Severe Weather Alert MN: Insurance Coverage You Need to Know

What's Covered

Wildfire damage is typically covered by American Family homeowners insurance — as well as any damage caused by water and slurry that's used by firefighters attempting to extinguish the fire. Standard homeowners policies include fire and smoke damage coverage for your home's structure and belongings.

Specific coverages you likely have:

• Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A): Dwelling coverage for roof, walls, floor, siding, and windows. This pays to repair or rebuild your home structure after wildfire damage.
• Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C): Personal property coverage helps replace or repair items such as clothing, jewelry, appliances, furniture and electronics.
• Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B): Other structures coverage protects structures such as detached garages, sheds, fences or pools. This portion of your homeowners insurance can help you cover some of the damages up to your policy limits.
• Loss of Use Coverage (Coverage D): Loss of use coverage helps pay for expenses such as hotel stays and food should your home become unlivable. This portion of your homeowners insurance policy can help you pay for expenses such as accommodations and food costs.
• Auto Comprehensive Coverage: The optional, comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy insures your car against fire damage as well as vandalism.

Critical reminder: All coverages apply AFTER your deductible is met. Minnesota standard deductibles start at $500–$1,000 for homeowners policies. Your actual limits and deductibles vary by policy—check your declarations page immediately.

What's NOT Covered

This is where most homeowners get blindsided. Minnesota homeowners insurance does not automatically cover:

• Damage to landscaping/trees (unless you purchased a specific landscaping endorsement)
• Intentional fires you cause
• Property damage from wildfire prevention actions taken by others (e.g., controlled burns that spread)
• Loss of business or rental income (requires separate business interruption policy)
• Additional living expenses exceeding your policy limits
• American Family does not offer flood or earthquake coverage.

Additionally, some policies may exclude coverage for wildfire damage. This is rare but real. If your policy was written before 2010 or you have a low-cost bare-bones policy, check with your agent NOW.

Steps to Take RIGHT NOW

The Fire Weather Watch is active through Friday evening. These actions take 30 minutes:

1. Review your policy immediately. Pull your declarations page (online via MyAmFam or call your agent). Know your dwelling limit, deductible, and coverage dates.

1. Take a home video. Walk through every room of your home and yard with your phone camera. Narrate details: "Kitchen appliances, oak dining table, framed photos." Upload to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive) so it's backed up offsite.

1. Document your vehicle. Take photos of your car, including VIN, mileage, and condition. This accelerates comprehensive claims if wildfire damage occurs.

1. Create a digital inventory. List high-value items (jewelry, electronics, art, collectibles) with purchase prices. Email yourself this list or save to the cloud.

1. Know your evacuation route. Check Dakota County Emergency Management for current fire restrictions and evacuation zones. Have a go-bag ready: important documents, medications, photos, irreplaceable items.

1. Review your auto coverage. Confirm you have comprehensive (not just liability). Wildfires can damage vehicles parked at home or on roads during evacuation.

1. Confirm your agent's contact info. Have Weston's number saved: (763) 402-8220. If fire strikes, you'll file a claim immediately—not during a stressful evacuation.

Filing a Claim

If wildfire damage occurs:

Contact your insurance professional as soon as you can – An insurance adjuster may visit your home to assess the damage, and you'll likely need to provide your insurer with a completed "proof of loss" form, which asks for a description of each damaged item, the approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair.

Claim filing steps:

1. Contact your American Family agent immediately (don't wait).
2. Report the claim online via MyAmFam app or by phone.
3. Provide your video and photo inventory to the adjuster.
4. Keep damaged items (if safe to do so) for adjuster assessment.
5. Submit receipts, photos, and proof of purchase for personal property claims.

Insurance policies generally place a time limit on filing claims and these vary from state to state and company to company. Check with your insurer to see what the time limits are so you don't miss your window of opportunity to file your claim. In Minnesota, homeowners typically have one year from the date of loss to file, but don't delay.

FAQ

Q: Does my homeowners policy cover trees and landscaping damaged by wildfire?

A: Not automatically. Some home policies will have endorsements to insure trees, shrubs and plants if burned in the wildfire. Check your policy or contact Weston to add this optional coverage while the Fire Weather Watch is active.

Q: What if I evacuate and need a hotel? Is that covered?

A: Yes—up to your Loss of Use limit. If your home has been rendered uninhabitable by a wildfire, your homeowners or renters insurance will reimburse you for any additional living expenses (ALE) incurred as a result, such as a hotel room or meals out. Keep all receipts. Your coverage limit is typically 20% of your dwelling coverage, so a $300,000 home includes up to $60,000 in ALE.

Q: Can I get coverage if I don't have it now?

A: You cannot file a claim for damage on a policy that wasn't active when the fire occurred. If you're uninsured or underinsured, contact Weston immediately at (763) 402-8220. Same-day quotes are available.

Q: What about my vehicle if it's damaged by wildfire?

A: The optional, comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy insures your car against fire damage as well as vandalism. Liability-only auto policies do NOT cover fire. Call Weston to confirm your auto has comprehensive coverage.

Q: Do I need separate wildfire insurance?

A: In Minnesota, standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire damage. Confirm with your insurance agent that your homeowner or renter policy covers wildfire-related damage. Understand your policy's limits, exclusions and deductibles. There's no separate "wildfire insurance" product in Minnesota, but you may add optional endorsements for landscaping or higher limits.

Don't Wait—Verify Your Coverage NOW

The Fire Weather Watch is a warning, not a guarantee. But the time to review your policy is today, not after a fire starts. Minnesota winters are harsh, but spring wildfire season brings its own dangers—especially in Dakota and other dry counties.

Questions about your coverage?

Weston Nelson is the owner and principal agent at Nelson & Associates, Inc., an exclusive American Family Insurance agency in Fridley, MN, licensed in 18 states. Call or text (763) 402-8220 with any coverage questions.