3 Types of Home Fires Not Covered by Insurance

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

A solid homeowner's insurance policy usually includes protection against home fire. While most plans cover nearly every scenario and fire damage, there are some incidents that cannot be included. These fires are usually either unlikely to occur or are often used for exploitation and financial gain. If you are a homeowner, you might need to learn more about these fires to prepare to work with an insurance agent and a residential remediation company.

1. Vacant Fire

A common exception in general fire insurance involves a vacant home. While a vacant home fire can be defined differently by multiple insurance providers, a house is generally considered vacant if there are no inhabitants for 30 days in a row. So, if a fire occurs due to vandalism or a natural disaster in your uninhabited property, it cannot be covered. However, you can add separate vacant home coverage to your existing plan.

2. Self-Inflicted Fire

Sometimes, a home fire may be caused by someone with the intention of hurting you or destroying your property. This is generally considered arson. However, in the insurance field, this term only applies to fires started by owners to make a claim. Insurance companies send investigators who collaborate with police to determine the cause. If the authorities discover a third party started the fire, it is classified as vandalism and you can make a valid claim.

3. Unlikely Hazards

There are also other situations that insurance agencies cannot properly cover because either the loss is too great, or the causes are too unlikely to include in a general plan. The destruction caused by a war conflict or an incident involving nuclear energy is likely excluded from your policy. However, there are some agencies that provide additional, specialized coverage in addition to the regular risk areas.

Insurance for a home fire can cover a variety of factors, from natural disasters to vandalism. However, there are a few exceptions you must consider when choosing the right plan for your property.