When the temperatures drop in Ohio, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves start looking pretty inviting. They can make your home warmer and cozier, but they also introduce an additional fire risk that homeowners shouldn’t overlook.
That raises an important insurance question:
If your fireplace or wood stove causes a fire, will your homeowners insurance cover the damage?
In many situations, homeowners insurance can provide coverage for fire damage. But if you have a wood stove, pellet stove, fireplace, or other supplemental heating source, there are a few things your insurance company may need to know.
Here’s what Ohio homeowners should keep in mind before fireplace season gets underway.
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover a Fireplace Fire?
Fire is generally a covered cause of loss under a standard homeowners insurance policy. If a fire escapes from your fireplace or wood stove and damages your home, your policy may help cover the resulting damage.
Depending on your policy and the circumstances of the loss, that could include damage to your home itself as well as covered personal belongings.
Of course, every homeowners policy has its own limits, deductibles, conditions, and exclusions. Coverage can also be affected by how a fireplace or stove was installed, maintained, and disclosed to the insurance company.
That’s why having the right information on your homeowners policy matters.
Does My Insurance Company Need to Know About My Wood Stove?
If you have a wood-burning stove—or you’re considering installing one—talk to your insurance agent.
Wood stoves can affect the fire risk of a home, so insurance companies may have specific requirements for them. Your carrier may want to know things such as:
- What type of stove you have
- Where it is located
- How it was installed
- How it is vented
- Whether the installation meets applicable codes or requirements
Some insurance companies may also have specific guidelines regarding professional installation or inspections.
Similar requirements may apply to pellet stoves and other supplemental heating systems.
And don’t assume your insurance company knows about a stove simply because it was already there when you bought the house. If you’re not sure whether your carrier has accurate information, it’s worth checking.
Can a Wood Stove Change My Homeowners Insurance?
Possibly.
Insurance companies consider many characteristics of a home when deciding whether to offer coverage and how to price a policy. A wood stove or other supplemental heating source can be one of those factors.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay more or have difficulty finding coverage. Insurance company guidelines can vary considerably.
That’s where working with an independent insurance agency like The Agent Insurance Services can help.
Because we work with multiple insurance companies, we can shop your coverage and help find an option that fits your home—including homes with fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, and other heating systems.
Don’t Overlook Your Chimney
Your insurance policy is only part of protecting your home. Preventive maintenance matters, too.
Wood-burning fires can cause creosote to accumulate inside a chimney. Over time, that buildup can increase the risk of a chimney fire.
Before you begin regularly using your fireplace for the season, consider having the chimney and related components inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional as appropriate.
While you’re at it, test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries when needed.
Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety Tips
Before you settle in by the first fire of the season, take a few precautions:
- Keep combustible materials away from fireplaces and stoves.
- Use a fireplace screen or other appropriate protective barrier.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Make sure ashes are completely cool before disposing of them safely.
- Keep chimneys, flues, fireplaces, and heating equipment properly maintained.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
- Keep an appropriate fire extinguisher accessible.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your stove or heating equipment.
If you’re adding a new fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove, make sure you understand local installation and permitting requirements—and contact your insurance agent before you begin using it.
Have a Fireplace or Wood Stove? Let’s Make Sure Your Insurance Is Ready, Too.
A fireplace should give you a warm place to relax—not another reason to worry about your insurance.
If you have a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove, or another supplemental heat source, The Agent Insurance Services can review your homeowners insurance and help make sure your carrier has accurate information about your home.
And because we’re an independent Ohio insurance agency, we can shop among multiple insurance companies to help you find the right combination of coverage and price.
Have questions about your homeowners insurance? Give The Agent Insurance Services a call. We’re here to help protect what matters to you.
About The Agent Insurance Services
The Agent Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency serving individuals, families, and businesses throughout Ohio from our Boardman and Salem offices. Because we represent multiple insurance companies, we can shop for coverage on your behalf and help you find insurance that fits your needs.
Our approach is simple: “Do for you, as I would do for myself.”
Whether you need homeowners, auto, business, life, or other insurance coverage, our team is here to help you understand your options and make insurance a little easier.