Fire insurance is a specialized form of property insurance that provides coverage against damages caused by fire and allied perils. The policyholder pays a premium to the insurance company, and in return, the insurer promises to compensate for financial losses arising from fire-related damages. Fire insurance policies not only protect against direct damage from fire but also extend coverage to related perils like lightning, explosions, riots, strikes, malicious damage, and impact damage
Types of Fire Insurance
Valued Policy
This is a fire insurance policy in which an agreement is framed and the insurer undertakes to pay in the event of destruction of property by fire.
Specific Policy
This is a fire insurance policy which insures a risk for a specific amount. In case of any loss under this policy, the insurer pays all the loss provided. It is not more than the sum specified in the policy. Thus, the value of the property is not considered for this purpose.
Average Policy
This is a fire insurance policy that is insured if the property is under-insured, ie; insured for a sum smaller than the value of the property. The insurer must bear only the proportion of the actual loss which the sum assured bears to the actual value of the property at the time of loss.
Floating policy
This type of fire insurance policy covers several types of goods lying at various locations for one amount and one premium. The premium normally charged under this policy is the average of the premia that would have been paid if each batch of the goods had been insured under the specific policy for specific sums.
Excess Policy
When the stock of the insured fluctuates, the insured can take a policy for an amount below the amount in which his stocks do not normally fall under. In this instance, the insured might have to take another insurance policy to cover the maximum amount of stocks which might reach sometimes. The former type of policy is called First Loss Policy and the latter is called Excess Policy.
Blanket Policy
A blanket policy is that which covers all assets, fixed as well as current, under one policy.
Comprehensive Policy
An insurance policy which covers risks such as fire, flood, riots, strikes, burglary etc, up to a certain specified amount is known as a comprehensive policy.
Consequential Loss Policy
The objective of this insurance policy is to indemnify the insured against the loss or profit caused by any interruption of business due to fire. It is also known as loss of profit policy.
Reinstatement Policy
It is a policy under which the insurer pays the amount which is sufficient to reinstate assets or property destroyed.
Open Declaration Policy
It is a policy where the insured makes a deposit with the insurer and declares the value of the subject. Risk of such nature is covered. Such policies are normally taken where the value of stocks etc, fluctuates significantly.
FAQs
Who Can Get a Fire Insurance Policy?
Fire insurance policies are designed to cater to a wide audience. They are available for both individuals and businesses, acknowledging that both residential and commercial properties face fire-related risks. Homeowners can protect their residential properties against fire-related damages, while businesses can safeguard their commercial spaces, industrial premises, and movable assets like machinery and equipment.
How to choose the best type of fire insurance policy?
n order to choose the best fire insurance policy, you must take some important factors into consideration, such as your risk exposure, type of coverage required, price, and so on.