One of the most destructive and common hazards to homes, businesses, and vehicles is fire damage. Since you’d hate to see any of your property go up in flames, it’s crucial to equip it with the right protection. Whether you need to protect your car, business, or home, it’s important to make sure you’ve got adequate fire insurance coverage.

Fortunately South Carolina independent insurance agents can help you determine if your underlying insurance policy has enough fire protection, or if you should add more. They’ll also be able to get you set up with fire insurance if you’re in need of coverage. But first, here’s a deep dive into fire insurance in South Carolina.

What Is Fire Insurance?

Fire insurance in South Carolina can be purchased as a stand-alone policy. However, fire coverage is included in South Carolina homeowners insurance, business insurance, and car insurance already. Since fire was one of the original perils insurance companies designed coverage to protect against, you’ll find it’s listed in most policies today. A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you review your existing policy to make sure you have coverage.

Why You May Consider South Carolina Fire Insurance

When considering the importance of fire insurance, it’s helpful to know just how prevalent these disasters are, not only in South Carolina, but also in the US overall. Check out a couple of chilling fire stats and see for yourself.

Total number of reported fires in the United States in 2019, by type

In 2019, a total of 481,500 fires were reported in structures. This could include homes, businesses, and more. That same year, 189,500 fires were reported in highway vehicles, and another 33,500 fires were reported in other vehicles.

Total incurred losses due to fire in the US from 1990 to 2018

(in million US dollars)

Monetary losses due to fires has increased greatly over the past couple of decades. In 1990, a reported $9.49 million was lost due to fire. By 2018, this number had jumped four and a half times, to $43.58 million.

Not only is fire damage common in the US, but it’s also been on the rise for about the last 30 years. With such a frequent occurrence in so many different areas, it’s crucial to make sure that your home, business, vehicle, and more are equipped with adequate fire insurance protection.

What Does Fire Insurance Cover?

A separate fire insurance policy covers damage caused by fire and lightning, including fires resulting from lightning strikes. However, the fire insurance coverage included in your homeowners, business insurance, and/or car insurance tends to operate in a specific way.

Fire coverage included in South Carolina homeowners insurance works like this:

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can further explain how the fire insurance coverage portion of your homeowners, business, or car insurance policy operates. They’ll be able to help you decide if your coverage is adequate, or if you need to add more protection.

Do I Need Fire Insurance in South Carolina?

You probably don’t need to purchase it as a separately policy, since fire damage is included in many standard coverages in South Carolina, like homeowners insurance and business insurance. Fire is one of the first perils listed under these policies. If you want to add additional fire coverage to your policy, you can work with your South Carolina independent insurance agent to do so. Fire coverage may be required by your mortgage lender if you don’t already have it.

Does Car Insurance Cover Fire Damage in South Carolina?

According to insurance expert Paul Martin, if you purchase a type of coverage known as South Carolina comprehensive car insurance, the answer is yes. Also known as “other than collision” coverage, comprehensive car insurance protects your vehicle from a number of threats, including fire damage, flood damage, theft, and more. If you want your vehicle to be protected against fire, work with your South Carolina independent insurance agent to add this coverage.

What Kinds of Fires Does Fire Insurance Cover?

Martin says that home and business insurance policies cover fires of a “hostile” nature, or in other words, fires that arise in areas where they’re not supposed to be. A few examples of fires covered by fire insurance include:

• Grease fires
• Electrical fires
• Wildfires
• Forest fires

It’s important to note that if you live in an area especially prone to wildfires, your homeowners insurance company may require you to purchase a separate wildfire insurance policy. This is more applicable to residents in California than South Carolina, however.

What Doesn't Fire Insurance Cover in South Carolina?

Martin adds that “friendly fires,” or fires that are maintained where they’re supposed to be, are not covered by fire insurance. Fires in your fireplace or in your outdoor grill are not covered, since they’re not hostile in nature. Otherwise, fire insurance does not provide coverage for any other type of disaster beyond fire and lightning damage, including:

• Flood damage
• Hail or wind damage
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Mysterious disappearance
• Owner negligence
• Spoilage

Your South Carolina independent insurance agent can further explain what’s not covered by fire insurance, and make sure you get equipped with any protection you feel you may be missing.

Here’s How a South Carolina Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

When it comes to protecting home and business owners against major threats like fires, no one’s better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. South Carolina independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in fire insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.