Fire insurance is often assumed to be just about flames, but standard fire insurance policies in India include several perils (risks) beyond just fire. Knowing what those perils are ensures you truly understand your protection. Coverbizz explains the common perils and what to verify in your policy.

What Is A Peril In Fire Insurance?

A peril is a specific risk or cause of damage listed in the policy. If damage arises from one of the perils listed, the insurer may compensate (subject to terms). Anything not listed is usually excluded.

12 COMMON PERILS (Risks) Under Standard Fire Policies

These are typically included risks in standard fire insurance policies:

1. Fire
2. Lightning
3. Explosion / Implosion
4. Aircraft Damage (e.g., impact, crash)
5. Riot, Strike, Malicious Damage
6. Storm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado, Flood, Inundation
7. Impact by any Rail / Road / Animal Vehicles
8. Subsidence, Landslide, Rockslide
9. Bursting and/or overflowing of water tanks, pipes, etc.
10. Leakage or water flowing from automatic sprinkler installations.
11. Falling of trees, aerial objects, etc.
12. Collapse of building or parts due to any of the above perils.

(Note: exact lists may differ slightly between insurers and policy wordings.)

What You Should Check In Your Fire Policy

• The Perils List: Are all 12 included or only a subset? Some policies limit certain natural calamities.
• Exclusions: Even if a peril is mentioned, there may be sub‑limits or exclusions (e.g., flooding only up to a certain depth).
• Add‑ons or Extensions: Do you need coverage for earthquakes, terrorism, etc., that are not standard?
• Sum Insured and Reinstatement: Does the policy allow reinstatement after a claim?

Conclusion

Having fire insurance is smart; knowing the perils it covers is essential. At Coverbizz, we review the policy wordings, make sure fire‑insurance policies cover relevant risks for your area (e.g., flood-prone, rainfall, seismic risk), and help you choose extensions if needed.