Does Renters Insurance Cover Fires?

The personal property coverage in renters insurance policies automatically includes protection against damage caused by fires.

Personal property coverage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your items in the event of a covered loss, such as theft or fire. Also known as contents insurance, this type of coverage is often included in renters policies and typically covers furniture, electronics, clothes, artwork and sports equipment.

MoneyGeek’s guide can help you understand when your renters insurance policy covers fires and when it doesn’t.

Fire is one of the common perils your renters insurance covers. If fire destroys your belongings, you will be eligible for payment from your insurer, unless you caused the fire intentionally. Some of the situations when renters insurance covers fire damage include:

Renters insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace belongings damaged by fire. However, your policy will not include damage to the physical building, as this is the landlord’s responsibility. Monetary limits often exist for valuable items, such as jewelry and fine art. You may need to purchase additional insurance to cover such items.

While your renters insurance includes protection against fire damage, certain instances may not be covered, such as when the insurer can prove that you purposely caused the fire.

Insurance companies also place limits on high-value items, such as firearms, antiques and jewelry. It’s wise to speak to your provider and explore limits for these items. In most cases, your renters insurance won’t cover your roommate’s personal property, so roommates may need to purchase their own coverage.

Although it’s good to have insurance against fires, prevention is the best policy. Checking for faulty wiring, as well as exercising caution in the kitchen and with alternative heating sources, can significantly help reduce the risk of fire in your rental unit.

Major insurance providers like Allstate, GEICO and Nationwide and smaller regional companies, such as Toggle and Lemonade, provide renters insurance policies in the United States.

If you need to purchase a policy but are unsure of the best option for your needs, you can use MoneyGeek’s guide to compare renters insurance quotes across multiple companies.

MoneyGeek found that renters insurance costs an average of $13 per month. However, your rates may vary depending on various factors, including where you live and how much personal property you own. You can use the following personal property calculator to determine how much coverage suits your needs.