Does auto insurance cover arson?
Comprehensive auto insurance often usually covers any fire damage. Review your policy to check your coverage. The average cost of comprehensive coverage in the US is $11.57/mo.
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Joel Ohman
Certified Financial Planner
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joe...
Certified Financial Planner
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Arson might be covered under comprehensive insurance
- Other fire-related incidents could be covered under liability and uninsured motorist coverage
- Drivers need to review their insurance policies to determine if they have the necessary coverage
- Customers should be familiar with any exclusions in their policy
There are countless chaotic events that could affect an automobile. Incredible natural disasters or even something falling out of the sky could cause major damage. Amazingly, these incidents may end up being paid for by the right insurance coverage.
Arson is one such scenario that may severely damage a vehicle. Few would ever dream their vehicle would deliberately be set on fire but, believe it or not, car arson does occur. The sight of cars ablaze during a riot is, sadly, something that does occur. (Learn more about riot coverage here: does car insurance cover riots?)
Regardless of the reasons or circumstances surrounding the arson, a fire is going to do major harm to a car. The vehicle might even be completely totaled.
The obvious question that will weigh on anyone’s mind in the aftermath of arson is usually, “Will my car insurance pay for the damage?”
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A Coverage Option for Arson
Comprehensive insurance should cover damage related to arson. Additionally, comprehensive insurance would likely cover other types of fire-related disasters.
For example, if an accidental house fire spread from a neighbor’s house to a garage, a claim for the damage could be filed under the comprehensive policy.
Comprehensive insurance is designed to protect vehicles against a wide range of damage-inducing problems outside of accidents. This type of coverage should never be overlooked when performing comparison shopping for auto insurance.
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Beware of Exclusions
Policyholders need to familiarize themselves with exclusions in their policies. An exclusion is, essentially, a clause in the insurance contract that states something is not covered.
An example of a standard exclusion in an auto insurance policy is poor maintenance.
Negligence with maintenance is probably spelled out in the exclusions in a policy. But not all exclusions are so clear.
Reading through a policy could reveal exclusions that are tied to possible arson. Some exclusions may include:
- Terrorism
- Riot-related incidents
That means no arson inflicted in a vehicle would be covered if terrorism or a riot were the cause of the damage.
Different Fire Scenarios
Aside from arson, vehicles can catch fire due to a collision as well. Cars are at risk of fires and explosions due to the presence of gasoline. If a car is hit by an another driver, the vehicle could go dangerously ablaze.
The same could occur when a driver crashes his or her own car into an object.
Scenarios of this nature could be covered under various other coverage categories outside of comprehensive. So you will want to be sure that your vehicle possesses the necessary insurance.
Boosting Insurance Coverage
Not all coverage is required under the law. Collision and comprehensive are optional, and drivers really should think about exercising those options when looking over quotes.
Auto liability is required by law in 48 states, but the thresholds could be low. Drivers worried about causing fires and other damage in an accident should think about raising those thresholds. Uninsured motorist insurance could be worth purchasing as well.
For example, if the person who causes a car accident has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage could prove extremely helpful.
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Research Options
Situations related to arson or other causes of a vehicle catching on fire can vary. With the right insurance coverage in place, a settlement may be reached to cover losses associated with this type of peril.
Customers need to review exclusions and other terms, however, in order to be sure they are on the path to selecting the right service with the best chance of covering losses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my car insurance pay for the damage caused by arson?
Comprehensive insurance should cover damage related to arson, as well as other fire-related disasters. It is designed to protect vehicles against a wide range of damage-inducing problems outside of accidents.
What other types of fire-related incidents might be covered by comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance may also cover damage caused by accidental house fires, garage fires, or other non-intentional fire incidents.
Are there any exclusions in my policy that I should be aware of?
Yes, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the exclusions in your policy. Some policies may exclude coverage for arson incidents related to terrorism or riots.
Can vehicles catch fire due to reasons other than arson?
Yes, vehicles can catch fire due to collisions or accidents. The presence of gasoline in cars poses a risk of fires and explosions. These scenarios may be covered under other coverage categories, such as collision or liability insurance.
Will my comprehensive insurance cover arson if it occurs while my car is parked in my garage?
Yes, if your comprehensive insurance policy covers fire damage, it should typically cover arson incidents, including those that happen in your garage.
Should I provide evidence or proof of arson when filing an insurance claim?
Yes, providing evidence of arson, such as a police report or fire department investigation report, can support your claim and help with the claims process.
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Joel Ohman
Certified Financial Planner
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Joe...
Certified Financial Planner
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.