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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Wildfires cause a significant number of insurance claims in the U.S. each year, thanks to the huge losses that just one fire can cause. The annualized economic burden from wildfire was estimated to be between $71.1 billion to $347.8 billion as of 2017, according to from the U.S. Department of Commerce, while the annualized losses are estimated to range from $63.5 billion to $285.0 billion. And, it’s only expected to get worse. According to a , climate change and land-use change are expected to make wildfires more frequent and more intense, with an expected uptick of 14% by 2030. That risk will likely increase by 30% by the end of 2050, and by 50% by the end of the century. Compare rates and save on home insurance today! Get quotes Close X This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare home insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Continue Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Quick Facts $382/year average savings through Bankrate 2 out of 3 homes are underinsured 1 out of every 20 insured homes makes a claim each year 100% of homes need insurance before getting a mortgage Bankrate See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More Mortgage Leaving so soon Your custom quotes are just minutes away
Return to form This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare home insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Continue Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Quick Facts $382/year average savings through Bankrate 2 out of 3 homes are underinsured 1 out of every 20 insured homes makes a claim each year 100% of homes need insurance before getting a mortgage Bankrate See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More Mortgage Leaving so soon Your custom quotes are just minutes away
Return to form What that means is that a lot more people, and a lot more homes, could soon be at risk of damage or losses from wildfires. If you’re concerned about the number of wildfires the U.S. experiences each year, you may be wondering if your homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage. Knowing whether or not your homeowners insurance policy covers wildfire damage can make a huge difference in the stress you experience during a wildfire season, which is why it’s important to understand what kind of . By knowing what your homeowners insurance policy covers, you can make sure that you and your family are financially prepared in case your home becomes damaged or destroyed by a wildfire. How does homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage
usually cover damage caused by fires, including wildfires. Regardless of the you have, whether it is a standard HO-3 policy or a more comprehensive HO-5 policy, for example, damage caused by fire is typically covered. Dwelling coverage and detached structures
Your home and detached structures on your property, such as a fence or detached garage, are usually covered for wildfire damage under your homeowners insurance policy. Your home is covered under Coverage A, , while detached structures are covered under Coverage B, . Both of these coverage types have policy limits associated with them, so it’s important to review your insurance policy with a licensed insurance agent or homeowners insurance company to confirm your home is sufficiently covered. Personal property
If your personal property, such as clothing and furniture, are damaged or destroyed due to a wildfire, it will likely be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Personal belongings are covered under Coverage C, , and this coverage is usually set at 50% – 75% of your dwelling coverage. If some of your belongings are not stored within the home, such as in a storage unit, your homeowners insurance policy usually offers a small percentage of personal property coverage if these items are also damaged. However, personal items used for business purposes or , such as jewelry or fine art, may not have the needed coverage for wildfire damage under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Additional living expenses
Homeowners insurance also helps cover if you are temporarily displaced from your home because of a wildfire. Known as , or additional living expenses coverage, this coverage type can help cover expenses like hotel costs, restaurant or grocery expenses and pet boarding fees while your home is uninhabitable up to your policy limits. When does homeowners insurance not cover wildfire damage
Certain areas within the U.S. where homeowners have a higher chance of wildfire damage, such as California, may find it more difficult to get this type of coverage. may exclude wildfire damage on a standard insurance policy or be unwilling to write coverage at all in these high fire risk areas. If that is the case where you live, a Fair Access To Insurance Requirements plan, or , may be needed to have coverage in a wildfire-prone area. How to prevent home damage from wildfires
Wildfires are a common occurrence in the United States. It’s important to know what your homeowner’s insurance covers, but it’s also important to take precautions for your home’s safety. Here are some tips for keeping your home safe from wildfires and other types of fire damage: You should make sure that your home is properly equipped with a smoke detector and an extinguisher. Perform regular maintenance on your wood-burning stove or fireplace. Install sprinklers within your home. Keep all combustible materials away from open flames, such as a stovetop or fireplace. Clear brush and debris away from your home. Keep your gutters clear of leaves and other debris. The bottom line
When it comes to your home, you need to be prepared for a wildfire. By taking steps to prepare, you can potentially minimize the damage that occurs to your home and be back on your feet as soon as possible. But protecting yourself from wildfire losses is hardly just limited to having a fire extinguisher on hand or knowing how to file an insurance claim. Understanding how your homeowners insurance coverage applies to wildfire damages, or does not apply in some cases, can help you prepare if you live in an area that’s at high risk for wildfires. SHARE: This article was generated using automation technology and thoroughly edited and fact-checked by an editor on our editorial staff. Angelica Leicht is an insurance editor on the Bankrate team. She is truly passionate about helping readers make well-informed decisions for their wallets, whether the goal is to find the right comprehensive auto policy or the best life insurance policy for their needs. Related Articles