SAINT PAUL, MN: As Minnesota experiences an active wildfire season, with dangerous and fast-moving fires, the Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging Minnesota homeowners and renters to take proactive steps to protect their property by reviewing their insurance coverage.  

Be insurance ready

• Review your coverage: Confirm with your insurance agent that your homeowner or renter policy covers wildfire-related damage. Understand your policy’s limits, exclusions and deductibles.
• Build a home inventory: Take photos of each room in your home, including storage spaces like the attic, shed and garage. Write a brief description of each item, noting the make, model, price and other details that might help when filing a claim. Commerce video: How to create a home inventory.
• Know how to file: In the event of a fire, contact your insurance agent immediately to start the claims process. Commerce offers support if you face delays or disputes.

Help with insurance and recovery

The Commerce Department provides:

• Advice on how to file a homeowner or renter insurance claim
• Information on what typical policies do and do not cover
• Support for consumers dealing with insurance disputes
• Links to local and federal disaster assistance resources

For step-by-step recovery tools, visit Commerce’s Disaster Information Center.  

Minnesotans can also reach out directly to the Commerce Consumer Services Center for one-on-one help:

• Phone: 651-539-1600 (Twin Cities metro) or 800-657-3602 (Greater Minnesota)
• Email:  consumer.protection@state.mn.us

Protecting property before a wildfire

To minimize potential damage from wildfires, Commerce recommends these actions:

• Prepare your home: Remove dry leaves, dead brush, debris and pine needles from yards and gutters. Burning bush or yard waste is not allowed under current burning restrictions. When fire danger is high, campfires are discouraged. People are encouraged to find alternatives to burning to dispose of yard waste, such as composting, chipping, or taking brush to a collection site.
• Create a defensible zone: Maintain a buffer zone of at least 30 feet around your home. Keep the grass mowed low. Move wood piles away. Clean under decks and patios.
• Visit the Minnesota Firewise Program website to learn more ways to reduce your home’ s wildfire risk.
• Protect important documents: Safeguard important documents, such as titles, deeds and financial records. Make copies and secure them in a fireproof safe or digitally back them up to the cloud. Have a plan to evacuate including important documents, medicines and pets.

Stay alert and informed

Fire danger has been extreme across all of Minnesota. Multiple areas have also experienced Red Flag Warnings for critical fire weather hazards due to low humidity, high winds, and very dry fuels available. Wildfires can easily start and get out of control in these conditions. Until the state receives significant precipitation or conditions improve, fire danger may remain very high. Check the current fire danger and burning restrictions at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources webpage: Fire danger and burning restrictions.

About the Minnesota Department of Commerce

The Minnesota Department of Commerce regulates the insurance industry, promotes strong consumer protections, and provides resources for Minnesotans in times of emergency or disaster.

Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce by following Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.

Contact
Mo Schriner
Minnesota Department of Commerce
651-363-1227
mo.schriner@state.mn.us