insurance against fire

INSURANCE AGAINST FIRE. A contract by which the insurer, in consequence of a 
certain premium received by him, either in a gross sum or by annual 
*payments, undertakes to indemnify the insured against all loss or damage 
which he may sustain to a certain amount, in his house or other buildings, 
stock, goods, or merchandise, mentioned in the policy, by fire, during the 
time agreed upon. 2 Marsh. Ins. B. 4, p. 784; 1 Stuart's L. C. R. 174; Park. 
Ins. c. 23, p., 441. 
     2. The risks and losses insured against, are "all losses or damage by 
fire," during the time of the policy, to the houses or things insured. 
     3.-1. There must be an actual fire or ignition to entitle the insured 
to recover; it is not sufficient that there has been a great and injurious 
increase of heat, while nothing has taken fire, which ought not to be on 
fire. 4 Campb. R. 360. 
     4.-2. The loss must be within the policy, that is, within the time 
insured. 5 T. R. 695; 1 Bos. & P. 470; 6 East, R. 571. 
     5.-3. The insurers are liable not only for loss by burning, but for 
all damages and injuries, and reasonable charges attending the removal of 
articles though never touched by the fire. 1 Bell's Com. 626, 7, 5th ed. 
     6. Generally there is an exception in the policy, as to fire occasioned 
"by invasion, foreign enemy, or any military, or usurped power whatsoever," 
and in some there is a further exception of riot, tumult, or civil 
commotion. For the Construction of these provisoes, see the articles Civil 
Commotion and Usurped Power.