Does home insurance cover fire?

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Are you searching for information on home insurance and fire coverage? We are here to provide answers. Here at Quotezone, we’re not just a convenient place for you to compare quotes on home insurance, we can also advise you on what your policies may cover. In the case of fire damage home insurance claims, here is everything you should know to stay prepared.

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Does home insurance cover fire damages?

Yes, fire damage is a standard risk covered by virtually all UK home insurance policies. Both buildings and contents insurance typically include fire cover as one of the insured events, alongside flood, theft, and storm damage.

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home – walls, roof, fitted kitchens, built-in bathrooms, and any permanent fixtures damaged by fire. Contents insurance covers your personal belongings – furniture, electronics, clothing, and everything else you’d take with you if you moved.

Most policies also cover the hidden costs fire often brings: smoke and soot damage, water damage caused by the fire brigade, and alternative accommodation while your home is uninhabitable. What they typically won’t cover is fires caused deliberately, negligence, or damage to an unoccupied property that’s been empty for more than 30 days.

Do all house insurance types cover fire damage?

Not all of the home insurance policies available cover fire damage. There are certain areas where fire is an additional risk. Admittedly, in the UK, there is less chance of forest or bushfires than in other countries. Nevertheless, if you need a fire damage insurance policy, you can find one by comparing quotes on Quotezone.co.uk and specifying your desire for fire damage cover.

It is a good idea to get a policy that covers this as you never know when you might have to make a fire damage insurance claim.

Which kind of policy should I take to be sure of home insurance fire damage cover?

For comprehensive fire cover, a combined buildings and contents insurance policy is usually the best option. This covers both the physical structure of your home and everything inside it against fire damage in one policy.

If you only own the building (as a landlord) or only rent (as a tenant), you’ll need different cover:

• Homeowners – combined buildings and contents is the most common choice
• Landlords – specialist landlord insurance covers the building; tenants insure their own contents
• Tenants – contents-only insurance protects your personal belongings
• High-value properties – standard policies may cap payouts, so high net worth home insurance may be needed

Check the sum insured matches the true cost of rebuilding your home and replacing everything inside. Underinsurance is one of the most common reasons fire claims get reduced or rejected.

Do you need distinctive home insurance cover for fire damages?

Standard home insurance includes fire damage as a core risk, so you don’t usually need a separate fire insurance policy. But some situations may require additional cover:

• Thatched roof properties – higher fire risk, need specialist thatched roof insurance
• Properties near woodland or with open fires – may have specific conditions or higher premiums
• Listed buildings – need specialist cover due to higher rebuilding costs and heritage material requirements
• Non-standard construction – timber-framed, flat-roofed, or unusual building materials may need non-standard home insurance

If your property has any of these features, check with your insurer before assuming fire is covered under a standard policy. Some will offer additional cover as an add-on; others will require a specialist policy from the start.

How do you make a fire damage home insurance claim?

Making a fire damage claim starts with the immediate steps you take in the first 24-48 hours. The actions you take right after a fire have a big impact on how smoothly the claim progresses.

Immediate steps to take:

1. Call 999 and get everyone out of the property. Wait for the fire brigade to declare it safe before returning.
2. Contact your insurer on their emergency line – most UK home insurers operate 24/7 claim lines.
3. Request the fire brigade report – your insurer will need this as evidence of the cause.
4. Take photos and video of all damage before any clean-up or repair starts.
5. Keep receipts for emergency accommodation, food, and essential items – most policies reimburse these.

For the detailed stages of what happens after you’ve reported the claim – loss adjuster visits, repair quotes, and settlement – see the claims process section below.

What’s the fire damage home insurance claim process?

Once you’ve reported the fire to your insurer, the claims process typically follows these stages:

• Initial assessment – the insurer reviews your claim and may arrange an emergency inspection within 24-48 hours for serious damage.
• Loss adjuster appointment – for claims over a few thousand pounds, an independent loss adjuster visits the property to assess damage and investigate the cause.
• Emergency payments – funds for alternative accommodation, food, and essential replacements are usually released within a few days.
• Fire investigation review – the insurer reviews the fire brigade report to confirm the cause and rule out deliberate damage or negligence.
• Repair quotes and approval – the insurer approves contractors or you can appoint your own, with quotes checked against the policy sum insured.
• Contents settlement – damaged items are replaced or cash-settled based on your policy terms (new-for-old or indemnity cover).
• Final payment – once repairs are complete and you’ve moved back in, the insurer releases the final settlement.

Throughout the process, keep detailed records of every conversation, email, and invoice. If your claim is complex or you disagree with the insurer’s assessment, you have the right to escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service after the insurer’s final response.

Will my home insurance rates go up if I claim?

Yes, your home insurance rates often go up after you have made a large fire damage claim. This is to help the company recuperate losses and in response to your home being of greater perceived risk.

Where can I compare quotes on home insurance after fire damage?

If you would like to compare quotes on home insurance policies after fire damages in your home, you should visit Quotezone.co.uk. We retrieve home insurance quotes from hundreds of UK-based providers and we may find you a better deal.

What counts as fire damage on a home insurance claim?

Fire damage covers more than just the flames. When you make a claim, most UK home insurance policies will cover:

• Structural damage – walls, roof, ceilings, floors, and anything permanently attached to the building
• Smoke and soot damage – the residue left on walls, carpets, and furniture. Smoke damage can be just as costly as fire damage itself
• Water damage from firefighting – the water the fire brigade uses to put out the fire is covered, even though it wasn’t the fire that caused the damage
• Contents – furniture, electronics, clothing, and personal belongings destroyed or damaged by fire, smoke or water
• Alternative accommodation – if your home is uninhabitable, most policies pay for somewhere to stay while repairs happen

The average fire damage claim in the UK runs into tens of thousands of pounds, which is why home insurance matters even if a fire feels unlikely.

What’s NOT covered when your home catches fire?

Not every fire is covered. Common exclusions include:

• Deliberate damage – fires started on purpose by you or a household member are never covered
• Negligence – leaving a candle burning overnight or unattended cooking that caused the fire may invalidate your claim
• Unoccupied property – if your home has been empty for more than 30 days (or whatever limit your policy specifies), fire damage may not be covered
• Gradual damage – scorching from a fireplace over many years is considered wear and tear
• Fires caused by unauthorised work – electrical or gas work done by an unqualified person that caused a fire may not be covered

Always read the policy wording carefully, especially around smoke alarms. Some insurers require working smoke alarms on every floor, and a claim could be rejected if they find alarms weren’t installed or had flat batteries.

How long does a fire damage claim take to settle?

Most UK fire damage claims take between 4 and 12 weeks to settle, though complex cases can run much longer. The timeline depends on:

• Scale of the damage – a small kitchen fire may settle in weeks; a total loss can take months or over a year
• Fire brigade investigation – the cause of the fire must be determined before an insurer will pay
• Loss adjuster involvement – for claims over a few thousand pounds, insurers typically send a loss adjuster to assess the damage
• How quickly you provide documentation – photos, receipts, and inventories speed things up

Most insurers pay out emergency funds within a few days for alternative accommodation and essentials. The main settlement covers repairs, replacement of contents, and any ongoing costs while the property is uninhabitable.

You might also need

Alongside fire damage protection, you may want to consider:

• Buildings insurance – covers the physical structure of your home against fire, flood, and storm damage.
• Contents insurance – protects your personal belongings inside the home against fire and other risks.

Quotezone can help you find home insurance with the right fire cover. Compare home insurance quotes from over 40 UK providers.

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This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.