Does home insurance cover fire?

How does homeowners insurance cover fire?

Your homeowners insurance policy may protect your home (including sheds, free-standing garages, and fences) and personal property against damage from an electrical fire, a fire pit or fireplace mishap, or other accidental fires. Policies may also cover damaged trees, shrubs, plants, or landscaping. If you're temporarily displaced from your residence due to fire, you may also be covered for additional living expenses, such as lodging and meals, above what you’d normally spend.

Kitchen, electrical, and heater fires are typically the three most common types of fires . With house fires being prevalent, standard homeowners policies offer protection against fire under the following coverages:

Dwelling

If a fire destroys or partially damages your home, dwelling coverage may pay to rebuild or repair the home. Your insurance policy may also provide additional coverage to remove any debris, rubble, or collapsed sections of the dwelling.

Other structures

If fire damages or destroys a detached garage, barn, tool shed, or any other structure on your property that isn't attached to your home and not used for business purposes, other structures coverage may pay to rebuild or repair those structures.

Personal property

Personal property coverage may pay to repair or replace your personal belongings damaged or destroyed in a fire, such as furniture, clothing, and electronics. Your belongings are covered up to the limits of your personal property coverage and minus any deductible. For certain items such as collectibles, money/coins, and personal records, your policy may contain a sub limit (which provides a specific maximum coverage amount), so check your policy or contact your insurer for details.

Additional living expenses

If there's a fire and you're unable to live in your home, loss of use coverage may pay for an increase in necessary expenses associated with living elsewhere, such as your hotel stay, while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. Suppose you typically spend $250 per week on groceries but must now spend $400 dining out. Loss of use may cover the $150 difference.

More ways insurance can protect against fire damage

• If your vehicle is damaged in a garage fire, comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy can pay to repair or replace it, minus your deductible.
• If you live in a condo, your condo insurance may cover fire damage to your belongings and the interior of your unit.
• If your home or personal property is damaged by wildfire, find out if your homeowners policy offers protection against wildfire.
• Are you renting a home, condo, or apartment? Your renters insurance policy may cover damage from fire to your personal property.

Protect your home and property against fire with Progressive