Homeowners insurance protects you against unfortunate events that might result in bodily injuries or property damage inside your home. It covers perils like theft, burglary, fire, and bad weather. Your provider pays out the cost of repair or replacement of the damaged items. You can also choose to add special coverages to your policy, depending on your specific situation.
When it comes to fire damage, this policy pays the homeowners for repairs related to their house property, unattached structures, and personal belongings inside their homes. Here's a look at what qualifies as fire damages under a home insurance policy and how you can make a claim for fire damage.
Types of Fires Covered by Home Insurance
Candle fires
If you, a visitor, or any other person in your home accidentally knocks over a lit candle, the resulting damages will be covered by your home insurance policy.
Grease fires
Grease fires usually occur in the kitchen and are caused by cooking oil. Your policy will cover the damages caused by grease fires.
Electrical fires
A short circuit or power surge can cause serious damage to your home. It can fry your electrical appliances and cause a spark that can burn down your entire house. Your homeowners insurance can help cover the damages caused by such fires.
Does Home Insurance Cover Accidental Fires?
Your home insurance will cover accidental fires, provided you are able to prove that you didn't intentionally set your house on fire.
Exclusions to Standard Coverage
A fire that is caused intentionally will generally not be covered by a home insurance policy. This is to prevent criminals from getting compensated for their wrongdoings. Your provider will investigate your claim to check its authenticity, and you may even be penalized for making a false claim. Note that not all fire-related accidents are covered by homeowners insurance. For example, insurance companies may not be willing to include fire damage as standard coverage for those living in areas prone to wildfires.
How to File a Fire Insurance Claim
Once you have made sure that everyone is safe, your next step will be to call your insurance provider with all the required information to make a claim. These include:
- Your name and policy information
- The date and time of the event
- A brief account of the event
- The police or fire department report
- Records of the damage (photographs or videos)
- Insurance information of all parties involved
Your provider will review all the information and send a claims adjuster to your house. The adjuster will assess the extent of damage to your home and start processing your settlement.
If you want to learn more about home insurance and how it can protect your home against fire damage,
contact the experts at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services in Thousand Oaks, California. We are ready to assist you with all your coverage needs today.
