This article brought to you by Sky Forest Inn Event and Retreat Center and Akasha Healing Center
By Scott Limpus
June 3, 2019
This is Part 7 of a twelve-part series on getting ready for the fire season. The San Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) and California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection’s (CalFire) READY! SET! GO! Campaign addresses three key areas that residents should address before a fire starts.
To get ready, in Part 1 of this series we discussed creating a defensible space around our homes. In Part 2, we looked at the steps needed to harden your home. In Part 3, we learned about some of the vegetation that homeowners can plant that will make their property more fire resistant.
To get set, we reviewed how to prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of having to evacuate. In Part 4 we talked about how to create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for your home, family, and pets. In Part 5, we shared how to assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person in your household. In Part 6, we filled out a Family Communication Plan that includes important evacuation and contact information. In Part 7, we will see what should be done to be financially prepared for a wildfire.
PROTECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU—GET YOUR FINANCES AND PROPERTY READY FOR WILDFIRES
A home is generally your largest asset. Protect it. Insurance is the critical back-up plan enabling you to rebuild your home after a wildfire. Federal catastrophe grants are not enough to rebuild a home. Make sure your family’s financial safety net is in place, in case disaster strikes. Follow these tips as part of your Ready, Set, GO! wildfire preparedness plan:
Tips 1: Conduct an Annual Insurance Check Up
Call your agent or insurance company annually to discuss your policy limits and coverage. Make sure your policy reflects the correct square footage and features in your home. Consider purchasing building code upgrade coverage.
Tips 2: Know What Your Policy Covers
The details matter. Understand if you have a replacement cost policy that pays to replace all your items at current market price or an actual cash value policy that takes depreciation into account and pays less for aged items.
Tips 3: Update Your Policy to Cover Home Improvements
If you make home improvements, be sure to call your agent or company to update your coverage. Make sure your insurer knows about the changes, so the new countertops, floors or room are covered if you must rebuild.
Tips 4: Maintain Insurance
If your home is paid off, be sure to maintain homeowner insurance. Without insurance, do you have the money to rebuild your home? Check with loved ones whose homes are paid off to be sure they continue to carry homeowner insurance.
Tips 5: Get Renters Insurance
Renters can lose everything in a fire and be left to start over. Many insurers bundle renters insurance coverage with an auto insurance policy at affordable prices.
MAKE A HOME INVENTORY
Recovery is easier if you have an accurate home inventory. Document the contents of your home before a fire occurs. Use your smartphone to video your belongings. Keep your inventory & photos outside home or in the cloud.
Tip 1:
Video or photograph each room of your home. Remember to document drawers and closets.
Tip 2:
Describe your home’s contents in your video. Mention the price you paid, where and when you bought the item.
Tip 3:
Remember to note important or expensive items. Video your electronics, appliances, sports equipment, TVs, computers, tablets.
Tip 4:
Save receipts for major purchases. Store key documents in the cloud or fireproof case. Keep home inventory offsite or in the cloud.
Tip 5:
Video the Garage. Don’t forget to video or photograph what is inside your garage.
In the next article, we will discuss the next step in the READY SET GO! Campaign, the first of 5 steps to evacuate from a wildfire.
