The California Department of Insurance issued a release yesterday proposing the question whether or not Californians are prepared in the case of wildfire. Steve Poizner, California Insurance Commissioner, advised all local homeowners to proactively prepare for fires and other potential disasters by conducting a home inventory and updating their California home insurance policies.
"Today marks the eve of the one year anniversary of the Station fire, and we learned many lessons from that experience, but none more important than the fact that wildfires can strike and destroy in the blink of an eye, and we have especially seen this happen over and over again in Southern California," said Poizner.
"That's why I want to encourage all homeowners to prepare themselves today for potential wildfires. Waiting for a fire to erupt before conducting a home inventory and reviewing your insurance policy means you could get burned twice - first by the fire then by trying to recover your losses. These are concrete steps all Californians can take today to protect their homes and belongings."
Commissioner Poizner also offered the following tips for conducting a home inventory:
· Using a household digital camera and a Home Inventory Guide from the California Department of Insurance, catalogue your possessions and document their values. Photographs of household goods are especially helpful when an item is difficult to describe on paper, or if a purchase receipt cannot be obtained.
· Label photographs with information about each item.
· If a video recorder is used, commentary about each item should be included.
· A copy of the inventory and supporting documentation, such as receipts and model numbers, should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe-deposit box, work office, or a relative's house.
· These records should also include financial documents such as insurance policies and mortgage information.
Here at Sutherland-Schaffer we are prepared to help you with all your Southern California Fire Insurance needs, and prepare you for such disasters.
"Today marks the eve of the one year anniversary of the Station fire, and we learned many lessons from that experience, but none more important than the fact that wildfires can strike and destroy in the blink of an eye, and we have especially seen this happen over and over again in Southern California," said Poizner.
"That's why I want to encourage all homeowners to prepare themselves today for potential wildfires. Waiting for a fire to erupt before conducting a home inventory and reviewing your insurance policy means you could get burned twice - first by the fire then by trying to recover your losses. These are concrete steps all Californians can take today to protect their homes and belongings."
Commissioner Poizner also offered the following tips for conducting a home inventory:
· Using a household digital camera and a Home Inventory Guide from the California Department of Insurance, catalogue your possessions and document their values. Photographs of household goods are especially helpful when an item is difficult to describe on paper, or if a purchase receipt cannot be obtained.
· Label photographs with information about each item.
· If a video recorder is used, commentary about each item should be included.
· A copy of the inventory and supporting documentation, such as receipts and model numbers, should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe-deposit box, work office, or a relative's house.
· These records should also include financial documents such as insurance policies and mortgage information.
Here at Sutherland-Schaffer we are prepared to help you with all your Southern California Fire Insurance needs, and prepare you for such disasters.
