Insurance Woes
Fire insurance has been a hot topic for a while in San Diego, especially with many insurance companies suspending writing new policies or simply not renewing in high-risk areas (which almost all of San Diego County is considered to be “high risk”). CA’s Insurance Commissioner, has written a plan called the “Sustainable Insurance Strategy” aimed at enhancing insurance options, and safeguarding California’s from climate-related threats. This plan (or some type of reform) is desperately needed as more and more residents are relying on the FAIR Plan; which was intended as a last resort insurer (if you’ve seen the rates, you know why they are considered a “last-resort”).
While we wait to see how this new plan unfolds, there are many steps you can take to ensure your home is as “fire-proof” as possible and appease your insurance company if they come out for a property assessment:
1. Create a defensible space around your home (no combustible material within 5 feet of your home)
2. Fire harden your home. Windows should be dual pane, roofing should be metal, clay, or tile (no wood shake or shingles), chimneys should have appropriate spark arresters, and all combustible/flammable liquids should be stored away from ignition sources
3. Consider your landscaping and if your plants are “fire smart”. Be cautious of plants labeled “firesafe” since all plants will burn under the right conditions. It’s more important to determine if your plants are adding risk. For example, does the plant contain a lot of waxes or oils? Does it shed bark? How tall will the plant grow? Plants such as Eucalyptus trees can pose a very high risk; the bark catches fire easily, and the loose strips tend to carry fire up into the canopy which can cast embers outward.
The County of San Diego has put together some great resources on how to best harden your home and create an adequate defensible space on your property. For additional information, please click here.
To see if your home fits the recommendations for retrofitting your home to withstand wildfire, please download the Cal Fire “Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide” here.
