Dept. of Insurance warns damage from fireworks may not be covered

Even though many Independence Day celebrations have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of fireworks in communities across the state is tradition to celebrate the holiday. The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renters insurance policies.

Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renters policy.

“It’s important for Hoosiers to consider the consequences before using fireworks,” said IDOI Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson. “If someone using fireworks accidentally starts a fire, to their own property or that of their neighbors, they may not be able to turn to their insurance company for coverage.”

In 2018, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Annual Fireworks Report, 62 percent of all reported firework injuries occurred from June 22-July 22. There were an estimated 9,100 fireworks injuries treated at hospital emergency departments nationwide in 2018 – 36 percent of fireworks injuries were to children younger than 15 years old. About 45 percent of fireworks injuries were burns.

The following are laws governing fireworks in the Hoosier state, and many towns and cities have additional ordinances that Hoosiers must follow:

-- On the user's personal property.

-- On the property of someone who has consented to the use of fireworks on that property.

-- A location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks.