If you've looked outside recently and noticed hazy skies or smelled smoke in the air, you're not imagining it. Wildfires burning in northern Minnesota have sent smoke drifting across much of the state, reminding many homeowners that wildfire season isn't just a concern for western states.
While most Minnesotans won't experience a wildfire reaching their front door, these events are a good reminder to review your homeowners insurance before an emergency happens.
Wildfire Risk Isn't Just About Flames
When people think about wildfire damage, they often picture homes directly in the fire's path. But wildfires can affect homeowners in several ways, including:
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Fire damage to your home or other structures
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Smoke and soot damage to your property
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Evacuation orders that temporarily force you from your home
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Damage to landscaping, fencing, or detached buildings
The recent smoke across Minnesota highlights how far the effects of a wildfire can travel—even if the fire itself is hundreds of miles away.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildfires?
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners insurance policies generally cover fire damage, including damage caused by wildfires.
Depending on your policy, coverage may include:
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Repairs or rebuilding if your home is damaged by fire
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Replacement of personal belongings damaged in a covered loss
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Detached structures such as garages, sheds, and fences
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Additional Living Expenses (ALE) if you cannot safely live in your home because of a covered claim
Coverage limits and exclusions vary by insurer and policy, which is why reviewing your coverage with your insurance broker is important.
What About Smoke Damage?
One question many homeowners have during smoky conditions is whether smoke damage is covered.
If a wildfire causes smoke damage to your home, many homeowners policies provide coverage for cleaning and repairing smoke damage that results from a covered fire. However, every situation is different. Lingering smoke odors, soot cleanup, and damage to walls, furniture, or HVAC systems may require documentation and a claim evaluation.
Simply seeing haze outside doesn't necessarily mean your home has sustained covered damage, but if smoke has entered your home or caused measurable damage, it's worth contacting your insurance professional to discuss your options.
A Good Time for a Coverage Checkup
Current events often remind us of risks we don't think about every day. While Minnesota isn't known for large-scale wildfires like some western states, recent fire seasons have shown that wildfire risk is becoming part of our state's conversation.
Now is a good time to:
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Review your home's replacement cost coverage.
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Make sure your personal property limits are adequate.
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Create or update a home inventory with photos or videos.
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Understand what your deductible is before you ever need to file a claim.
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Ask your insurance broker about any questions you have regarding wildfire or smoke-related coverage.
The Bottom Line
The haze over Minnesota is more than just an unusual weather event—it's a reminder that unexpected risks can affect homeowners anywhere in the state.
Taking a few minutes to review your homeowners insurance today can provide peace of mind should the unexpected happen tomorrow. If you're unsure what your current policy covers, our team is happy to help you review your coverage and answer your questions.