Kansas 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.
You don't have to live nestled among the more than 4 million acres of forested land in Kansas to be at risk of residential fires. In fact, most house fires that occur in Kansas happen in urban areas far removed from the danger of wildfires. Is your Kansas home protected with an insurance policy that has enough coverage to rebuild after a significant blaze?
Before you search for fire insurance quotes, there are several factors to consider.
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Fire Statistics for Kansas
According to the Kansas Fire Information Reporting System (2011):
- 7,853 fires were reported in Kansas.
- 1,656 residential fires were reported, with 53 injuries.
- The property damage due to residential fires was $16.7 million
Kansas Youth Fire Setter Statistics (2002-2006) indicate that 1,285 child-set fires were reported by KS fire departments, resulting in:
- 5 civilian deaths
- 51 civilian injuries
- 10 firefighter injuries
- More than $7.5 million dollars in property losses
What Are My Risks of Fire?
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reports that, on average, Americans experience a fire in their homes about once every five years and Kansas residents are no different. There are several things that can trigger a fire in your home, including cooking or heating fires, malfunction of electrical and heating systems, negligent use of candles, cigarettes and matches, and arson. A homeowners insurance policy that includes fire hazard protection can help you recover your home and belongings after a fire.
Long gone are the days where one had to purchase a plaque from the local fire department to indicate the structure was covered by insurance. There is no need to search for a specific fire insurance company; your current homeowners or renters insurance policy provides fire insurance coverage. However, there are many different providers and policies, and therefore a variety of coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions defining what is and is not covered. You'll want to make sure you have enough coverage in the event of a severe fire.
Do I Have Enough Fire Insurance Coverage?
Most Kansas homeowners insurance policies cover structural damage and loss of personal property, or contents, up to 50 percent of the covered value of the home. For instance, if your home policy provides $200,000 in coverage, the personal property portion provides up to $100,000 in coverage for personal belongings.
If your Kansas home contains many high-value items, you may want to consider adding addtional contents coverage or insurance riders to fully protect your valuable jewelry, artwork, or equipment.
How Will My Insurance Compensate Me Following a Fire?
The compensation your insurance company will give you following a fire depends on the type of policy you own and your deductibles. A higher deductible will mean less compensation.
Your compensation will also depend on the type of contents coverage you buy. Most Kansas insurance providers offer two kinds:
- Actual cash value compensation takes depreciation into account. If your 10-year-old stove is ruined in a fire, this type of compensation will pay you the cost required to replace a 10-year-old stove.
- Replacement cost ignores depreciation. This type of compensation would replace your old stove with a brand new one with comparable features.
Does Fire Insurance Protect Me from All Types of Fires?
Typcially, insurance companies will reject a claim for any fire that is found to be intentionally set by the homeowner or someone in the household. Also, if the fire damage was preventable, the company may not pay your claim.
Kansas insurance companies may also deny the claim if:
- The property owner refused to call the fire department.
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers were not present in the home.
- The fire was caused due to gross negligence by the homeowner.
Always call the fire department at the first sign of fire and be sure your home is equipped with functioning smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
How Can I Prepare for Filing a Fire Insurance Claim?
Along with making sure your smoke alarms are working and your fire extinguishers are functional, it's a good idea to conduct an inventory of all your personal possessions.
Make a list of all the valuables you keep inside your home. Assign a dollar value to your clothes, furniture, appliances, books, electronics, jewelry, and artwork. The total value of your home's contents should give you an idea of how much insurance you should carry to fully protect yourself in the event your home is destroyed by fire.
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Does Insurance with Fire Protection Cost More?
Most people are surprised to find that obtaining a homeowners insurance pollicy with added fire protection does not cost that much more than a bare-bones, basic policy. The quotes you will receive from Kansas insurance providers will depend on several factors including:
- The value of your home
- The location of your home and its risks of fire
- The amount of contents coverage you need
- The deductible you choose
- The type of policy you buy
Quotes for high deductible insurance policies will be lower than those with smaller deductibles. However, it is wise to choose a deductible you could comfortably afford should your home be destroyed by fire. You must meet your deductible for any damages or repairs before your fire insurance will kick in.
A quote for a policy with actual cash value compensation will be lower than a quote for replacement cost compensation. If your home contains many older appliances, however, the costs to replace all of them following a severe fire may be more than you can afford.
Where Can I Find Insurance with Fire Coverage?
If and when you face a fire in your home, the last thing you want to worry about is being able to afford the costs of replacement or rebuilding. Don't let your dreams of homeownership go up in smoke. Knowledgeable independent insurance agents on the Trusted Choice® network are always here to help answer any questions you may have, suggest coverage options that protect you from fire damage, and even assist you in filing a claim.
They have years of experience working with Kansas insurance providers, enabling them to find you a number of quotes from a variety of companies. You will only receive those quotes with the best coverage at the most affordable rates. Contact a Trusted Choice agent near you to find out how you can fully protect your home with an insurance policy that offers fire protection.