As you drive down the highway with the radio blaring and the wind in your hair, all of a sudden, smoke starts coming from under the hood. Panic sets in as you realize your car is on fire. Scary, right? Unfortunately, car fires aren’t as rare as we might think. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association says that every year there are more than 170,000 car fires in the US. So, what happens if your car becomes one of those statistics?.
So, what if your car catches fire? Will your insurance cover it? It’s a good question to ask, especially since it could cost you money and put you in danger. No matter how experienced or new you are as a driver, you need to know what your insurance covers in case of a car fire.
In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of car fires and insurance coverage. We’ll go over everything you need to know to keep yourself and your car safe, from the most common reasons why car fires happen to the different kinds of insurance coverage you can get.
Car fires pose significant risks, including injury and property damage. In the event of a fire, people inside the vehicle may get burned, smoke-inhaled, or hurt in other ways while trying to get out. Moreover, car fires can spread rapidly, endangering nearby vehicles, structures, and individuals. The resulting property damage can be extensive, including damage to the vehicle itself, nearby vehicles, and surrounding property.
Being prepared for car fires is essential for ensuring the safety of yourself and others. Part of being ready is knowing how to spot the signs of a possible fire, like smoke, strange smells, or dashboard warning lights. Also, you need to know how to quickly and effectively put out a fire, which includes knowing how to safely pull over, get everyone out of the car, and call 911. Having a well-stocked emergency kit in your car can also help you handle different kinds of emergencies, like fires, with confidence and ease.
Having your car catch on fire can be a traumatic and stressful experience. As you deal with the shock of seeing your vehicle engulfed in flames, your mind probably jumps to some important questions: Will my car insurance cover the fire damage? What will this mean for me financially? How will I get around without a vehicle?
I recently experienced this firsthand when my trusty old sedan suddenly caught fire in my driveway. In this article, I’ll walk through what happened, what coverage options paid for the damage, and tips for avoiding vehicle fires in the future.
My Story: Coming Home to a Car Fire
After running some errands one Saturday afternoon, I pulled into my driveway and noticed wisps of smoke coming from under the hood of my car. Within seconds, flames burst out as the fire quickly spread through the engine compartment
I called 911 and watched helplessly as firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. Thankfully, no one was injured, but my car was totally destroyed. The fire department determined the cause was likely an electrical issue that ignited oil or other combustible fluids in the engine.
Does Car Insurance Cover Fire Damage?
As I dealt with the aftermath, my first call was to my car insurance company to find out if they would pay for the fire damage.
The good news is that most standard car insurance policies DO cover fire damage as long as you carry the right types of coverage
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Comprehensive Coverage: This optional coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, including fire, theft, vandalism, weather, and animal collisions. If the fire isn’t caused by a crash, comprehensive is the coverage that will pay for the damage.
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Collision Coverage: If the fire was caused by a collision with another car or object, your collision coverage would pay for the damage instead of comprehensive.
So in most fire scenarios, as long as you carry comprehensive coverage, your insurer will pay for the repairs or total loss. Without it, you’d have to pay for the damage out of pocket.
How My Car Insurance Handled the Claim
Because the fire started spontaneously in the engine, my claim was filed under my comprehensive coverage, not collision. Here’s how the process played out:
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Filing the Claim: I called my insurance company (Progressive) right away to start the claim. They dispatched an adjuster to inspect the vehicle and confirm it was a total loss.
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Settlement Offer: After reviewing the adjuster’s report and fire department findings, Progressive sent me a settlement letter offering the actual cash value (ACV) of my car before the fire. This became the claim payment.
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Deductible: My $500 comprehensive deductible was subtracted from the settlement check. This is the portion I pay out-of-pocket before insurance picks up the rest.
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Payment Issued: Within two weeks of the incident, I received the settlement check for $1,200 and used it towards a replacement vehicle.
So in the end, my comprehensive insurance covered the bulk of the damage, minus my deductible. Without it, I would have been stuck with the full cost of replacing my burned vehicle.
What If the Fire is Another Driver’s Fault?
If another driver caused the accident that led to the fire, then their liability coverage should pay for the damage. You’d file a third-party claim through their insurance company instead of using your own collision coverage.
However, you still have the option to file under your own policy and let your insurer go after the at-fault driver for reimbursement. This is easier but will require you to pay the collision deductible up front.
Tips to Prevent Car Fires
While sometimes unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of a vehicle fire:
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Address warning signs: Pay attention to any electrical issues, fluid leaks, burning smells, or smoke coming from your car and get them checked immediately. These can indicate conditions that may lead to a fire if left unattended.
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Maintain your vehicle: Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for oil changes, fluid flushes, belt/hose replacements, etc. This can prevent fluid leaks and electrical issues that are common fire culprits.
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Inspect wires, battery, belts: Look under the hood regularly for any damaged or loose wires, corrosion on the battery, cracked belts, etc. Damaged wires/parts that make contact can spark a fire.
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Don’t ignore recalls: Car manufacturers issue recalls to address safety defects – including some that create fire risks. So always stay on top of recall notices for your vehicle.
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Keep it clean: Don’t let leaves, debris, and dirt buildup under the hood, as this creates potential fuel for a fire.
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Modify exhaust carefully: Be cautious with any exhaust/emission modifications, as some (like headers) can cause fire risk. Stick to reputable products installed properly.
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Park carefully: Avoid parking over dry grass or brush that could ignite if your car experiences electrical or exhaust issues.
The Takeaway
Seeing your vehicle go up in flames can be alarming and disorienting. But with the right insurance coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re protected financially. Comprehensive and collision insurance policies cover most fire damage, less your deductible. And you may have options even if the fire is another driver’s fault.
While we can’t prevent all car fires, staying vigilant on maintenance and recalls can reduce the risks. If you do find yourself dealing with a vehicle fire, act quickly to report it, document damage, and file an insurance claim so you can get back on the road.
Contacting emergency services and insurance providers:
- Call emergency services: Report the fire and ask for help right away by calling 911 or the emergency services number in your area.
- Tell your insurance company about it: Call your insurance company right away to let them know what happened. Tell them about the fire, including where it happened, what caused it (if you know), and if anyone was hurt.
If Your Car Catches On Fire Will Your Insurance Cover It?
Does your car insurance cover fire damage? There are a few things that can affect whether or not your insurance will cover fire damage to your car. What caused the fire, the details of your insurance policy, whether your policy has expired, and any limitations or exclusions in your policy are some of these things. When a fire starts because of a covered peril, like an electrical system that doesn’t work right, it’s more likely to be covered. However, if the fire resulted from negligence or intentional actions, coverage may be denied.
Insurance coverage for car fires can vary depending on the circumstances. In general, comprehensive coverage typically covers damages resulting from a car fire, regardless of the cause. However, there may be exceptions or exclusions based on your policy’s terms and conditions. For example, if your policy doesn’t cover arson or acts done on purpose, you might not be covered if someone sets your car on fire on purpose. It’s essential to review your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered.
Reviewing your insurance policy is crucial for understanding your coverage in the event of a car fire. To fully understand your policy, read it carefully and become familiar with its terms, conditions, and what it doesn’t cover. Pay close attention to any specifics that deal with car fires, like the amount of coverage, the deductible, and any extra endorsements or riders you may have. If you need more information about your coverage or have questions, don’t be afraid to call your insurance company. Being aware of what your insurance covers can help you make smart choices and make sure you’re covered in case of a car fire.
My car caught FIRE – What happened and why | Car Insurance advice you SHOULD know
FAQ
Which type of insurance covers a vehicle that catches on fire?
What happens if a car catches on fire?
Does car insurance cover an engine fire?
Does fire insurance cover negligence?
Does insurance cover car fires?
This includes incidents such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and yes, car fires. Comprehensive coverage is particularly relevant to car fires because it typically covers damages resulting from a fire, whether it’s due to electrical faults, fuel leaks, or other causes. 3. Collision Coverage:
Does insurance cover a scorched car after a fire?
If your car is scorched after a fire, your insurance policy will cover it. However, which coverage protects you depends on the situation and how the damage occurred: Comprehensive covers fire damage due to non-accident disasters or “acts of God.” These include events like arson and wildfires.
How much does insurance pay if a car is set on fire?
Your insurance company will pay $2,500 of the costs of repairs if a fire causes $3,000 in damage to your car, and you have a $500 deductible on your comp coverage. You don’t often hear about cars being set on fire on purpose, but it does happen. This is a criminal act. At the very least, it’s considered vandalism .
Do you need comprehensive coverage for a car fire?
Comprehensive coverage is something you might not think you need to pick up when choosing a car insurance plan. After all, it can bump up your monthly premium. In reality, comprehensive coverage costs are well worth the extra dough, especially when it comes to a car fire.