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Denial of claim due to marijuana grow?

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What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Let's say there's a fire in a rental duplex. One of the tenants is legally (by state and local law) growing marijuana which entails large grow lights and fans drawing high wattage. Whether or not the fire is proven to be caused by the grow operation, could this affect the claim being paid?

The policy of course has restrictions regarding illegal activities on the premises. Federally, growing marijuana is illegal. If anyone has any thoughts to share, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
 


uswcdh44

Member
Without knowing all the facts... It usually depends on who is doing the growing and whether or not they had the permission of the owner. If the owner of the duplex is growing, and the operation starts a fire, then it is possible, depending on your policy, that there would be no coverage.

If a renter is growing, (depending on your policy) and the owner had no knowledge of it, then a fire is a fire, and the insurance should cover it.

for example, Vandalism is illegal. Insurance covers this, on most policies. Most polices will cover this type of damage, but will not pay for the damaged marijuana itself, again, depending on the wording of the policy. (some say illegal, some say illegal by state or federal, etc.)

usually, fire is fire, no matter the cause. usually, if illegal activity caused the fire, the fire is covered, the llegal activity/substance is not.
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
I'll bet the policy excludes claims brought about by acts that are illegal under local, state OR FEDERAL law. :rolleyes:
 

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