How grills and BBQs affect your home insurance is crucial, especially with the risks of fire damage during outdoor cooking.
Grill-related fires can cause significant property damage, and understanding how your policy handles such incidents is vital. Find the best and cheapest homeowners insurance that suits your needs.
Homeowners insurance often covers fire damage caused by grills, but knowing the specifics of your policy is key. Make sure your coverage protects against accidents involving grills and BBQs to avoid costly surprises.
What You Should Know
- Grill-related fire coverage starts at $45 per month for protection
- Grills and BBQs raise fire risks, making home insurance vital
- Ensure your policy covers fire damage caused by grills and BBQs
Homeowners Insurance Premiums for Fire Coverage (Grill-Related Incidents)
The table showcases various home insurance providers, focusing on the minimum and full coverage options available, along with potential discounts. It helps homeowners compare affordable insurance plans for grills and BBQ-related fire risks, providing insight into coverage across multiple companies.
Insurance Company | State Coverage | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage | Available Discounts |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nationwide | $45 | $125 | Bundling, Fire Alarms | |
Nationwide | $50 | $130 | Multi-Policy, Fire Safety | |
Selected States | $48 | $120 | Early Signing, Safe Home | |
Nationwide | $55 | $140 | Home Security Discounts | |
Nationwide | $52 | $135 | Safe Fire Equipment | |
Nationwide | $46 | $128 | Multi-Policy Discount | |
Selected States | $49 | $130 | Loyalty, Bundling | |
Selected States | $47 | $122 | Fire Safety, Bundling | |
Nationwide | $50 | $135 | Safe Home, Loyalty | |
Selected States | $53 | $139 | Multi-Policy, Fire Safety |
The table highlights minimum monthly coverage rates, starting from as low as $45, and full coverage reaching up to $140. Allstate and State Farm offer nationwide plans with bundling and fire alarm discounts, while companies like Liberty Mutual focus on home security.
Selected state coverage is provided by companies such as Farmers Insurance and Amica, where discounts like early signing and loyalty rewards are offered. Factors affecting home insurance rates, such as fire risk and safety measures, play a critical role in determining premiums.
Notably, Progressive and Nationwide emphasize fire safety and multi-policy discounts, ensuring coverage is tailored to fire-related incidents for grills and BBQs, addressing these key factors.
Read more: Top 3 Ways Customers Say They’ve Saved on Homeowners Insurance
Statistics Behind Grilling Accidents
The numbers might surprise you. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) tracks house and structure fires, and they released a report in April of 2016 on this topic.
Grilling — which covers grills, hibachis, and other outdoor cooking apparatus — caused 8,900 house fires during the study period from 2009 to 2013. These fires caused an annual average of 10 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and $118 million in property damage. Use these best practices to prevent a fire at your home effectively.
Additional Information From the NFPA Report
- The grills used in five out of six of these fires were gas-fueled grills
- The leading causes of these types of grill fires are: 1) a failure to clean properly; 2) having a grill too close to something that could catch fire; and 3) leaving the grill unattended
- Gas grills also resulted in fires caused by issues such as gas leaks or a break in the gas line
Steps to Take for Grilling Safely
The most important step you can take is to make sure your grill is clean and operating correctly. Grease, fat, and food drippings should be cleaned off regularly. If you have a gas grill, check to make sure all hoses are secure.
Apply a 1:1 soap and water solution to the hose and valve that connects the fuel source to the grill, and then open the valve and check for bubbles. If bubbles appear, there is a crack or leak in the fuel line that needs to be repaired before you can safely use your grill.
Would you rather pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 to recover and restore your home after a small fire or use your insurance to cover the cost? ➡️ https://t.co/UC30wLUwSs #Fires #Home #HomeSafety 🏡🔥 pic.twitter.com/y9usWkpCN2
— Clearsurance (@clearsurance) January 10, 2022
Make sure that your grill is a safe distance from your house and other structures and that it is on a level surface. If you use a charcoal grill, only use lighter fluid specifically designed for lighting a charcoal fire.
Never use gasoline or other accelerants to light your charcoal, and never add fuel to a fire that is already burning to “speed it up.” Structure fires represent many claims, but injuries from burns happen too. Understand your homeowner's insurance claim to check questions with expert guidance.
Keep small children and pets away from hot grills, and wear protective clothing, such as heavy grill mitts and an apron whenever you are cooking over an open flame. Have a working fire extinguisher close by.
Grill Fires and Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Your homeowners policy will usually cover damage to your covered structures, such as the house and garage, if you do experience a grill fire. You’ll be required to pay up to your deductible, so small fires that cause only minor damage might not warrant submitting a claim. Simplify coverage with a practical guide for understanding homeowners insurance.
If you are a renter, check your lease — many apartments and rental properties prohibit the use of grills or hibachis. A grill fire that damages your apartment won’t be covered by your renters policy if it was used in violation of your lease. Grill safely, and bon appétit.