Wildfires have become an increasingly common occurrence. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the number of wildfires in the western United States has doubled since 1984. Projections show the rate of these fires will only increase, which will leave a significant wake of destruction in their paths.
When you think of wildfires, if you live in the United States, you probably immediately think of California. The devastation wildfires cause to the state are no small issue. In 2020, there were over 8,000 fires and more than 1.4 million acres burned in California alone, according to the Wildfire Activity Statistics Report. However, though California experiences the largest number of wildfires, they can occur anywhere in the United States.
Fires are not uncommon in any area where the soil is dry or where trees are prevalent. The National Interagency Fire Center shows that more than 200 fires have destroyed more than 100,000 acres of land each in this century alone. Along with California, those devastating fires have occurred in Alaska, Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Utah, Washington, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida. That is not to mention the number of smaller fires that occur throughout the United States.
You will not be able to combat the spread of wildfires on your own. Climate change has been the primary contributor to the increase of forest fires due to the waning amount of moisture in soil, trees and shrubs. This is a broad issue that requires a collective change among societies and governments. However, you are not completely powerless. Though you can’t control wildfires, you can control your own protection against them.
Property insurance that protects against wildfires is becoming increasingly difficult to find in areas that are prone to fires. A homeowner’s policy often includes fire coverage. However, it may have an exclusion against wildfires. Homeowners in areas that are often affected by wildfires, particularly the western United States, may find their premiums increase while their coverage decreases. That increases the importance of a supplemental wildfire policy.
Those agencies that specialize in wildfire policies often provide preventative services along with policy payouts in case of damage. They will deploy a mitigation team to your property to help remove debris that may fuel the fire. They will also remove any combustible items and apply a fire retardant gel. Though this does not eliminate the risk of fire, it does greatly reduce the chances of property being destroyed.
If you live in an area that often experiences wildfires, double-check your homeowner’s policy to make certain you have adequate coverage. If not, talk to your broker or look elsewhere for a policy that will help if your property is damaged by fire. In the meantime, mitigate the fire as much as possible. Keep highly flammable materials, including certain landscaping and propane grills, as far away from your home as is reasonable. Aldo, conduct regular sweeps to remove debris like fallen leaves and dead grass. These measures won’t keep a wildfire away, but they may help damage to be less severe and to spread with less speed.
Private Management Insurance Agency is highly willing to offer whatever assistance you may need at each step of the quoting and transaction process. You can reach our customer service team on Monday through Friday from 9 am-5 pm PST— Call us at (858) 252-4111, or you can also set a schedule with us just by clicking here:
