My house burned down in the California wildfires. I lost a collection of 50 firearms and 20,000 rounds of ammunition. The fire department report noted “explosions” (ammo cooking off). My insurance adjuster tried to deny the entire dwelling claim, citing the “Hazardous Materials” or “Pollution” exclusion due to the lead and primer chemicals contaminating the site.
Key Takeaways
- Ammo isn’t “Explosives”: SAAMI classifies small arms ammo as “Class 1.4S” (low hazard). It burns; it doesn’t detonate like TNT. You must fight any adjuster who claims you were storing “illegal explosives.”
- The Lead/Pollution Trap: If the fire melts 500 lbs of lead bullets, the cleanup is considered “Hazmat.” Standard policies cap “Pollutant Cleanup” at $10,000. Real cleanup costs could be $50,000.
- Sub-limits on Guns: Standard policies cap firearms theft at $2,500, but often cover fire damage up to the full contents limit. However, you need proof of ownership (inventory).
- “Increase in Hazard”: If you stored 100 lbs of gunpowder (reloading supplies) in the basement, the insurer could void the policy for “increasing the hazard” without notifying them.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Hoarding Hazards.”
Storing 100 rounds is normal. Storing 50,000 rounds and 50 lbs of Black Powder is considered a “Material Change in Risk.” If you didn’t tell the insurer, they argue they wouldn’t have written the policy.
The Investigation (I Talked to Fire Investigators)
- Reality: “Ammo cooking off sounds like popcorn. It doesn’t blow the roof off. But the lead contamination is real.”
- Insurers: Eastern Insurance (Historic Firearms) allows large collections. They understand the risk. Standard State Farm might freak out.
Comparison Table
| Storage Amount | Insurability | Action Needed |
| < 1,000 Rounds | Standard | None |
| > 10,000 Rounds | Elevated Risk | Proper Storage (Ammo Cans) |
| Bulk Black Powder | High Risk | Notify Insurer / NFPA Storage |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Digital Inventory: You need a spreadsheet with serial numbers and photos stored in the Cloud. After a fire, the guns are melted slag. You can’t identify them.
- [IMAGE: Screenshot of a Google Sheet inventory with columns for Make, Model, Serial, Value]
- Separate the Powder: Store reloading powder in a wooden (1-inch thick) box as per NFPA guidelines, not a steel safe (which becomes a bomb).
- Schedule the Collection: If you have >$5k in guns, move them to a “Personal Articles Floater” or a specific “Gun & Trophy” policy.
FAQ
Does the fire department charge me for the ‘Danger’?
Sometimes. If they deem your storage negligent, the city can bill you for the Hazmat response.
Does a fireproof safe work?
For about 30-60 minutes. In a total loss wildfire, the safe becomes an oven. The guns will be “steamed” or charred.