Eli Porter
Wildfire season brings fear and uncertainty to millions of renters living in fire-prone areas. Sometimes, while watching the news on wildfires spreading, one may question the safety measures in place to protect their homes and belongings. Do you have comprehensive renters’ insurance in the event of a disaster that affects your belongings? The first relief is that fire insurance of a basic standard renters insurance policy will cover losses from wildfires. Knowing renters insurance cover wildfires and how to go about it can help you relax during the flyer season.
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Does Renters Insurance Cover Wildfires Damage?
It is a fact that renters’ insurance protects the policyholder’s personal belongings against fire damage. Generally, a fire insurance policy is part of major fire insurance, and wildfire is a type of fire insurance. It is only under the policy that your purchase will be protected, whether the cause is a fireplace accident or a forest fire.
When a fire caused by a wildfire completely or partially destroys your house, your rental property insurance will compensate you for the loss of your personal items.
What Your Policy Covers
- Wildfire-caused destruction of the personal property
- Smoke damage to personal property from nearby fires
- Cost of temporary accommodation if evacuation is required
- Extra cost of living during temporary residence
- Personal belongings are kept in garages or garden sheds
In addition to direct fire damage, the coverage will include smoke damage, which is the most common cause of damage after a fire. In fact, smoke can travel long distances before reaching a particular place, and it can damage electronics, clothes, and furniture.
What Types of Wildfire Losses Are Covered?
Renters insurance covers a wide range of fire-related losses that may not be evident from just scorched property. This knowledge equips you with the understanding of what you can claim after a fire.
Direct Fire Damage
If your possessions are burnt in a wildfire, your insurance will pay for them as long as it is within your policy limits. Brushed off by the firemen, your flat gets gutted. Everything inside goes up in smoke. Your insurance will replace those items based on your coverage.
If you opt for replacement cost coverage, your old computer gets substituted with a new one of the same model. However, if you have actual cash value coverage, you will receive compensation equal to the item’s market value, less depreciation. Remember what type of coverage you have before a catastrophe.
Smoke and Soot Damage
Smoke is one of the major elements of a fire that can cause property damage. Your house might not even be close to the fire, but smoke can still penetrate and cause damage inside. Your TV might start having an issue because of it. Your clothes will smell like smoke. Your furniture will become soiled, and you will not be able to clean it.
Your insurance policy pays for the restoration and replacement of the smoke-damaged property. The cost of professional cleaning is included if the items are salvageable. Otherwise, the items are considered totally destroyed and will be replaced according to the coverage type.
Evacuation and Displacement Costs
The authorities can order you to evacuate your home at any time, especially when a wildfire is threatening your neighborhood. Your renters’ insurance provides the necessary funds for you to find temporary accommodation through the Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage that is included in your policy.
Covered Evacuation Expenses
- Hotel or motel accommodations
- Temporary apartment rentals
- Restaurant meals when you can’t cook
- Pet boarding during evacuation
- Increased commuting costs
- Storage unit fees for saved belongings
Typically, ALE coverage ends when you are allowed to return home or when the repairs have been completed.
Water Damage From Firefighting
When a wildfire breaks out, firefighters have no choice but to use water endlessly in their efforts to control the problem. This water, however, can flood the nearby houses, and the water can get into the rooms and ruin the furniture and other things in the house. Your electronic gadgets get destroyed by water. Your furniture gets waterlogged and is now in danger of mold.
Your renters’ insurance will pay for the damages caused by the water used in firefighting. Because it is considered a fire loss, this is significant, and you can claim the damages to the property by fire and water together.
What Are the Things That Renters Insurance Doesn’t Cover for Wildfires?
Understanding the loopholes in coverage helps you stay prepared without any unexpected situations during claim filing. There are some wildfire-related circumstances that are away from the protective cover of the standard policy.
The Building Structure
The building is your landlord’s property, and hence, structural insurance is something that he takes care of. Renters insurance is limited to your personal belongings and your liability. Other than that, the landlord should take care of the property that has been damaged due to fire, such as walls, roof, and floors that were burned.
There is no need for you to contribute towards rebuilding an apartment complex. Structural repairs through your landlord’s property insurance. Your coverage only includes the replacement of your belongings and the reimbursement of your temporary living expenses.
Your Vehicle
Cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles require their own separate auto insurance that provides wildfire protection. Even if your vehicle happens to be in a parking spot that gets burned during a wildfire, renters’ insurance will not cover it. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage includes protection from fire damage to vehicles.
Ensure that your cars are insured adequately. A lot of renters mistakenly believe that their policy covers all the possessions they have. Contrary to that, cars require a separate insurance policy that also includes fire and comprehensive coverage.
Outdoor Property
It is possible that the possessions that are outside of the rental unit are not covered. Patio furniture, barbeques, and bicycles in the common areas are exposed to either very limited or no protection at all. Some policies exclude property that is kept outside the dwelling.
You should check the language of the specific policy regarding outdoor items. Moving valuable outdoor items inside during fire season is a good way to protect them not only physically but also financially. Your policy assures coverage for the items that are inside your rental unit.
Preventable Damage
In the case when the fire is your fault due to being extremely negligent, the insurance will reject the claim. For example, you were stubborn and refused to evacuate as per the orders despite knowing that a wildfire was coming, thus making it impossible to prevent the damage. Your insurance will not cover losses that were a direct result of your reckless behavior.
In case you comply with authorities and take reasonable measures, your coverage will be in place. Do not hesitate to follow the evacuation orders first. When there is still time, give a little effort to protect your belongings. Insurance will help you recover financially when a disaster strikes, but it will not cover damages caused by careless behavior.
Related: Does Renters Insurance Cover Pet Damage to Carpet? Ultimate Guide
Conclusion
If your house gets damaged by a fire, renters’ insurance will cover the cost of your lost belongings and will also help you with finding a new place to live in case of an evacuation. Having such protection is great for your financial security when your neighborhood is on fire.
Make sure you go through your policy and make a home inventory before the fire season. What you do today is what will make a difference in your recovery tomorrow. Don’t wait until you can see the smoke to check your insurance. Get covered now and live stress-free the entire year.
