Forest Fire Insurance

With the smoke in the air, we’re getting a lot of questions about coverage relating to fire damage from forest fires. Please remember that every insurance policy is different and if you’re in doubt give your insurance provider a call to verify.

However, by in large insurance policies make no distinction between fire arising from a natural cause (such as transfer from another fire or lightning) or artificial causes (faulty wiring). Insurance companies came into existence for the purpose of providing coverage for policyholders against the peril of “fire” and it remains at the core of virtually every property insurance policy to this day. There are two types of home insurance in common use, one being “named perils” coverage – whereby insurance is provided for those causes of loss that are specifically listed as “Covered”. The other commonly used form of insurance is an “all risk” policy, which provides coverage for all losses other than those specifically excluded. In both cases, fire is considered an insured loss.

Under automobile coverage, fire falls under the comprehensive coverage section, If you have comprehensive or specified perils coverage for your vehicle / recreational trailer it would also have coverage against fire (again natural or artificial).

For scheduled items, such as boats & motors, ATV’s, coverage generally follows the “All risk” format noted above, however for items such as these some other forms of coverage do exist.

Once again, please keep in mind every policy of insurance can be different, and it’s always best to verify your policy coverage by reviewing your coverage wording or speaking with your insurance provider.

Also check out our Forest Fire Coverage Q&A Blog – Forest Fire & Insurance Q&A