Minnesota Fire Insurance
Find the right fire insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, summer is the high season for wildfires. They also caution that more homes are being constructed in wooded areas and farmland, and this means that fire departments are less able to protect them. Of course, wildfires and property fires risk not only your home, but your vehicles, belongings and valuables as well. It is important for all property owners to make sure they have good Minnesota fire insurance included in their home and vehicle coverage.
Are your home and possessions protected from a fire? Find a local independent agent in the Trusted Choice® network to find out. One of these agents can explain your fire protection options. As independent agents, they have the ability to compare multiple Minnesota fire insurance quotes from a variety of insurers. Contact your local independent Trusted Choice network agent today for personalized assistance.
- Number of home fire claims per year: 5,000
- Dollar loss in 2010 average: $290 per minute
- 49% of structure fires started in the kitchen in 2010
While wildfires are always a hazard, most home fires start because of cooking accidents or malfunctioning appliances and wiring. Taking safety precautions is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your home and other personal property. Your local fire department can be an excellent resource for information.
The good news is that any extra measures you put in place to reduce the risk of fire can also result in a reduction in your insurance costs. Work with a local independent agent to compare rates and be sure to ask about all available discounts.
Use our independent agent matching system to find the best insurance plan in your area. You tell us what you’re looking for, and our technology will recommend the best agents for you. Any information you provide will be sent to only the agents you pick. We do not sell to third parties.
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Assessing Your Minnesota Fire Insurance Needs
If you are a homeowner, your MN home insurance policy most likely includes some amount of coverage for fire damage for your building’s structure and the contents of your home. Be sure you take the time to understand the limits and exclusions of your policy. If you are a renter, you will need renter’s insurance that includes coverage for fire and smoke damage to protect your personal property.
If you reside on a farm or in a wooded area, or an area that is particularly prone to fire, you may need additional fire coverage to protect your investment in your home and belongings. Because Minnesota is cold and frozen in winter, and tends to be humid in summer, many people under-estimate their fire risk. But the “fire season,” according to the Department of Natural Resources, begins almost immediately after the snow melts and brush becomes dry.
Here are some particulars to keep in mind as you assess your fire insurance needs.
- Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home with functioning batteries; otherwise, you may not be able to receive compensation for fire damage.
- Make certain that you have a home inventory that lists all of your belongings. These records are important not only for determining the amount of fire insurance you need for your personal belongings, but they will also be important if you need to file a claim. If possible, store your records outside of your home. This will help you get your claims settled much faster.
- Whether you are a home owner, condo owner, renter, or farmer, be sure to consider how much coverage you need to insure your property and personal belongings. Most people underestimate the replacement value of what they own. Also, carefully consider whether you want coverage for the actual or replacement value of your personal items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, jewelry, and clothes. If you have to replace your home computer, for example, you probably do not want to do it at garage sale prices.
Does Minnesota Fire Insurance Cover Cars?
If your vehicle is set on fire because of an act of vandalism while it is parked in the lot at The Mall of America, it may not be covered unless you have comprehensive insurance. What if it is parked in the garage or driveway of a home that experiences a fire? There are many possible ways in which a car fire can start, including an engine fire, a dropped cigarette and even arson.
It is important to talk over your coverage options with a knowledgeable agent. If you only have MN auto liability insurance, that will not cover a car fire. If you have collision insurance, your car may only be covered if the fire is the result of an auto accident. Comprehensive insurance should cover your car if it catches fire as a result of something besides a car accident.
How Do You Get Minnesota Fire Insurance Quotes?
Working with a local agent who knows the area and local insurance codes is the best way to be sure you have enough coverage for the particular types of risks you may face. A local member agent of the Trusted Choice network, right in your area, can sit down with you and help to fully assess your risks. Your agent can also compare Minnesota fire insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies to ensure that you are getting the best value.
Contact a local member agent in the Trusted Choice network and find the right coverage today.