Home » Insurance » Home Owners » Important Things To Know About Fire Insurance

Important Things To Know About Fire Insurance

Fire Insurance is a specific form of property insurance that protects individuals or businesses from losses incurred by a fire (fire damage or fire destruction or relocation in case of a fire). There are four types of fire insurance policies that are available in the market – one that pays the actual value of the property damaged in the fire, the next that provides an adequate replacement, the third that replaces a specific component damaged in the fire, and the fourth that reimburses fire victims for relocation expenses. Almost all fire insurances cover the belongings that are destroyed in a fire – interior, furniture, clothes and valuables. The following are the important things to know about Fire Insurance:

Getting Fire Insurance

fire insurance
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Fire insurance can be purchased separately or can be bundled as a part of a comprehensive home insurance policy or a standard property insurance policy. There is an additional fire liability insurance to cover damages and costs to a third party due to a fire incident on your property. Before signing up, one should check whether fire insurance is part of their current policy (home insurance or property insurance).  One also needs to be sure that the policy includes a “relocation dwelling” clause. In areas where fires occur frequently, this coverage is provided as a part of a standard fire policy.

How expensive is Fire Insurance coverage? Fire insurance is normally not very expensive. The costs however vary based on the locality and the business category. Some businesses that are prone to fire and some areas that have a history of fires get more expensive fire insurance than places and categories where this is a smaller risk. Like in auto insurance where a good driving record reduces one’s insurance costs, the use of fire safety systems like fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire evacuation methods, and other safety measures will decrease the cost of a fire policy.

Fire Insurance pricing – fire insurance, like other insurance, is paid monthly or annually.  As for the payout in the event of an actual fire – some insurance companies will pay the actual amount (plus or minus the property rise and fall), while other insurance companies pay the replacement costs… check the policy terms.

Choosing the Right Fire Insurance Company – One should check the reputation of the fire insurance company with rating organizations, as also the risk pool of the company for replacement-related resolutions.  Often, the company that provides your current home insurance could give the fire policy with the right terms and prices. Some fires are specific to an area and therefore it is advisable to take it from a company that has the expertise in the specific category and location. When choosing the insurance company, it is important to get a “peace of mind” feeling on your fire insurance policy and a certain assurance that you will be able to “get back on your feet” quickly.

Fire Insurance Claims – Claims in fire insurance can be very high and varied, and unlike other insurance, which have a pre-defined paper work, fire insurance documentation is pretty lengthy with lot of “claim justification” processes in place. It is advisable to understand the claims handling approach of the insurance company and be aware of it prior to the fire event.

Footnote: It’s interesting to note that the Danes use the expression oplysninger om brand forsikring for Fire Insurance check this web page. There you can also find tips and ideas how to find the ideal insurance company for you.

See Also:

Scroll to Top