Bharat Griha Raksha Policy is a standardised fire policy introduced by the IRDAI to ensure uniform and comprehensive protection for residential properties. This policy protects homeowners and occupants against physical loss or damage to their home building and household contents caused by a defined set of insured perils.

This section explains the core coverages provided under a standard home fire insurance policy.

Cover for Home Building

The policy covers physical loss, damage, or destruction of the insured home building arising from insured events occurring during the policy period. This includes:

• The main residential structure
• Foundations, plinth, walls, floors, and roof
• Doors, windows, grills, and fixed fittings
• Permanent fixtures such as electrical wiring, plumbing, pipelines, and built-in cupboards
• Garages and domestic outbuildings forming part of the residential premises

If any of these suffer damage due to an insured peril, the policy responds by paying the cost of repair, reinstatement, or reconstruction, subject to the sum insured and policy conditions.

Insured perils for Home Building

The Bharat Griha Raksha Policy covers loss or damage caused by the following perils:

• Fire, including accidental ignition, self-combustion, or fire due to heat
• Explosion or Implosion
• Lightning
• Earthquake, volcanic eruption, and other convulsions of nature (including fire and shock damage)
• Storm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado, and other severe atmospheric disturbances
• Flood, Inundation, Tsunami, and water damage from overflowing natural water sources
• Subsidence of land, Landslide, and Rockslide
• Bush fire, forest fire, and jungle fire
• Impact damage caused by external objects such as vehicles, aircraft, falling trees, or collapsing neighbouring structures
• Riot, Strike, and Malicious Damage
• Theft, but only when it occurs as a direct consequence of an insured peril and within the specified time limit mentioned in the policy

These perils together form the backbone of protection under a home fire insurance policy, addressing both natural and man-made risks.

Cover for Home Contents

The policy also covers household contents kept within the insured home premises for personal use. Home contents typically include:

• Furniture, furnishings, and fixtures
• Electrical and electronic appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air-conditioners
• Kitchen equipment, crockery, and utensils
• Home electronics, communication devices, and domestic equipment
• Other household goods ordinarily found in a residence

Loss or damage to these items caused by the same insured perils applicable to the building is covered under the policy, subject to limits and conditions. This ensures that not only the structure of your home but also the essentials inside it are financially protected.

Loss of Rent and Rent for alternative accommodation

If the insured home becomes partially or completely uninhabitable due to physical damage caused by an insured peril, the policy provides additional financial relief in the form of:

• Loss of Rent: If the insured is a landlord, compensation is paid for rental income lost because the premises cannot be occupied by tenants.
• Rent for Alternative Accommodation: If the insured occupies the home, the policy reimburses reasonable rent expenses for temporary accommodation while the home is being repaired or rebuilt.

These benefits apply only when the uninhabitability is directly caused by an insured event and are payable for the period stated in the policy.

Policy Duration

Home fire insurance under the Bharat Griha Raksha framework can be taken for short-term or long-term durations, depending on the insurer’s offerings. Policies are commonly available for:

• One-year terms, requiring annual renewal
• Long-term policies, extending up to 10 years, offering continuity of cover and protection against missed renewals

Note: The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is intended to serve as an illustrative guide. Specific document requirements, notification time frames, and procedural details may vary significantly between different insurers and policies. This summary is not intended to be comprehensive or a substitute for the actual policy wording. For precise and up-to-date information, please refer to your insurer’s official policy documents or contact them directly.