What is the policyholder's right regarding property in a fire insurance policy?

In fire insurance policies, the policyholder generally does not have the right to abandon property to the insurance company. This principle is rooted in the contract nature of insurance, where both parties have specific rights and obligations.

When a loss occurs, the insured must mitigate further loss and cannot simply relinquish the damaged property to the insurer without prior arrangements or agreements. Abandonment implies that the insurer would take on full responsibility for the property that may not be recoverable, which goes against the fundamental principles of insurance contracts.

The policyholder retains ownership and the obligation to handle damaged property appropriately after a loss occurs, which reinforces the contractual relationship where the insurer compensates the insured for the loss while the insured maintains a degree of responsibility for the property. Therefore, the assertion that the policyholder is not entitled to abandon property reflects the contractual nature of insurance—and aligns with industry practices designed to ensure fairness and accountability for both parties involved.