Fire is one of the leading causes of damage to homes. This is why almost every homeowners insurance policy covers fire damage. Apart from your home, standard homeowners insurance policies also cover additional structures that may be on your property and the belongings inside. Furthermore, if your home is gutted by fire, the majority of standard policies also cater to the cost of additional living expenses, including restaurant bills and hotel stays.

Different Types of Coverage and How They Help

There are different types of coverage, and each type deals with a specific area of your home. Here is an in-depth look at how each type of coverage helps:

Dwelling Coverage.

The majority of homeowners insurance packages typically cover the main structure of your home, including the attached structures. For instance, if your home has a garage, it will be covered by the policy too. So if you leave a candle unattended and your kitchen and a few other rooms get burnt to a crisp, the cost of repairs will likely be covered. Also, if you can't stay in your home while it's being rebuilt or repaired, the insurance package will likely help pay for the costs associated with finding alternative accommodation.

Detached Structures.

The section of insurance that covers this is commonly called "other structures coverage." A lot of homeowners insurance policies help pay for the repairs of structures that are not attached to your home. This includes any detached garages, sheds, and fences on your property.

Personal Property

Apart from handling the repair and reconstruction of structures, homeowners insurance usually extends to personal belongings. This includes appliances, clothing, and furniture. Homeowners insurance usually helps protect your personal belongings against specific risks outlined in most policies as perils, and they include lightning strikes and fires. This means if your personal belongings are destroyed by a house fire, a homeowners insurance policy may help you to recover them.

Standard homeowners insurance can also cover landscaping. For instance, if there's a fire on your property and it destroys shrubs, it's possible to get reimbursed for some or all of their value. Also, depending on where you stay, a standard homeowners insurance policy can help protect your home against wildfire damage. However, it's crucial to go over the policy before you assume that the coverage extends to wildfires.

What if you Live in a High-Risk Area Prone to Wildfires?

As mentioned before, standard homeowners insurance packages usually include fire insurance. However, the situation may be different if you stay in a location at a high risk of fire damage. For instance, there are parts of Washington and California that are prone to wildfires. In such instances, standard home insurance policies may not include fire damage coverage. This means you may need to acquire a separate fire coverage policy.

The difference between a standard homeowners insurance policy and a fire insurance policy is that standard policies cover your home against several types of hazards. This includes wind, vandalism, theft, and hail, among others. On the other hand, a fire insurance policy is a standalone policy that focuses on protecting your home and belongings against smoke and fire damage.

Summing Up

Standard home insurance policies generally cover your home, attached and unattached properties, and belongings against fire damage. However, if you live in an area that's prone to wildfires, you may need to get separate coverage to protect your home. Fire insurance typically covers fires caused by lightning strikes, candles, electrical faults, and wildfires. The insurance will cover other causes unless you intentionally start a fire in your home. If that's the case, you will have to handle the repairs on your own. Homeowners insurance also doesn't usually cover damage caused by an act of war.