Does auto insurance cover arson? (2026 Coverage Details)
Want to know does auto insurance cover arson? Comprehensive auto insurance often usually covers any fire damage from arson, but you should review your policy to check for any exclusions. The average cost of comprehensive coverage in the US starts at $8/mo.
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Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
Laura D. Adams
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Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Justin Wright
Updated March 2025
Wondering does auto insurance cover arson? Your auto insurance company will usually cover arson if you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage.
Drivers need to review their insurance policies to determine if they have the necessary coverage for arson and other fire-related incidents. Read on to learn how to make sure your vehicle is covered for arson.
Get the comprehensive coverage you need for the best price. Compare auto insurance quotes today by entering your zip code.
- Arson is usually covered under comprehensive insurance
- Liability and uninsured motorist coverage may cover other fire-related incidents
- Customers should be familiar with any exclusions in their policy
Comprehensive Coverage for Arson
Arson is one such scenario that may severely damage a vehicle. Few would ever dream their vehicle would deliberately be set on fire, but, believe it or not, car arson does occur. The sight of cars ablaze during a riot is, sadly, something that does occur.
Regardless of the reasons or circumstances surrounding the arson, a fire is going to do major harm to a car. The vehicle might even be completely totaled.
So, is arson covered by insurance? In the aftermath of arson, comprehensive insurance should cover damage related to arson. Additionally, comprehensive insurance would likely cover other types of fire-related disasters.
For example, if an accidental house fire spread from a neighbor’s house to a garage, a comprehensive auto insurance claim for the damage could be filed.
Comprehensive insurance is designed to protect vehicles against a wide range of damage-inducing problems outside of accidents. This type of coverage should never be overlooked when performing comparison shopping for auto insurance online, as it is the best car insurance for fire and theft (Read More: Where to Buy Auto Insurance Online).
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Beware of Exclusions on Your Auto Insurance Policy
Policyholders need to familiarize themselves with exclusions in their policies. An exclusion is, essentially, a clause in the insurance contract that states something is not covered.
An example of a standard exclusion in an auto insurance policy is poor maintenance.
Negligence with maintenance is probably spelled out in an auto insurance policy's exclusions. However, not all exclusions are clear, so make sure to read your policy thoroughly and ask questions.Daniel Walker Licensed Insurance Agent
Reading through a policy could reveal exclusions that are tied to possible arson that could affect your arson insurance claim. Some exclusions may include:
- Terrorism
- Riot-related incidents
That means no arson inflicted in a vehicle would be covered if terrorism or a riot were the cause of the damage (Learn More: Does auto insurance cover riot damage?).
Different Fire Scenarios
Aside from arson, vehicles can catch fire due to a collision as well. Cars are at risk of fires and explosions due to the presence of gasoline. If a car is hit by an another driver, the vehicle could go dangerously ablaze.
The same could occur when a driver crashes his or her own car into an object. Scenarios of this nature could be covered under various other coverage categories outside of comprehensive. So, you will want to be sure that your vehicle possesses the necessary insurance (Read More: How much car insurance do I need?).
Cost of Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Not all coverage is required under the law. Auto liability is required by law in 48 states, but the thresholds could be low. Drivers worried about causing fires and other damage in an accident should think about raising those thresholds and getting full coverage with collision and comprehensive coverage.
Take a look at the average rates for collision and comprehensive coverage below (Read More: Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance Explained).
Collision and Comprehensive Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State
| State | Collision | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32 | $15 |
| Alaska | $32 | $12 |
| Arizona | $27 | $17 |
| Arkansas | $31 | $20 |
| California | $40 | $8 |
| Colorado | $28 | $23 |
| Connecticut | $34 | $11 |
| Delaware | $29 | $12 |
| Florida | $30 | $12 |
| Georgia | $34 | $15 |
| Hawaii | $30 | $9 |
| Idaho | $22 | $12 |
| Illinois | $28 | $12 |
| Indiana | $24 | $11 |
| Iowa | $21 | $18 |
| Kansas | $24 | $23 |
| Kentucky | $26 | $14 |
| Louisiana | $41 | $21 |
| Maine | $25 | $9 |
| Maryland | $35 | $14 |
| Massachusetts | $37 | $12 |
| Michigan | $40 | $13 |
| Minnesota | $22 | $17 |
| Mississippi | $31 | $20 |
| Missouri | $26 | $18 |
| Montana | $24 | $26 |
| Nebraska | $23 | $22 |
| Nevada | $31 | $10 |
| New Hampshire | $27 | $10 |
| New Jersey | $35 | $11 |
| New Mexico | $26 | $18 |
| New York | $38 | $15 |
| North Carolina | $29 | $11 |
| North Dakota | $23 | $21 |
| Ohio | $25 | $11 |
| Oklahoma | $29 | $22 |
| Oregon | $23 | $9 |
| Pennsylvania | $31 | $14 |
| Rhode Island | $40 | $12 |
| South Carolina | $27 | $17 |
| South Dakota | $20 | $27 |
| Tennessee | $30 | $14 |
| Texas | $37 | $22 |
| Utah | $26 | $11 |
| Vermont | $27 | $12 |
| Virginia | $26 | $12 |
| Washington | $26 | $10 |
| Washington D.C. | $45 | $19 |
| West Virginia | $29 | $19 |
| Wisconsin | $21 | $13 |
| Wyoming | $25 | $26 |
| U.S. Average | $31 | $14 |
While collision and comprehensive are optional, drivers should consider purchasing those options when reviewing quotes.
Uninsured motorist insurance could be worth purchasing as well. For example, if the person who causes a car accident has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage could prove extremely helpful.
Securing Auto Insurance Coverage for Arson
Does car insurance cover arson? Situations related to vehicle arson or other causes of a vehicle catching on fire can vary, but full coverage auto insurance will cover most incidents of fire. With the right car fire coverage in place, a settlement may be reached to cover losses associated with this type of peril.
Customers need to review auto insurance exclusions and other terms on their policy to be sure they have selected the right service with the best chance of covering losses.Dani Best Licensed Insurance Producer
Ready to shop for comprehensive coverage for arson? Compare car insurance quotes today by entering your zip code in our free tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover fire damage from arson?
If you are looking for arson insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance should cover damage related to arson, as well as other fire-related disasters. It is designed to protect vehicles against a wide range of damage-inducing problems outside of accidents.
Can vehicles catch fire due to reasons other than arson?
Yes, vehicles can catch fire due to collisions or accidents. The presence of gasoline in cars poses a risk of fires and explosions. These scenarios may be covered under other car fire insurance categories, such as collision or liability insurance.
What other types of fire-related incidents might be covered by comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance may also cover damage caused by accidental house fires, garage fires, or other non-intentional fire incidents (Learn More: What is needed for adequate auto insurance coverage?).
Will my comprehensive insurance cover arson if it occurs while my car is parked in my garage?
Yes, if your comprehensive insurance policy covers fire damage, it should typically cover arson incidents, including those that happen in your garage.
What happens if my car catches on fire?
If your car catches on fire, do not attempt to put it out yourself. Instead, call 911 for assistance with the car fire.
Are there any exclusions in my policy that I should be aware of?
Yes, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the exclusions in your policy. Some policies may exclude coverage for arson incidents related to terrorism or riots and result in your claim being denied (Read More: What to Do if Your Auto Insurance Company Won’t Pay a Claim).
Does gap insurance cover fire?
Gap insurance is an add-on to help cover the cost difference between what is left on your loan and the insurance payout for a totaled vehicle. So yes, if your car was destroyed by fire, gap insurance will help pay off your loan after you make an arson insurance claim.
Does liability car insurance cover fire damage?
Liability insurance covers fire damage to other parties’ cars if you hit their vehicle and it catches fire. It does not cover auto arson fire damage. To shop for fire damage car insurance today, enter your ZIP in our free quote tool.
Should I provide evidence or proof of arson when filing an insurance claim?
Yes, providing evidence of arson, such as a police report or fire department investigation report, can support your claim and help with the car arson insurance claims process (Learn More: How to File an Auto Insurance Claim).
Does full coverage cover car fire?
Full coverage includes comprehensive coverage, so full coverage will cover most cases of vehicle fire loss.
Does car insurance cover electrical fires?
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