, and/or separate deductibles. In some areas, select insurance carriers may severely restrict the kinds of policies they offer to homeowners.
What to Know If You Live in a High-Risk Area
If you live in a high-risk area for wildfires, it is vital to review your policy and speak with your carrier to verify what is and is not covered. You may need to subsequently change or update your policy and take preventive measures to mitigate the risk of your home catching fire. It is also important to review state options, such as the FAIR plan in California, which offers protection to those who otherwise cannot get a policy.
When Fire Damage Might Not Be Covered
Aside from wildfires, there are other instances where fire damage may not be covered by most types of homeowners insurance policies. And in far too many cases, homeowners do not learn about these coverage restrictions until it is too late.
What are these restrictions, and how can you review your own policy to ensure you are protected? Below, you will find the answers needed to give your home and family the protection they deserve.
Common Exclusions in Fire Coverage
The biggest exclusion when it comes to home insurance for fires is that no self-inflicted damage is covered. If the family child deliberately sets something on fire, for example, it will not be covered. Additionally, the policy will not pay out if an accidental fire was caused by poor maintenance, including faulty wiring that the homeowners should have previously repaired.
How to Read the Fine Print in Your Policy
When reviewing your homeowners policy, start by reviewing the limits on your dwelling, detached structures, and personal property coverage. See if there are words regarding wildfires, including special sublimits that limit payouts. Be sure to carefully review the exclusions to get a better idea of what perils are not covered by your policy.
Enhancing Your Coverage for Better Protection
Nobody wants to deal with a house fire. However, it is important to take precautions now to ensure you have enough financial protection in the future.
For example, you may wish to get additional riders and add-ons to strengthen your fire coverage. Or you may wish to change to a different carrier altogether that can better provide the exact kinds of service and protection you need.
Riders and Add-Ons to Strengthen Your Policy
Many carriers offer special fire insurance riders that are worth the extra coverage because they protect against perils not normally covered. You can also get policy add-ons that add additional protection for your personal property (such as expensive jewelry collections or high-end electronics) or even HVAC equipment, all of which may be damaged in a fire and not sufficiently covered by your standard policy.
Tips for Choosing the Right Fire Insurance
After reviewing your policy, you may decide you need to update things or switch to a new carrier altogether. When doing so, try to find a policy offering the most robust protection at the best possible price. Because you can typically switch policies at any time, you should shop around for a local carrier like InsureOne that offers the best protection at the most competitive prices.
Protect Your Home from Fire Risks with the Right Coverage
Now you know the most important things about home insurance for fires. This includes what is and is not covered, how you can protect your house, and what riders and add-ons are most important. But do you know which carrier is ready to give your home the protection it deserves?
At InsureOne, we specialize in protecting your house from fires and other future threats. When you are ready for the best prices and customer service, as well as the best coverage, come get a quote online. Of course, you can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to come find an InsureOne office near you.