Does Insurance Cover Fireworks Damage? What Homeowners Should Know

Standard homeowners insurance may cover fireworks damage, but it will depend on your insurer and whether fireworks are legally permitted in your area. While your homeowners insurance may provide coverage for fireworks-related damage, you should always practice firework safety to help prevent fire and injuries this Fourth of July.

Fireworks damage, including fires, explosions and smoke damage, may result in property losses and injuries that homeowners insurance may cover, depending on the circumstances.

Keep reading to learn whether home insurance covers fireworks damage and injuries, including what may happen if a firework causes damage to your home or property.

On This Page

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  Does Home Insurance Cover Firework Damage?

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  What Types of Firework Damage Are Usually Covered?

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  When Might a Firework Damage Claim Be Denied?

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  Does Home Insurance Cover Damage Caused by a Neighbor’s Fireworks?

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  What if My Fireworks Damage Someone Else’s Property?

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  Are Fireworks-Related Injuries Covered by Home Insurance?

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  Firework Damage Prevention Tips for Homeowners

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  Home Insurance and Firework Damage at a Glance

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  How To File a Firework Damage Claim

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  Frequently Asked Questions

Does Home Insurance Cover Firework Damage?

Your homeowners insurance will typically cover damage caused by fireworks, including damage to your property and others. However, coverage will vary by carrier and may exclude certain claims, such as damage caused by the reckless or illegal use of fireworks. In general, your policy will provide four types of coverage for physical damage:

• Dwelling: Pays for repairs to your home’s structure if damaged by a firework.
• Additional structures: Covers firework damage to your fence, sheds, detached garages and other structures.
• Personal property: Reimburses you for damage from fireworks to your furniture, electronics or other personal belongings.
• Additional living expenses: Pays for hotel bills, meals and other daily living expenses to help you recover after a fire if your home is undergoing repairs and is temporarily inaccessible.

What Types of Firework Damage Are Usually Covered?

Fireworks, when set off improperly or in the wrong areas, can potentially damage your home and property through fire or explosive impacts. We’ll detail some of the different types of firework damage you’ll typically be covered for below.

Fire Damage to the Home

Fire is one of the most commonly covered perils by homeowners insurance, meaning that even if your policy operates under a named perils basis, you’ll still be covered.^[2] For example, if a stray firework sets part of your house on fire, you would typically be covered for the cost of repair, as well as additional living expenses until repairs are complete if the damage renders your home uninhabitable. However, coverage limits may cap how much you’re able to claim, and policies may feature a time limit on how long they’ll cover additional living expenses.

Roof Damage

Your roof is considered part of your dwelling, so you’ll likely be covered in the event that fireworks damage your roof. For example, if a firework accidentally careens onto your roof and damages shingles in the explosion, you would likely be covered for repair.

Damage to Other Structures

Other structures coverage, also known as Coverage B, protects buildings that are on your property but aren’t directly attached to your house and will typically cover damage from fireworks that results in a covered peril, like smoke, fire or explosions. For example, if a firework goes into a detached shed in your yard and burns it down, you’d be covered for the loss.

Smoke Damage

Like fire, smoke damage is a commonly covered peril in a homeowners insurance policy and is typically covered if caused by fireworks.^[2] For example, if smoke from stray fireworks gets in through an open window, staining your interior walls and ceiling, your insurance would likely cover the repair.

Personal Property Damage

Home insurance typically features personal property coverage, meaning that it may cover your belongings if a firework damages or destroys your furniture, clothing, electronics and other belongings.^[2] For example, if a firework starts a house fire that damages your television and couch, you’d typically be covered for the cost of repair or replacement.

However, depending on your policy, you may be covered for the item's actual cash value or its replacement cost. Additionally, your personal property may have sublimits, meaning it may cover items only up to a certain amount.

For individual valuable and expensive items, consider a scheduled personal property endorsement, which allows you to cover them at their replacement value.

When Might a Firework Damage Claim Be Denied?

Even if the firework damage results in an otherwise covered loss, there are some exclusions to firework damage coverage that may result in claim denial. Ensure you review your policy to understand these exclusions and go out of your way to avoid them or risk paying for damages out of pocket.

Illegal Fireworks

Insurance typically excludes claims arising from illegal activities, which can include lighting fireworks if doing so is against the law where you live.^[3] Some states may ban the use of fireworks altogether, while others only place restrictions on what type of fireworks you can use. ^[1] For example, Texas law allows certain consumer fireworks during approved sales periods, subject to state and local restrictions, meaning other firework use could result in a claim denial if damage occurs.^[4]

Intentional Damage

Home insurance covers you from sudden and unexpected losses, so intentional acts are typically excluded from coverage.^[3] For example, if you set off a firework indoors as a prank and it damages your home and electronics, you likely wouldn’t be covered.

Negligence and Lack of Maintenance

Your home insurance policy will typically exclude claims that occur due to owner negligence and not keeping up on maintenance, as these are seen as your responsibility.^[3] This means if you experience firework damage, but it occurred due to gross negligence, your claim could be denied. For example, if you failed to clean your gutters or remove dead leaves from your yard, which resulted in a house fire from a stray firework spark, your claim may be denied for not keeping your property free from kindling.

Damage to Your Car

While your car may be your property, it is not covered under your homeowners insurance. For example, you wouldn’t be covered if stray fireworks started a fire on top of your car. Instead, you’ll need comprehensive car insurance to protect your vehicle from fireworks damage. However, personal belongings kept in your car are typically covered by home insurance, though off-premises coverage may be lower than for items kept at home.

Does Home Insurance Cover Damage Caused by a Neighbor’s Fireworks?

If your home is damaged due to somebody else’s fireworks accident, then you can file a claim under the liability portion of their insurance policy or file a lawsuit against them. For example, suppose your roof was partially burned down because your neighbor was shooting fireworks in their backyard, and one firework landed on your roof. In that case, they and their home insurance company should be held liable for the cost of repairing your roof.

What if My Fireworks Damage Someone Else’s Property?

If you end up damaging someone else’s property with fireworks, you’ll typically be covered under the personal liability portion of your homeowners insurance. For example, if your firework spun out of control and crashed through someone’s window, your insurance would typically cover the cost of repair. Without homeowners coverage, you’d likely need to pay for the firework damage you’re liable for out of pocket.

Are Fireworks-Related Injuries Covered by Home Insurance?

If the fireworks you light cause injury to a third party, such as your neighbor or a guest, then you can be held liable for their medical expenses. Fortunately, your homeowners policy provides third-party liability coverage in two ways:

• Personal liability
• Medical payments

Keep in mind that neither of these two coverages will cover injuries sustained by you or anyone else living with you. Instead, you will need to rely on your health insurance coverage.

Personal Liability Coverage

Your personal liability coverage pays for a third party’s medical bills as well as reimbursement for any damage to their property due to your fireworks. Personal liability coverage will also protect you whether you’re at home or elsewhere, meaning you’ll still be covered if you injure someone with fireworks on your front lawn or at a beach event.

Personal liability coverage will only cover you if you’re liable for causing the injury. Additionally, you’ll only be protected up to your coverage limits.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical payments, or MedPay, cover medical treatment if a third party is injured. It works similarly to personal liability insurance, except this coverage applies regardless of fault. Additionally, medical payments are meant to cover more minor injuries and typically have much smaller coverage limits — often between $1,000 and $5,000.

Firework Damage Prevention Tips for Homeowners

The following safety tips may help you avoid property damage and injuries when lighting fireworks:

• Only use consumer fireworks that are legally permitted in your area.
• Read the cautionary labels and instructions on the fireworks before igniting.
• Do not attempt to light homemade fireworks.
• Prohibit young children from handling fireworks — even sparklers. Nearly half of all firework injuries to children under five are due to handling sparklers.^[1]
• Do not mix setting off fireworks and drinking alcohol or consuming other impairing substances.
• Do not underestimate how hot fireworks can get when handling them. Sparklers can burn at temperatures between 1,200 and 3,000 degrees — enough to melt some metals and cause severe burns.^[5]
• Always have a responsible adult supervising a fireworks activity.
• Wear protective eyewear.
• Only light fireworks outdoors, never indoors.
• Ignite fireworks in a clear area, free from flammable materials.
• Do not point or throw fireworks at other people.
• Discard malfunctioning fireworks and do not reattempt to ignite them.
• Soak fireworks in water before discarding them in a metal container.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and learn how to use it properly.
• Have a bucket of water or a water hose readily accessible for dousing fires.
• Be extra vigilant if your area has a poor fire protection class.

Home Insurance and Firework Damage at a Glance

Below, we’ll briefly overview the essential information you should know about home insurance and firework damage:

• Firework damage is typically covered by homeowners insurance, but there are typically exclusions for illegal or reckless use of fireworks.
• Even if you have coverage, it’s always best to take precautions to prevent fireworks damage and to enjoy them safely.
• Review local fireworks laws to understand what, if any, fireworks are legal in your area before setting any off.
• Your insurance will only protect you up to your coverage limits, so ensure you have enough coverage in the event you damage your home or personal property or injure someone else due to fireworks.
• Clean your roof and put away flammable debris to prevent stray sparks from starting a house fire before the Fourth of July.

How To File a Firework Damage Claim

Take the following steps when filing a home insurance claim for fireworks damage:

1. Make sure everybody is safe. If anybody is injured, call 911.
2. Notify your insurance company of the incident. Your claims adjuster will walk you through the process and may request documents, such as a copy of the police report or medical invoices.
3. If there is damage to the structure of your home, then your adjuster may visit your home to assess the damage. Review the damage with the claims adjuster and answer any questions they have.
4. If the claim is approved and you agree on a settlement amount, you should receive the funds by mail or electronically.