Yes, Bamboo Insurance covers fire. Fire and lightning are listed as covered perils on every Bamboo homeowners and dwelling fire policy, whether that is a standard HO-3, a basic DP-1 dwelling fire form, or a special DP-3 dwelling fire form. The important catch is wildfire: for higher-risk California properties, Bamboo does not write the fire portion directly. Instead, the homeowner carries a California FAIR Plan policy for fire and a Bamboo “Difference in Conditions” policy for everything else.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines
How Fire Is Covered on a Standard Bamboo Policy
On the HO-3 homeowners policy, the dwelling and other structures are covered on an open-perils basis, meaning any direct physical loss that isn’t specifically excluded is covered. Personal property is written on a named-peril basis, and “fire or lightning” sits at the top of that list.2MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo HO3 Program Guidelines The policy also includes loss of use if a fire makes the home uninhabitable, plus personal liability and medical payments.3Policygenius. Bamboo Insurance Review
The dwelling fire policies are built for non-primary residences such as rentals, vacation homes, and vacant properties. The DP-1 is a named-perils form and lists fire or lightning first. The DP-3 covers the structure on an open-perils basis and names fire or lightning as a covered peril for personal property.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines By default these forms include only the dwelling and other structures; personal property, liability, and loss of use are available as endorsements.3Policygenius. Bamboo Insurance Review
How a fire claim gets paid depends on the form. The DP-1 settles at actual cash value, which deducts depreciation from the loss. The DP-3 and HO-3 pay structural damage on a limited replacement cost basis, though personal property under the DP-3 is still valued at actual cash value.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines If you want full replacement cost on contents after a fire, the DP-3 by itself will not deliver it.
When Bamboo Doesn’t Write the Fire Coverage
Bamboo does most of its business in California, where wildfire exposure drives much of the underwriting.4Policygenius. Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in California To gauge that exposure, Bamboo uses a Fireline score. A property scoring 3 or lower is generally eligible for a standard Bamboo policy, provided it has at least 250 feet of clearance from brush fuel sources, verified by aerial imagery or on-site inspection.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines Properties that fail that clearance test, score above 3, or sit in areas the U.S. Forest Service classifies as “Vegetated” or “Wildland Urban Intermix” are handled differently.2MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo HO3 Program Guidelines
For those homes, Bamboo won’t provide standalone fire coverage. The Bamboo policy has to carry a “Difference in Conditions” (DIC) endorsement, and the homeowner has to hold a concurrent California FAIR Plan policy.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines The FAIR Plan is a state-created insurer of last resort for homeowners who can’t get coverage in the regular market. Its basic policy covers only fire, lightning, smoke, and internal explosion, with a dwelling coverage cap of $3 million.5United Policyholders. The Lowdown From UP on the California FAIR Plan The Bamboo DIC policy wraps around it, covering theft, water damage, personal liability, loss of use, and other perils the FAIR Plan excludes.6California Department of Insurance. California FAIR Plan
Each of the two policies carries its own deductible, and homeowners are advised to align dwelling limits across both to avoid gaps.7FBIA. FAIR Plan DIC Wrap Around A FAIR Plan plus DIC combination typically costs more than a single standard homeowners policy with comparable protection.5United Policyholders. The Lowdown From UP on the California FAIR Plan Bamboo also reserves the right to restrict new policy binding during active wildfire emergencies.1MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo DP1 DP3 Program Guidelines
Property Conditions That Can Affect Fire Eligibility
Bamboo’s underwriting guidelines include several property-level requirements tied directly to fire safety. A home that doesn’t meet them is treated as an unacceptable risk:
- A permanently installed, thermostatically controlled main heat source is required. Wood, coal, pellet, or kerosene stoves and space heaters are not acceptable as the primary heating method.
- The dwelling must have 100% copper wiring. Any portion of the electrical system that uses fuses rather than circuit breakers disqualifies the property.
- Local, functioning smoke detectors are required.
- Roofs older than 25 years or in poor condition trigger an endorsement that limits coverage for roof and interior damage to fire or lightning only. Tin, foam, corrugated, and non-cedar wood roofs are not accepted at all.
- Properties that are isolated or inaccessible to firefighting and emergency equipment are ineligible.
- The home must be in good repair, with sound structure and a permanent foundation.
The HO-3 guidelines additionally require a fully functional fire extinguisher in the dwelling.2MyGlobalFirst. Bamboo HO3 Program Guidelines
Filing a Fire Claim With Bamboo
Policyholders can report a fire claim by calling Bamboo at (877) 333-6938 with their policy number ready. The company has acknowledged that high claim volumes can slow processing and said it has expanded its claims team to work through backlogs.8Bamboo Insurance. California Wildfire Steps for Affected Bamboo Policyholders Questions about what a specific policy covers are directed to the customer’s agent.
If you hold a DIC policy paired with a FAIR Plan policy, a fire loss means two separate claims. Fire damage is reported to the FAIR Plan, and damage from any non-fire perils is reported to Bamboo.7FBIA. FAIR Plan DIC Wrap Around Knowing which carrier handles which part of the loss before an emergency happens saves time when it does.
Fire Prevention Through the Ting Sensor Program
Bamboo recommends standard wildfire mitigation steps for policyholders: defensible space between the home and surrounding vegetation, regular clearing of debris from roofs, gutters, and yards, and fire-resistant windows, doors, and landscaping materials.9Bamboo Insurance. Wildfire Preparedness
In 2025, Bamboo partnered with Whisker Labs to supply the “Ting” fire prevention sensor to eligible policyholders at no cost. The plug-in device monitors a home’s electrical system for hidden fire hazards and alerts the homeowner when it detects a risk. At least 5,000 policyholders were slated to receive the sensor along with three years of monitoring and up to $1,000 in repair credits. The program is not available for tenant-occupied properties or for homes carrying a DIC endorsement.10Fintech Global. Bamboo Insurance Launches Fire Prevention Tool With Whisker Labs Ting Sensor If you’ve been placed on the FAIR Plan plus DIC structure, you won’t be eligible for the free sensor through Bamboo.