Short answer: Fire is a covered peril on standard homeowners, condo and renters policies, so a fire started by a Christmas tree, a candle, a turkey fryer or a space heater is normally covered even if someone in the household was careless. The policy pays to repair the home, replace belongings, and cover extra living costs while you're displaced, up to your limits and after your deductible. The gaps show up elsewhere: renters whose belongings aren't insured because they assumed the landlord's policy covered them, jewelry and other gifts that exceed a policy's special limits, homes left vacant longer than the policy allows, and owners who can't prove what they lost. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that cooking is by far the leading cause of home fires and heating is second, which is why late fall and winter deserve extra care.
This guide is for homeowners, condo owners and renters in any state who are hosting, decorating or traveling between Thanksgiving and New Year's. It's general information. Your declarations page and policy wording control what's covered.
Why the season is risky
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), part of FEMA, publishes national estimates on the leading causes of home fires:
| Cause | Estimated U.S. home fires (2021) | Deaths | Injuries | Property loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking | 170,000 | 135 | 3,000 | over $494 million |
| Heating | 32,200 | 190 | 625 | $442 million |
Sources: USFA, Cooking Fire Safety and USFA, Heating Fire Safety.
Two details from the same pages stand out. Unattended cooking equipment was the leading factor in nonconfined home cooking fires, at 37%. And portable heaters caused only 3% of home heating fires in 2017–2019 but accounted for 41% of fatal heating fires. The USFA also notes, citing the National Fire Protection Association, that almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems (USFA, Holiday Fire Safety).
What your policy usually pays after a holiday fire
The Texas Department of Insurance's home insurance guide describes the standard coverages most home policies include (TDI, Home insurance guide). Here's how they apply after a fire:
| Coverage | What it does after a fire | Holiday-specific watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling | Repairs or rebuilds the house | Make sure the limit reflects today's rebuilding cost |
| Other structures | Detached garage, shed, fence | Outdoor decorations that spark a garage fire |
| Personal property | Furniture, clothing, gifts, decorations | Special limits on jewelry, watches and art; replacement cost vs. actual cash value |
| Additional living expenses (loss of use) | Hotel or rent, extra food and other added costs while the home is repaired | Only costs above your normal spending; keep receipts |
| Personal liability | Injuries to others and damage to their property that you're legally responsible for, plus legal defense | A guest burned by a fryer or a fire that spreads to a neighbor's home |
| Medical payments | Medical bills for guests hurt on your property, regardless of fault, up to a small limit | Quick payments for minor guest injuries |
Smoke and soot damage from a covered fire, and water damage from putting it out, are generally handled as part of the same fire claim.
The four gaps that hurt most
1. Renters without renters insurance. The landlord's policy covers the building, not the tenant's things. Connecticut's insurance department makes that point in its winter guidance: tenants' contents must be covered by the renter's own insurance (Connecticut Insurance Department). If you rent, see renters insurance and how much liability coverage you need on a renters policy.
2. Valuable gifts over the special limits. TDI notes that home policies limit what they'll pay for things like jewelry and art, and suggests talking to your agent about added coverage for expensive items. A ring under the tree or new camera gear may need to be scheduled separately. See how to insure jewelry, art and collectibles.
3. Long trips and vacancy. TDI lists losses that happen after a house has been vacant for the number of days specified in the policy among the things most policies don't cover. Policies define "vacant" in their own terms. A short holiday trip usually isn't the concern, but a home that's been emptied for a sale or a move can be. Read the vacancy clause, and see does homeowners insurance cover a vacant house?
4. No record of what you owned. After a fire, you'll have to list what was lost. TDI recommends a home inventory with photos or video, purchase dates, values and serial numbers, kept in a fireproof safe or away from home. Our home inventory guide includes a template.
Prevention steps the USFA recommends
Trees and lights
- Water a live tree every day. A dry tree can burn very hot and very fast.
- Keep the tree at least 3 feet from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles and heat vents, and don't let it block an exit.
- Inspect light strands every year and throw out any with frayed or pinched wires. Follow the manufacturer's limit on how many strands to connect.
- Get rid of the tree after the holiday or as soon as it dries out.
Candles
- Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, in stable holders where they can't be knocked over.
- Consider battery-operated flameless candles.
Cooking
- Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
- If you see smoke or grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
- Keep a lid or baking sheet nearby to smother a pan fire.
Heating
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources, including space heaters and wood stoves.
- Turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
- Have chimneys and heating equipment cleaned and inspected every year.
Smoke alarms
- Put alarms inside and outside each sleeping area and on every level, and choose interconnected alarms.
- Test them monthly, and replace any alarm 10 years from its manufacture date.
- Don't pull the battery when cooking sets one off; open a window and use the hush button instead. The USFA warns you may have less than 2 minutes to get out once an alarm sounds (USFA, Smoke Alarms).
If a fire happens: the claim, step by step
- Get everyone out and call 911. Don't go back in for belongings.
- Call your insurer's claims line as soon as you're safe, and ask whether an advance for immediate living expenses is available if you can't stay in the home.
- Secure the property against weather and theft once the fire department releases it. Save receipts for boarding up, tarping and similar emergency work.
- Document before cleanup. Photograph and video every room. Unless your insurer tells you otherwise, don't throw damaged items away before the adjuster sees them, a point Oklahoma's insurance department stresses in its claim tips (Oklahoma Insurance Department).
- Build the contents list room by room from your inventory, photos, bank and card statements, and online order histories.
- Track every added cost for additional living expenses: hotel, rent, extra mileage and meal costs above your normal grocery spending.
- Understand how you'll be paid. Under actual cash value, depreciation is subtracted. Under replacement cost, many policies pay the depreciation after you actually replace the item. See replacement cost vs. actual cash value.
Claim-filing and lawsuit deadlines vary by state; see home insurance claim and lawsuit deadlines by state and additional living expenses (loss of use).
Hosting this season: liability checks
- Serving alcohol at a party? Social host rules differ by state; see host liquor liability vs. liquor liability.
- A dog that's nervous around crowds? See dog bite liability insurance.
- Large family gathering or high net worth? An umbrella policy adds liability limits above your home and auto; see how much umbrella insurance do I need?
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover a Christmas tree fire?
Generally yes. Fire is a covered peril on standard homeowners, condo and renters policies, so damage from a tree, light strand or decoration fire is normally covered after your deductible and up to your limits, including smoke damage and extra living costs while you're displaced.
Is a kitchen or turkey fryer fire covered if it was my fault?
Usually yes. Homeowners insurance covers accidental fires even when someone in the household was careless. Intentionally set fires aren't covered. If a guest is hurt, your liability or medical payments coverage may respond.
Does renters insurance cover holiday fire damage?
Yes, for your own belongings and extra living expenses, if you have a renters policy. The landlord's insurance covers the building, not your things.
Are expensive holiday gifts covered if there's a fire?
Up to your personal property limit, but home policies cap what they pay for categories like jewelry and art. Ask about scheduling high-value gifts on your policy or a separate floater.
Does home insurance cover my house while I'm away for the holidays?
Usually, for a normal trip. Policies limit coverage for homes left vacant beyond a set number of days, so read the vacancy clause if the home will be empty for an extended period.
What causes the most home fires?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is by far the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and heating is the second-leading cause.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.
Related guide: Portable heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves and chimney fires: how home insurance claims work