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Fire Insurance
Fire-related accidents are in the headlines ever so often. In a recent incident, a fire led to the death of six people and severely damaged the building of Excel Greentech, Noida.
Owning a business, one is always susceptible to risks. A fire eruption doesn’t only cause massive financial damage, but it is also really daunting to deal with the aftermath. Here’s why having Fire Insurance is a wise decision.
icon What is Fire Insurance Policy?
Insurance that offers protection of your property against fire-related damages is called ‘Fire Insurance’. However, this insurance is completely different from property insurance where the inclusion list includes the expenses incurred during reconstruction, repair or replacement of not only the insured property, but also nearby affected structures if any. Other coverages include damage to the personal property other than the insured and expenses of those who are affected due to the property damage.
icon Scope of Fire Insurance Policy
- Fire insurance offers complete protection against damage, due to fire explosion, caused to movable or immovable property.
- Fire insurance includes damages to the properties including an office building, furniture, plan, stock, machinery etc.
- Other than fire perils, this policy also includes damages due to natural disaster, landslide, explosion, bursting of water tank etc.
Scope of Fire Insurance: Case
After serving seven years in the corporate sector, Malini started her own fashion house, with a manpower of 25. Soon after her business picking up its pace, a sudden incident left her shell-shocked. A fire erupted at her neighbourhood shop and half of the property was damaged, incurring huge financial damages. The shop owner hadn’t insured his property, hence had to bear the entire loss by himself.
Malini, taking a lesson from this event, decided to purchase fire insurance to protect her fashion house from any unforeseen events like this. Initially, finance was a constraint for her and she had to purchase old machinery and furniture. Being skeptical about whether her fire insurance covers these expenses or not, she contacted the insurer. She breathed a sigh of relief when the insurer confirmed that the scope of fire insurance covers old machinery and furniture as well.
iconTypes of Fire Insurance Policy
- Specific policy: In this policy, a specified sum insured is decided for a certain property and in the event of any loss, the actual loss doesn’t exceed the chosen insured amount.
- Comprehensive policy: This policy offers coverage, not only, against fire-related accidents but, also covers you against other risks including theft, lightning, burglary, civil commotion, damage or loss due to pests etc.
- Valued policy: At the time the policy initiates, the value of the property is decided. Instead of the current market value, the indemnity of the policy is decided based on the value of the property. So, the value agreed during the time of the inception of the policy is the deciding factor of policy indemnity here.
- Floating policy: This is beneficial if you deal with fluctuating stocks in different areas. This policy offers coverage for one or more goods at the same time under one sum assured and one premium.
- Valuable Policy: Under this policy, the claim amount is determined based on the present market price of the damaged property.
icon Characteristics of Fire Insurance Policy One Shouldn’t Ignore
- Contract of Good Faith - The policy is based on good faith between the insurer and the insured. At the time of policy initiation, both the parties must reveal all the material facts.
- Contract of Indemnity - It is an indemnity policy where the insurer is only liable to cover the actual loss that occurred. Even in case of a fire, if there is no loss, no insurance liability is offered.
- One-year Policy - The tenure of this policy is one year and can be renewed as per the defined terms and conditions.
- Insurable Interest - This policy is valid only if the insured has an insurable interest in the insured property. Such interest is required while a loss occurs. With this, the insured is benefitted by the survival of the insured property and faces a loss in case of its destruction.
- Personal Insurance Contract - This policy requires complete transparency. The insurer must know about the behaviour of the insured. Also, the policyholder, only, can transfer the policy with the consent of the insurer and the insurer is authorised to terminate the policy in case their possession of goods is transferred to a third-party.
- Personal right - The person whose name is mentioned in the policy document is entitled to receive the insured amount in case of any loss or unforeseen event that causes damage.
- Direct loss - One can avail this only if the fire is the root cause of the loss or damage.
- Description of property - This insurance needs a proper description of the property. The location should be mentioned in the policy document. The reason is that the insurer only settles the claim when the incident happens at the insured place. In case you make any change, the insurer should be informed immediately to avoid future consequences.
icon Perils Covered under Fire Insurance Policy in India
As the policy covers a wide range of perils, it is termed as Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy as well. The inclusion list covers
icon Exclusions of Fire Insurance Policy
iconWho Are Eligible to Take Fire Insurance Policy?
- This insurance is meant for any person/organisation/institution/firm who may suffer or want to protect his/her business from an unanticipated loss in the event of a fire.
- Anyone who owns a building, furniture, household articles etc.
- Retailers or shopkeepers, godown keepers.
- Banks, financial, education, research institutes, trustee, charitable institute.
- Service providers including hotel owners, hospitals, lodging, clinics etc.
- Manufacturing and industrial firms, transporters.
iconAdd-on Coverage
On payment of an additional premium, the insured can be entitled to below add-on coverage:
- Earthquake
- Wreckage removal
- Forest fire
- Loss of rent
- Startup cost
- Alternate accommodation
- Spontaneous burning
- Damage to stock due to change of temperature
- Leakage and contamination cover
- Architect, engineers, Surveyors consultation fee
- Cover for molten metal spillage
- Impact loss owing to insured’s own road/rail transit
iconHow to select the sum insured for Fire Insurance?
Sum insured is the most important aspect of an insurance policy. One has to be very careful at the time of choosing a sum insured. Fire insurance is no exception!
Sum insured for fire insurance is being decided by keeping a few things in mind such as:
- Stock
- Building
- Valuables, precious materials or antiques
- Plan and machinery, furniture or other important personal assets
iconTips to File Fire Insurance Claim
- God forbid, you need to file a claim against any unforeseen event or fire accident, inform the insurer right away.
- You will be required to present a detailed account of all damaged properties and estimated cost.
- If the surveyor asks for any additional information, cooperate with him.
- Help the surveyor in every way possible; take a tour of the damaged premises. Yes, it is quite annoying to entertain a bombardment of questions, but it anyway will help you during the claim process and quick settlement of the same.
iconDocuments Needed to File Fire Insurance
Below are the common documents for all claims related to fire insurance:
- An authorised copy of the policy along with schedule and clauses
- Duly filled claim form
- Newspaper proof If the incident is published in the media channels
- Previous claim record, if any
- Photographs
- FIR copy
- Fire brigade report
- Forensic report wherever is needed
- Final investigation report
iconIn a Nutshell!
Regardless of the precautions or the use of latest technology, your business is vulnerable to risks! Don’t ignore the possibilities because, after all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What are you waiting for? Buy fire insurance today!
iconHow Can We Help You?
Most businesses face innumerable risks but not every business manages those risks carefully. PolicyBazaar can help you find the right fire & special perils insurance cover to make sure your business stays protected from all perils. Submit basic details pertaining to your business, coverage required, etc. to compare and find the most suitable plan.