What type of damage is covered by fire peril in dwelling policies?

Fire peril coverage in dwelling policies specifically includes damage caused by hostile fires. Hostile fires are those that occur in an uncontrolled manner and can cause significant destruction to property, such as wildfires or accidental house fires. Insurance policies typically clarify that coverage only applies to fires that the insured could not control or whose spread was not permitted.

Friendly fires, which refer to fires that are set intentionally in a controlled manner (like a campfire or a fireplace) but then spread beyond the intended area, are often excluded from coverage. This is due to the belief that the insured retained control and gave permission for the fire, thus assuming responsibility for its consequences.

Additionally, coverage does not extend to internal fires that are a result of issues such as electrical malfunctions or gas leaks unless caused by a hostile incident. Therefore, it is crucial to understand that fire peril coverage is meant to protect against unforeseen and uncontrollable fire events, emphasizing the nature of hostile fires in dwelling policy coverage.