This story offers options for fire and natural disaster home insurance in light of the California wildfires of 2007. Safety and prevention tips are also included.
“It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you have to.”
Allstate spokesperson Kate Hollcraft made this statement about fire insurance after the wildfires in California. She said they have caused people all over the country to consider whether or not they are prepared for the natural disasters that could occur in their regions.
“I’m sure fire insurance is more top-of-mind for (people who live in desert areas),” Hollcraft said. “A wildfire is one thing, but if you are a renter, you have no idea if your neighbor left the coffeepot on that morning. You don’t want to look back and say, ‘Gosh, if only I’d had renters’ insurance.’ Everyone’s at risk, whether it’s a forest fire or human error.”
Hollcraft said most renters’ insurance costs about the same as one pizza delivery a month. Most homeowners’ insurance plans provide for fire damage. She recommends that buyers work with their agents to determine how much coverage they need.
“If you have a wedding ring that is really valuable, there is a specific policy on that wedding ring in your homeowners’ insurance,” she said. “People may ask, ‘Why is this important? What does it really mean?’ It means that if your wedding ring burns in a fire, you get it back.”
It is important to consider more than the value of the home when purchasing a fire insurance policy.
“If you own a $150,000 home and you just cover the cost of the structure, the cost to rebuild could easily be more than that,” Hollcraft said.
Her estimates include everything from the actual cost to rebuild the home to possessions like jewelry or flatware. She encourages both renters and owners to do inventories of the items in their homes.
“As we go through the claims process, we ask questions like, ‘How many dishes did you have?’ Take a video camera or a digital camera and take photos of everything in your home. Put them in a lock box or somewhere safe for your own peace of mind,” Hollcraft said.
Tully Lehman, insurance information spokesperson with the Insurance Information Network of California, said firefighters there are “conducting triage” to cope with the current wildfires.
“Give firefighters a chance to consider your house something worth saving,” he said. “You can do that by creating defensible space, that is, by clearing away all the brush and flammable materials in the area around your house. People get out into these natural areas because they love the view and the risk of living with wildfires is a risk they’re willing to take.”
Hollcraft offered the following fire safety and prevention tips:
Check your smoke detectors monthly, and replace any that are 10 years old or older. Place one on every level of your home and near areas where you and your family sleep.
Have your oil burner checked regularly by a professional.
Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.
Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home.
Create a fire safety plan with designated meeting places. Designate two exits from the building. If one should be blocked, you’ll have another one to use.
If the home’s rooms and hallways are filled with smoke, get down close to the floor and crawl to the nearest exit. You’ll breathe in less smoke if you stay low.
If you have a pet, have a plan for taking the pet with you.
If you live in a high-rise building and do not have a fire escape, feel the doorways with the back of your hand. If they are hot, put a wet towel along the floor crack to keep the smoke out. Go to the window and wave a colorful cloth to catch the attention of firefighters.
