The 12 Perils of Standard Fire Insurance Policy
A fire insurance policy is a contract between the policyholder and the insurance company to indemnify the insured for the financial losses suffered due to the destruction or damage of the property/goods caused by the fire. All the movable and immovable properties like buildings, plants & machinery, equipment & accessories, stocks, and other contents are covered by a standard fire insurance policy. Following are the 12 perils of the standard fire insurance policy:
1) Perils of Fire:
Damage caused to the insured property/goods due to fire, a fire insurance policy covers it. However, this policy will not cover the property/goods against:
- Damage or destruction caused due to its own fermentation,
- Any damage or destruction caused due to natural heating
- Damage or destruction caused due to spontaneous combustion.
- Damage or destruction caused due to any heating or drying process.
- Burning of the insured property due to orders issued by the Public Authority.
2) Standard Fire Insurance against Lightning Insurance:
Fire or any other damage caused to the property due to a peril like lightning is covered by the fire insurance policy. Striking of lightning can cause cracks in the building; such damage is also covered by this insurance policy.
3) Explosion/Implosion:
This policy protects against the loss caused due to explosion and implosion. A vessel can explode when its inside pressure reaches or is more than the atmospheric pressure outside. Whereas, an implosion occurs when the external pressure is more than the internal pressure. Both these phenomena can result in a fire. However, the fire insurance policy does not cover the loss, destruction, or damage caused to:
- Boilers
- Economizers or other vessels
- Machinery, apparatus, or their contents generating steam
The policy also does not cover the damage or destruction caused by centrifugal forces.
4) Aircraft Damage:
It covers the loss or damage caused by Aircraft, and other aerial or space devices.
5) Riot, Strike, Malicious Damage insurance:
The fire insurance policy covers the loss, visible physical damage, or destruction to the property caused by external violent means. Riot, strike, and malicious damage are caused with an intention of causing disturbance to the public peace.
Read More: Type of useful covers you can add to your Fire Insurance Policy
6) Standard Fire insurance for Storm, Cyclone, Typhoon, and Flood:
The violent destruction caused to the property or goods due to the above-mentioned perils is covered by the fire insurance policy. However, the policy does not cover earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or other perils of nature under the standard peril list. The insured must ask the insurance company for additional cover to get protection against the same.
7) Impact Damage:
The fire insurance policy covers the damage or destruction caused to the insured property due to direct impact/contact by any rail/road vehicles or animals. However, it is important that such vehicles or animals are not owned by the insured, any occupier of the premises, or the employees in the course of their employment.
8) Subsidence and Landslide including Rockslide:
Subsidence means the sinking of the area on which the property is located, and landslide means the collapse of the mass of the earth from a mountain or a cliff.
Fire insurance covers the loss, destruction, or damage directly caused by the subsidence of part of the site on which the property stands or landslide and rock slide. However, it does not cover damage or destruction caused to the property due to:
- Demolition, repair, or structural alterations of the property or groundwork or excavations
- Coastal or river erosion
- Normal cracking or settlement of new structures
- Settlement or movement of made-up ground
- Defective design or defective workmanship or use of defective materials
9) Standard Bursting and/or overflowing of water tanks, Apparatus, and Pipes:
This policy also covers the loss or damage caused to the property by water due to the above-mentioned perils like bursting and/or overflowing of water tanks, apparatus, and pipes.
Read More: What is Contribution in Fire Insurance?
10) Missile Testing Operations insurance:
This policy also covers the damage or loss to the property due to any kind of missile testing operation.
11) Leakage from Automatic Sprinkler Installations:
Damage caused due to accidental discharge of water from a leaked automatic sprinkler installation, this policy covers that as well. However, it does not cover the loss or damage caused due to:
- Repairs or alterations to the buildings
- Repairs, removal, or extension of the sprinkler installation
- Defects in construction, already known to the Insured
12) Bush Fire insurance:
The policy covers the damage caused due to the burning of bushes and jungles by fire. However, it does not cover any loss, destruction, or damage caused by the forest fire.
Case Study: 12 perils of standard fire insurance
A cloth manufacturer in Jaipur was in the business of exporting handcrafted finished goods to different parts of India. Once, a fire broke out in his factory, it burnt the majority of the exported cloth.
Fire brigade trucks rushed to the site immediately and took care of the fire. No one was injured. However, the fire caused huge damage to the property as well as the goods.
Since the owner of the cloth company had taken a fire insurance policy, he contacted his insurers immediately. The surveyor investigated the situation and reported that the cause of the fire was one of the 12 standard perils mentioned in the policy.
As the fire occurred due to the insured peril, the insurer covered all the losses of the cloth manufacturing company.
FAQ
1. What is fire insurance?
Fire insurance is a type of property insurance that provides financial protection to homeowners or businesses in the event of damage or loss caused by fire. It helps cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the property, as well as replacing damaged belongings.
2. Why is a fire insurance policy important?
Fire insurance policy is important because fires can cause significant damage to property, leading to financial losses that may be difficult to recover from without insurance coverage. Having fire insurance helps provide peace of mind and financial security in case of a fire-related disaster.
3. How do I determine which type of fire insurance is best for me?
The best type of fire insurance for you will depend on your individual circumstances and needs. Consider factors such as the location of your property, the potential risks it faces, and your budget. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, comprehensive fire insurance may be the best option. If you are looking for more affordable coverage, basic fire insurance may be sufficient. It’s always a good idea to consult with an insurance agent to discuss your options and find the most suitable coverage for your situation.
4. How does fire insurance benefit policyholders?
Fire insurance provides peace of mind to property owners, knowing that they are financially protected against fire-related risks.
– In the event of a fire, policyholders can receive compensation for the damage or loss of their property, helping them recover and rebuild without facing significant financial burdens.
– Fire insurance also helps businesses maintain continuity of operations by providing funds to repair or replace damaged property, equipment, and inventory.
5. What are some common features of fire insurance policies?
– Fire insurance policies typically cover damages caused by fire, smoke, lightning, explosions, and sometimes even water damage from firefighting efforts.
– These policies may also provide coverage for additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a fire.
About The Author
Shivani
MBA Insurance and Risk
She has a passion for property insurance and a wealth of experience in the field, Shivani has been a valuable contributor to SecureNow for the past six years. As a seasoned writer, they specialize in crafting insightful articles and engaging blogs that educate and inform readers about the intricacies of property insurance. She brings a unique blend of expertise and practical knowledge to their writing, drawing from her extensive background in the insurance industry. Having worked in various capacities within the sector, she deeply understands the challenges and opportunities facing property owners and insurers alike.
