Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildfire Damage?

Across the United States in 2020, there were nearly 59,000 wildfires that destroyed 18,000 homes and other buildings, resulting in billions in damages.

As wildfires become more common and severe, they affect more people, leaving them vulnerable to financial, physical, and emotional devastation. Researchers have found that humans are directly responsible for 84 percent of all wildfires in the United States.

When you live in an area where wildfires are likely to occur, you should understand your homeowner’s insurance coverage’s ability to protect your possessions in the event of a wildfire.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire Damage Caused By Wildfires?

Yes, the standard homeowner’s insurance policy includes coverage for smoke damage as well as fire damage.

Following are the types of coverage included in a policy that may come in handy in the event of wildlife damage.

1. Aspects of your property other than your home

Your home insurance policy also covers the destruction and damage caused by wildfires on structures such as your driveway, fences, sheds, detached garages, and other exterior structures on your property.

2. The cost of additional living expenses

When your place is uninhabitable due to fire or smoke, or if your area is forced to evacuate due to emergency conditions, you might be covered under “loss of use.” Your homeowner’s insurance companies will be able to cover additional expenses associated with temporarily leaving your home.

The expenses can be used to pay for hotel rooms as well as help pay for other basic living expenses, such as grocery shopping, laundry, pet boarding, and parking costs until your home becomes safe.

3. The place where you live, or your dwelling

Homeowners insurance covers the financial burden of damages to your home, also known as dwelling coverage. In the event of a wildfire damaging your home, your dwelling coverage would step in to help repair or replace the structure.

4. Your personal belongings

Personal property refers to all the things you own, such as jewelry and furniture.

You are covered if your stuff is damaged by smoke from a wildfire, whether it’s at home or anywhere else. If you have personal belonging coverage, it may cover the cost of cleaning or replacing the stuff when it’s damaged.

It is best not to throw out your valuables if some of them are beyond repair – clothing, furniture, electronics, etc. Instead, wait until the adjuster can inspect your stuff before throwing it away if it is covered under your insurance policy.

5. A person’s liability

Having personal liability insurance means that if someone gets injured on your property, causing it to be your fault, or if you or someone you named on your policy causes damage to someone else’s property, then you are covered by your insurance company. Even though most of this coverage won’t be relevant during a wildfire, it’s still good to keep in mind.

Prevention of Damage Caused by Wildfires

Homeowners insurance rates are highly influenced by where your home is located, as well as any possible hazards it faces. For example, having trees or foliage adjacent to your home or in your yard full of dry leaves and pine needles may result in astronomical premiums or coverage being denied.

Following these steps will reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home and lower your home insurance rates.

Noncombustible roofs and sidings are a good choice.
Make sure your home has a clearance of six inches from the ground to the siding.
Make sure your home is covered in Class A roofing materials such as concrete or clay tiles.
Don’t forget to clean your gutters regularly.
Make sure that all waste is cleared from your roof.
Ensure your fences and gates are non-flammable.
Make sure your windows are protected by using more than one pane of glass or tempered glass.
To protect against wildfires, select deck boards that comply with local building codes.
Ensure that there is no brush or shrubs underneath trees on your property.
If a wildfire is in your vicinity, make sure all windows are closed.
Anything flammable should be removed from underneath your deck.
Branches that hang over your home should be pruned.
If there are any dead plants near your home, remove them.

As a precaution, if your property is at risk of wildfire, you should also plan for fire suppression measures on your property.

Our expert team recommends not fighting large fires on your own, but make sure the length of your garden hose can reach all parts of your property so that any small fires can be put out. You might want to think about another source of water the fire department can access, such as a lake or pool, if you do not live near a fire hydrant. Think about installing a water storage tank or installing wildfire sprinklers on your property if you don’t already have one.

Final Verdict

In an age when wildfires are sweeping across an ever-larger swath of the country and the fire season is becoming longer every year, it is essential that homeowners in wildfire-prone areas be prepared and prioritize their safety. In the event of a natural disaster, understanding your homeowner’s insurance policy can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind. In addition, you may be able to prepare yourself better by taking some protective measures.