West Coast Smoke, UGH!

[Jim Nelson]

We had our fire insurance cancelled last year. I asked our Farmers agent what the deal was and he told me that he had lost several customers for the same reason. He told me that some insurance underwriters group or something like that ,based back East, used out dated satellite photos to decide and that there was no rhyme or reason to their cancellations. All of the properties in our area are pretty much the same exposure wise because of the high number of trees, which he said the co. bases their findings on.

He also told me that he was working with his regional representative to try to set up a system where an inspector would visit each property insured and evaluate the fire risk documented with drone footage and photos. This would make more sense than some desk jockey back East, who has never been within a thousand miles of here making a decision based on decade old sat. photos.

Meanwhile we got new fire insurance from a different company which, of course is more expensive.

 

[dragoneggs]

Smoke is back... the reprieve was a blessing.

Fires back with a vengeance North Bay and right now it is like being down wind of a camp fire...

Really gets in your throat and very noticable in the Hospital... No idea on visibility as it is still dark.

I saw that... wife and I were thinking of a quick trip to Napa this week but that is postponed again.

 

[Molalla1]

Well - those who live in this area know where Amber is or was. Been here 38+ years and about three new residents within a six mile radius. It's the rural zoning that has saved us out here. Minimum lot size is 20 acres. Developers can't realize a profit from this lot size and neither can the large land owners.

Within the city limits of Cheney - it's a bloody nightmare. Everything is going to LARGE multi unit apartment complexes.

Pretty much the same here oosik . . . :thumbsup:

 

[Molalla1]

We had our fire insurance cancelled last year. I asked our Farmers agent what the deal was and he told me that he had lost several customers for the same reason. He told me that some insurance underwriters group or something like that ,based back East, used out dated satellite photos to decide and that there was no rhyme or reason to their cancellations. All of the properties in our area are pretty much the same exposure wise because of the high number of trees, which he said the co. bases their findings on.

He also told me that he was working with his regional representative to try to set up a system where an inspector would visit each property insured and evaluate the fire risk documented with drone footage and photos. This would make more sense than some desk jockey back East, who has never been within a thousand miles of here making a decision based on decade old sat. photos.

Meanwhile we got new fire insurance from a different company which, of course is more expensive.

My agent called and praised us for the work we did fire breaks etc. most have the same insurance out this way.

 

[California]

Smoke is back... the reprieve was a blessing.

Fires back with a vengeance North Bay and right now it is like being down wind of a camp fire...

Really gets in your throat and very noticeable in the Hospital... No idea on visibility as it is still dark.

Here an hour north of SF, ash is falling like light snow.

After sunrise this morning, light levels came up gradually but the smoke was so thick it was impossible to find the sun in the sky. Finally at 30 degrees above the horizon, above some of the smoke, it was a vague red blob.

Evacuation areas east of Santa Rosa keep getting expanded as the 'Shady' fire progresses westward. We're 10 miles west of that so no risk but with this smoke we're going to abandon the ranch and go back to our home in the Central Valley where smoke is lighter. Sure glad I got a couple more air purifiers recently. Indoor air isn't bad, just slight throat irritation. Welcome to the 'new normal' as climate change accelerates.

 

[oosik]

Another crystal clear day with no signs of any wildfires. The prevailing winds are out of the NE and are unusually cold for this time of year. Gladly take the colder WX and no smoke, etc.

 

[ultrarunner]

We had our fire insurance cancelled last year. I asked our Farmers agent what the deal was and he told me that he had lost several customers for the same reason. He told me that some insurance underwriters group or something like that ,based back East, used out dated satellite photos to decide and that there was no rhyme or reason to their cancellations. All of the properties in our area are pretty much the same exposure wise because of the high number of trees, which he said the co. bases their findings on.

He also told me that he was working with his regional representative to try to set up a system where an inspector would visit each property insured and evaluate the fire risk documented with drone footage and photos. This would make more sense than some desk jockey back East, who has never been within a thousand miles of here making a decision based on decade old sat. photos.

Meanwhile we got new fire insurance from a different company which, of course is more expensive.

Yep... I was done in by algorithm... the replacement had lined up just as fires broke out was no longer available....

Part of me wants to be mortgage free and the heck with insurance...

 

[ovrszd]

I had a catastrophic shop fire ten years ago. $193,000 claim. I'll never be without insurance. Has nothing to do with the debt against it for me. We gladly pay our insurance premiums.

 

[ultrarunner]

Friends with shop, home on 15 acres are uninsurable...

They had to go to Lloyds of London for the last 3 years and non renewed this year..

Thier 2200 square feet home is now over 11k for California Fair Plan meager Fire only and separate policy for Liability... who knows next year after after the smoke clears what premium will be... No loss history with 14 year history.

Many tractor properties can ONLY get fire through California Fair Plan.

The situation is again dire with 68,000 evacuated in Sonoma.

Off topic but I routinely beat contactor bids by half running the job myself and often better materials used...

My grandfather's business in the 60's and 70's in East Oakland CA could not get Fire Insurance until Fair Plan...

Maybe it is just different here... My collector vehicles are worth more than my home and fully insured with zero deductible for $1200 premium.

Just my ramblings....

 

[grsthegreat]

Yep... I was done in by algorithm... the replacement had lined up just as fires broke out was no longer available....

Part of me wants to be mortgage free and the heck with insurance...

well, im mortgage free..actually debt free, but i still have insurance. too chicken to try without it.