Does Car Insurance Cover Wildfires?
Comprehensive insurance covers wildfire damage, with some exceptions
- Fire damage is usually covered under comprehensive insurance.
- You must have coverage in place before a wildfire starts.
- Insurers may issue binding restrictions when a fire is imminent.
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Does car insurance cover wildfire damage?
In most cases, yes — but there are a few important details to know. Fire damage typically falls under your comprehensive coverage, which protects your car against non-collision events like fire, theft, or vandalism. If your vehicle is damaged or destroyed in a wildfire, this is the coverage that would step in to help pay for repairs or replacement.
That said, it’s worth double-checking your policy if you live in a wildfire-prone area. Some insurers may place limits based on location. And remember — you must already have comprehensive coverage in place before disaster strikes. When a forest fire is on the horizon for your location, insurers often issue binding restrictions, meaning you can’t add or adjust coverage until the danger has passed.
Comprehensive Insurance Claims
A comprehensive claim raises auto insurance rates by $5 per month. Learn more about how to reduce those costs in the event of a claim.
What does comprehensive insurance actually cover?
Comprehensive car insurance coverage is designed to fill in the gaps in collision coverage. While comprehensive doesn't offer recourse when your car collides with another vehicle, it covers the following:
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Hail/lightning
- Damage caused by weather
- Damage caused by "Acts of God"
Your coverage for natural disasters — sometimes referred to as an Act of God Clause — provides protection against wildfire-related damages. Make sure your policy is free of stipulations that would exclude wildfire protection.
Both wildfires and mechanical/electrical fires fall under comprehensive coverage. The difference is that wildfire damage is almost always covered, while mechanical fire claims may be denied if the insurer finds poor maintenance or neglect caused the issue.
How much does comprehensive coverage cost?
The price of comprehensive coverage (which is what protects your car from fire) mostly depends on your car’s value. The higher your car’s worth, the more it costs your insurer to replace — and that means higher premiums for you.
The table below shows average costs for both comprehensive coverage and liability-only policies, so you can see the difference. Think of it this way: paying a little extra each month could be worth the peace of mind, especially if you live in an area where wildfires or garage fires are a real risk.
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Great question! If a fire wipes out your garage and everything inside, your homeowners insurance would usually cover stuff like bikes, tools, or appliances — but not your car. If the garage is attached to your house, it’s generally included under your dwelling coverage, which protects the structure itself. But when it comes to vehicles, homeowners insurance stops short. To cover your car in a fire, you’d need comprehensive coverage on your auto policy — that’s what kicks in to handle damage from things like fire, theft, or hail.
Is comprehensive insurance required?
Car insurance that covers wildfire damage can be expensive, but there are scenarios in which carrying comprehensive coverage is not only smart but a must-have.
On average, adding comprehensive and collision coverage to a liability-only policy will increase your premium significantly. Considering this expense, let's look a little deeper at when comprehensive coverage is actually necessary (or sometimes required).
If you have a loan on your vehicle: because someone else technically owns your vehicle (usually a bank or financing company), you’re required to protect their investment through comprehensive coverage.
If you’re leasing a vehicle: a lease is essentially a long-term rental, and you'll need to return the car in near-perfect condition. You should carry comprehensive coverage to satisfy your lease agreements.
If your vehicle is valuable:Â if you own your vehicle but it still has considerable worth, you should keep this coverage. As a general rule, if your vehicle is worth more than $4,000, you should have comprehensive coverage.
Because wildfires are often total loss scenarios, it's important to evaluate your coverage needs well before one occurs. Your auto insurance will be your main source of protection and reimbursement after fire-related vehicle damages.
Will my rates go up after an auto fire claim?
Yes, filing a fire damage claim will likely raise your premium — but usually not by much. On average, a comprehensive claim adds about $90 a year, compared to more than $600 for a collision claim. That’s because fire damage is generally out of your control, while collisions are often seen as the driver’s fault.
Insurance companies may also adjust rates through rate revisions, which happen every year. For example, after a major wildfire, insurers might raise premiums across the board to cover the higher number of claims.
The good news? Even with a small increase, it’s usually far cheaper to file a claim than to pay thousands out of pocket for fire damage. And if your insurer does hike your rates more than expected, it could be the perfect time to shop around for a better deal.
The chart below shows average premiums from top insurers with no claims, plus how much they increase after one and two comprehensive claims.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | 1 comp claim | 2 comp claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,484 | $1,524 | $1,566 |
| American Family | $795 | $887 | $971 |
| Farmers | $1,202 | $1,258 | $1,348 |
| GEICO | $949 | $963 | $981 |
| Nationwide | $1,070 | $1,070 | $1,077 |
| Progressive | $1,076 | $1,210 | $1,276 |
| State Farm | $1,178 | $1,178 | $1,178 |
| Travelers | $723 | $878 | $917 |
| USAA | $831 | $831 | $838 |
Source: The Zebra
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.