Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, business owner, or car owner, fire can destroy your property and cause a devastating financial loss. That’s why insurance companies consider fire one of the most important perils to protect against across many types of policies. It’s critical for all residents in Florida to know which of their policies covers fire damage and how.

Fortunately, a Florida independent insurance agent can help you find the right homeowners insurance or other policy to protect your property and belongings from fire damage. They’ll also be able to get you set up with additional fire insurance if necessary. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here’s a deep dive into fire insurance in Florida.

What Is Fire Insurance?

Though fire insurance is available as a separate product, this critical coverage is also already included in many standard policies in Florida, such as homeowners insurance, business insurance, and car insurance. According to insurance expert Paul Martin, fire is often the first listed peril on many forms of insurance because it’s such a common and costly threat to all kinds of property. A Florida independent insurance agent can help make sure you have fire coverage.

What Does Fire Insurance Cover in Florida?

While you can purchase just a fire and lightning policy to protect many forms of property, Martin says, fire coverage is also included in many policies you might have already. As far as homeowners insurance is concerned, fire coverage operates like this:

• Provides reimbursement for up to 50% of your home’s value against fire damage.
• Provides coverage for the dwelling and your personal property, or belongings.
• Coverage begins after the policy deductible is met.
• Coverage may apply to the original replacement value of fire damaged items, though other policies subtract any depreciation.
• Replacement value riders can be added to protect the original value of any fire damaged items if this coverage isn’t already included.

A Florida independent insurance agent can help you review your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy to ensure you’re set up with enough fire coverage.

What Doesn’t Fire Insurance Cover in Florida?

Martin explains that fires that remain within their intended space, such as your fireplace or grill, are often excluded by most insurance companies. This type of fire is often referred to as a “friendly fire” and is therefore not covered by your insurance.

Other exclusions under fire insurance are:

Since Florida is prone to flooding, it’s crucial to consider getting a separate flood insurance policy to further protect your property. A Florida independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with flood insurance as well as numerous other types of coverage to protect you from many different disasters.

How Common and Costly Are Fires in the US?

Total incurred losses due to fire in the US from 1990 to 2018

(in million US dollars)

Fire damage losses have greatly increased in recent decades. In 1990, a reported $9.49 million was lost due to fire. By 2018, this number had jumped four and a half times, to $43.58 million.

Total number of reported fires in the United States in 2019, by type

In 2019, 481,500 fires were reported in structures including homes, businesses, etc. Also in 2019, 189,500 fires were reported in highway vehicles, and another 33,500 fires occurred in other vehicles.

Fires are an extremely common and costly threat to homes, businesses, and vehicles alike. That’s why it’s imperative to review the fire coverage section of all your standard insurance policies with your Florida independent insurance agent to make sure you’re good to go.

Does Car Insurance Include Fire Coverage in Florida?

Martin says that for your car insurance to cover fire damage, you’d need to have purchased comprehensive car insurance, or “other than collision” coverage. Comprehensive car coverage protects your vehicle from not only fire damage, but also:

• Theft and vandalism
• Flood damage
• Windshield breakage
• Wind and hail damage

To ensure that your vehicle is fully guarded against fire damage and many other threats, work together with a Florida independent insurance agent to find the right comprehensive car insurance for your needs.

Does Homeowners Insurance in Florida Cover All Types of Fires?

Most fires of a “hostile” nature, rather than “friendly,” are covered by homeowners insurance in Florida. But you’ll want to double-check your specific policy to be sure. Homeowners insurance in Florida often covers these types of fires:

• Grease fires
• Electrical fires
• Forest fires
• Wildfires

Note that if your area is prone to wildfires, your homeowners insurance company may require you to purchase a separate wildfire insurance policy. But this exception applies more to residents in California and other wildfire-prone states than Florida.

Here’s How a Florida Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

When it comes to protecting home and car owners against devastating perils like fires, no one’s better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. Florida independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in fire insurance, home insurance, and car insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.