Wildfires are no longer limited to remote forests or rural areas. With hotter, drier seasons fueled by climate change, communities across the western United States are facing growing wildfire risk — from suburban neighborhoods to city edges once thought safe. For homeowners, this raises an urgent question: does your current insurance policy fully protect you if a wildfire strikes?
The Rising Threat of Wildfires
In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, more destructive, and more costly. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, over 7.5 million acres burned across the U.S. in 2023 alone. Entire communities have been displaced, and billions of dollars in property damage have been recorded.
Even if your home isn’t in what’s traditionally considered a “high-risk” area, wind-driven embers can spread fire for miles. That means preparedness and comprehensive insurance coverage are more important than ever.
What Standard Homeowners Insurance Covers
Most homeowners insurance policies include fire damage under standard coverage. This typically protects your:
- Dwelling: The structure of your home itself.
- Other Structures: Detached garages, fences, or sheds.
- Personal Property: Belongings inside your home, like furniture, clothing, or electronics.
- Loss of Use: Living expenses if you’re displaced while your home is being repaired.
This is a strong foundation — but it doesn’t always tell the full story.
Where Coverage May Fall Short
- Coverage Limits: Rising construction costs may mean your policy limit isn’t high enough to rebuild your home today.
- Landscaping & Outdoor Property: Trees, plants, or outdoor features may have only limited coverage.
- Smoke Damage: Some policies don’t fully cover smoke damage to personal property or require additional endorsements.
- Debris Removal: After a wildfire, cleanup can be expensive, and standard policies may cap debris removal benefits.
- Fair Plan Reliance: In high-risk states like California, homeowners may need to supplement standard policies with FAIR Plan coverage, which can be limited.
Steps to Strengthen Your Protection
- Review Your Policy Limits: Make sure coverage matches today’s rebuilding costs, not outdated values.
- Consider Extended Replacement or Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage: These options provide an extra cushion if rebuilding costs exceed your policy limit.
- Add Endorsements: Ask your agent about smoke damage, debris removal, or landscaping coverage enhancements.
- Explore Umbrella Policies: If you’re concerned about liability from a fire spreading to neighboring properties, umbrella coverage may be appropriate.
- Prepare Your Property: Insurance is essential, but prevention matters too — clear defensible space around your home, use fire-resistant materials, and keep emergency supplies on hand.
The Bottom Line
Wildfire season is getting longer and more severe. While standard homeowners insurance offers important protections, gaps may remain — leaving families vulnerable at the worst possible time. Reviewing your coverage regularly with an insurance professional can ensure your policy goes far enough to keep pace with today’s risks.
At Inszone Insurance, we help homeowners assess wildfire exposure, identify potential gaps, and secure coverage options that provide peace of mind.
Contact us today at (877) 308-9663 or visit www.inszoneinsurance.com
Juan Cruz
