El Dorado County Homeowners' Insurance Dropped Due To Wildfire Risk
EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) — El Dorado County homeowners say their insurance company won't renew their policy because they live in an area threatened by wildfire.
Patti Weber and her wife, Lisa, have had the same insurance company for eight years, and they were shocked when they got a letter saying their home would no longer be covered.
It's easy to see why they live in such a beautiful area, with open space, free-roaming animals, and a quietly babbling stream steps from their door.
But Patti knows living in the foothills brings a risk each fire season.
"The reality is nature is going to do what nature wants to do," she said. "Clear out all the brush, bring all the trees up and do everything we can do to be safe."
Patti did all of that, but still got a letter last week from her insurance company saying their policy wouldn't be renewed because of a high fire risk.
Nancy Kincaid with the state's insurance department says companies can decline fire coverage, despite homeowners clearing plenty of defensible space.
"You could see where an insurer could be tapped, and we did see that in Northridge, where a couple of insurers were very close to being insolvent because they had so many claims," she said. "There business was concentrated right where the earthquake hit."
Kincaid says Patti shouldn't worry as there are plenty of willing companies out there.
"It's important to know that it's a competitive market," she said. "There are lots of companies that are writing in california, that are writing in all of the areas, the message is to shop."
Patti isn't mad, but she wishes her insurance company would take the time to come out and see how she's worked to keep their place safe from the fire threat.
"I'm happy to pay my bill, and I would just love that same kind of personal touch with the insurance company, I think they can do better," she said.
The state offers the California FAIR Plan for people who have repeatedly been denied coverage.