Wildfires are a growing threat across many parts of the United States, particularly in states such as California, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon. In 2023 alone, wildfires burned over 2.5 million acres of land, displacing thousands of families, including renters, who were often left scrambling to figure out how to recover.

In the wake of such destruction, one question frequently arises:

The answer is yes, but there are layers of complexity that depend on your policy, location, and how prepared you are to deal with your insurer.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of renters insurance and its connection to wildfire coverage. We’ll explore what’s protected, what isn’t, how to file a claim, common questions renters ask, and what you can do now to protect your future.

Renters insurance is a specialized form of insurance that offers financial protection to individuals who lease or rent their living space, whether it’s an apartment, house, condo, or duplex. Unlike homeowners insurance, which covers both the structure and the contents inside it, renters insurance is designed specifically to protect your personal belongings and provide financial liability coverage, not the building itself.

Your landlord’s insurance policy only covers the physical building (the walls, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, etc.). Still, it does not extend to your possessions or the risks associated with being a tenant. That’s where renters insurance steps in.

It typically includes three core components:

🛋️ 1. Personal Property Coverage

This is the foundation of any renters insurance policy. It protects your personal belongings in the event of damage, destruction, or theft due to specific covered events (also known as “named perils”). These typically include:

If a wildfire spreads into your neighborhood and your apartment catches fire, destroying your furniture, clothing, and electronics, your renter’s insurance will help reimburse you for those losses up to the policy’s limit. This includes items such as your laptop, television, appliances, bedding, cookware, and even decor.

You can usually choose between two types of personal property coverage:

This part of the policy protects you if you are found legally responsible for someone else’s injuries or property damage, either within your rental unit or as a result of your actions elsewhere.

Examples:

Liability limits typically start at $100,000 but can be increased to $300,000 or more for a modest increase in your premium.

🏨 3. Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

Also called “loss of use” coverage, ALE reimburses you for necessary expenses if your rental becomes temporarily uninhabitable due to a covered peril, such as a wildfire.

This is especially critical in wildfire-prone regions, where entire neighborhoods may be subject to mandatory evacuation or wholly destroyed. If you’re forced out of your rental due to smoke damage or fire, ALE coverage can help pay for:

After a wildfire damages your apartment, you’re unable to return for several weeks. Your renter’s insurance may cover your hotel bill, meals, and even gas for commuting while you’re displaced.

Wildfires are no longer rare. Thanks to prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and climate change, wildfires have become an annual threat across vast areas of the U.S.

Key Facts:

The growing danger makes it critical to understand how your renter’s insurance interacts with wildfire events.

In most cases, renters insurance does cover damage from wildfires. Fire is considered a “named peril” in virtually all standard policies, which means it’s specifically listed as a covered event.

However, it’s essential to note that not every renter’s insurance policy is the same.

Let’s break down exactly what is typically covered when you ask, “Does renter insurance cover wildfire?”:

🔹 1. Personal Property Loss

Covered items often include:

Some policies offer replacement cost coverage (replacing items at today’s prices), while others provide actual cash value (ACV), which factors in depreciation.

🛠 Example: If your 5-year-old TV is destroyed in a fire, ACV might reimburse you $200. Replacement costs might provide you with $600 to purchase a new one.

🔹 2. Smoke and Heat Damage

Even if your property wasn’t directly burned, smoke and heat damage can ruin furniture, electronics, and clothing. Renters insurance typically covers this type of damage.

🔹 3. Additional Living Expenses

If you’re displaced due to wildfire:

These are all reimbursable under the loss of use provision.

🔹 4. Liability Protection

If a wildfire starts in your unit due to negligence (e.g., a space heater left on), your liability coverage can help pay for injuries or damage to others’ property.

While renters insurance is valuable, it has its limitations.

❌ 1. Damage to the Structure

Your landlord’s insurance covers the walls, roof, and building exterior, not your policy.

❌ 2. Vehicles

Damage to your car caused by wildfire needs to be covered under comprehensive auto insurance.

❌ 3. Valuable Items Exceeding Policy Limits

Many policies limit compensation for high-value items like:

You’ll need a rider or endorsement to get full coverage for these.

❌ 4. Flooding or Landslides Post-Wildfire

Wildfires often lead to floods or mudslides. These are not covered by renters insurance. You’d need separate flood insurance.

When a wildfire strikes, your actions afterward can significantly impact your claim.

Step-by-Step Guide:

✅ Step 1: Create a Home Inventory

Before a disaster strikes, document all your belongings. Use inventory apps, Excel, or even a handwritten list. Include:

Most companies have emergency lines for disaster situations. Request your adjuster be assigned quickly.

✅ Step 3: Photograph the Damage

Once it’s safe to return, document all damage in detail. Use:

Keep receipts for all expenses, including hotels, meals, toiletries, gasoline, and laundry.

✅ Step 5: Work with the Adjuster

Be transparent. Provide documentation. Keep notes of all interactions and ask for email confirmation.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unhappy with the settlement, you can hire a public adjuster or contact legal professionals like us at Eaton Fire to help negotiate on your behalf.

Maria’s apartment was 80% destroyed during a 2021 wildfire. Thanks to her comprehensive renter’s policy:

Luke hadn’t updated his policy in 3 years. When a fire damaged his home, he received only $6,500, far less than the actual losses of $15,000. He also didn’t have coverage for his $2,000 mountain bike.

Lesson: Always review and update your coverage annually.

In most states, yes. But if you’re in a high-risk fire zone, your insurer may exclude wildfires unless you purchase a special rider.

2. What happens if I’m forced to evacuate but my home isn’t damaged?

If evacuation is mandatory, ALE coverage may still be applicable. Check your policy.

3. Does renters insurance cover food spoilage from power outages?

Sometimes. If a wildfire causes the outage, you may be eligible for reimbursement, but this depends on your insurance provider’s terms and conditions.

4. Can I still file a claim if I don’t have receipts?

Yes, but having an inventory increases the credibility of your claim and the amount you’ll recover.

5. How much coverage should I get?

Take inventory of everything you own and calculate a total replacement cost. Most policies start at $20,000 to $30,000, but you can increase limits for better protection.

Keep brush and flammable material at least 30 feet from your rental. Encourage your landlord to maintain fire-safe landscaping.

📦 2. Store Valuables in Fireproof Safes

Essential documents, digital backups, and heirlooms should be stored in fire-resistant containers.

🧯 3. Know Your Evacuation Plan

Map out evacuation routes and practice with your household to ensure you’re prepared. Know where you’d stay if displaced.

💬 4. Review Your Policy Every Year

Life changes, and so should your insurance. Update it when you:

Sign up for emergency alerts from your state. Use weather apps to monitor fire danger levels.

So, to finally answer the question:

Does renter insurance cover wildfire?
Yes, but only if you’re prepared and informed.

Many renters mistakenly assume their landlord’s insurance will cover everything. That’s not the case. Your personal belongings, temporary housing, and peace of mind depend on having your policy, knowing your coverage limits, and acting fast during an emergency.

🔥 Call to Action: Let Eaton Fire Help You Navigate Wildfire Recovery

If a wildfire has impacted you and you are struggling with your insurance provider, Eaton Fire is here to help.