Insurance Harder to Find in Fire-Affected Areas of Washington State
Some property insurers are not selling policies in wildfire-affected areas, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler pointed out in a Sept. 13 blog post.
Some property insurers are not selling policies in wildfire-affected areas, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler pointed out in a Sept. 13 blog post. His post on the official blog of the Washington state Insurance Commissioner's office said some property insurers have temporarily stopped selling insurance in areas affected by the Eagle Creek, Norse Peak, and Jolly Mountain fires in the state.
"If you are in the process of buying real estate or if your homeowner insurance policy is up for renewal, you may have a hard time finding a policy," he explained, recommending that residents facing this contact their agent or broker and ask what their options are.
"If you need a policy and don't have one, shop around," he wrote. "Consumers also have access to the property insurer of last resort in our state, called the Washington Fair Plan. The plan offers basic property insurance to consumer who are unable to obtain insurance in the standard insurance market. Consumers have to obtain coverage through a licensed insurance agent or broker, and you can work with whomever you choose. If your company won't offer you coverage, your agent can help you get coverage through the Fair Plan.
His post links to guidance for finding a licensed insurance agent and frequently asked questions about the Fair Plan.
"Even if you maintain insurance coverage on your home, you should learn about ways to decrease your risk of losing your home to fire," he wrote, listing several resources to assist in this.