It’s Always Fire Season for California Home Insurance Carriers
Fires season is year-round in California! Here are some tips to remember so you don’t end up with a California home insurance claim:
First of all, create a defensible space around your property. This reduces the risk that fire will spread from the surroundings to the structure. 30 feet clearance around the home is required by law. However, insurance companies and cities may require an additional 50-70 feet to increase the Reduced Fuel Zone. These increased distances would depend on the steepness of your property and the surrounding vegetation. [During a fire, firefighters sometimes do not attempt protecting structures without adequate defensible space because it hampers the safety of their teams and their effort is less likely to succeed.]
Creating a Defensible Space:
1. Remove all buildup of needles and leaves from roof and gutters.
2. Keep tree limbs cut back 10 feet from chimneys and remove dry limbs overhanging the home and garage.
3. A screen over your chimney outlet of not more than ½ inch mesh is required by law.
4. To find out more details go to www.fire.ca.gov
Second, in case of a fire it’s helpful to have a household inventory. Use a digital camera to photograph rooms and contents. Then take a few minutes to catalogue your possessions and give them a value. If you choose to use a video camera, comment as you go along with as many details describing the item(s) as you can remember. Duplicate and store this inventory in different places, including at least one copy away from the home. A free Home Inventory Guide is available online.
Now is a good time to review your homeowners’ insurance policy with your agent to assure that you have sufficient coverage for your home and personal belongings. To obtain the proper fire coverage on your California home insurance policy, contact your agent or give Remland Insurance a call at 714) 532-3341
