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Does homeowner’s insurance cover wildfire damage?

On Behalf of | Jun 10, 2021 | Insurance Law

The number of wildfires taking place across California continues to grow. The fires seen throughout the state are also becoming increasingly severe, causing billions of dollars in damages each year.

According to Bankrate, last year was a particularly bad year for wildfires, with the state seeing more than twice as many wildfires as it did during the previous record year. As a California homeowner, you may have questions about whether your homeowner’s insurance covers wildfire damage so you know what to expect should the unthinkable occur.

Homeowner’s insurance and wildfire damage

There is no single, one-size-fits-all answer to whether homeowner’s insurance is going to cover wildfire damage. However, many homeowner’s insurance policies do cover damages that result from a wildfire. Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it mentions dwelling coverage, “other structure” coverage, personal property coverage or loss-of-use coverage. If it does, it may cover at least some of the damages your home or property suffer as a result of a wildfire.

Condo insurance and wildfire damage

Just as most homeowner’s insurance policies cover wildfire damage, most condo insurance policies do the same when it comes to your living space’s interior walls. Typically, when the exterior walls of your condo suffer damage in a wildfire, it is the responsibility of your homeowner’s association to take care of it.

If you live in an area of California that is particularly prone to wildfire activity, your homeowner’s insurance provider may decide to deny or discontinue your coverage. It may do so because it considers your property to be high-risk. Under these circumstances, you may have alternative coverage options available to you.