On: Did insurance fire brigades let uninsured building...

[mook]

These costs still exist in a hypothetical year with zero fires, though. Additionally, people whose house were just on fire with zero insurance are probably not in a good financial position (anymore), and they are unlikely to be able to pay…

[s1artibartfast → mook]

Your first problem is trivial cuz you can look at a multi-year average.

The second part is more significant in people simply don't have the money to pay.

[dantheman → mook]

If you don't have the money, then a lien is placed on the property and it will be sold to pay the debt. Or you can take out a mortgage to buy it. In any case you'll be richer than if the house is burned down.

[s1artibartfast → dantheman]

Ability to pay still not guaranteed, depending on the financial situation. Family can easily have more that's than assets to their name, preventing collection.

[Dylan16807 → s1artibartfast]

You can prioritize firefighter debt over other liens.

And it doesn't have to be guaranteed if it works 90% of the time.