wildfire

Wildfire threat remains high, prevention key to surviving it

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Wildfire threat remains high, prevention key to surviving it

Continued dry and warm conditions in many western and southern states are expected to bring another severe wildfire season for 2013. Because of this, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety is urging home and business owners to take action now to effectively reduce their wildfire risk. “Wildfire losses have been on the rise during the past couple of years in several states, with Colorado, Texas and Wyoming being particularly hard hit,” Julie Rochman,…

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Cooking remains a major cause of fire accidents

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Cooking remains a major cause of fire accidents

Whether it’s a boiling over deep fryer or a damaged electrical cord, cooking-related fires remain a top cause of unexpected blazes in the home. According to a recent report from the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 371,700 home structure fires annually between 2006 and 2010. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,590 civilian deaths and $7.2 billion in direct property damage each year. Based on research by…

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Fall is a good time to proof the home against forest fires

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Fall is a good time to proof the home against forest fires

Even though the summer heat is gone, the threat of wildfires still exists in the fall, which is a good time to prepare the home against future risks. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety encourages residents in wildfire-prone areas to prepare their property for the fall wildfire season during Fire Prevention Week (October 7 – 13). “The autumn months are an ideal time to tackle outdoor projects before colder winter temperatures set in,” Julie…

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Thousands of homes at high risk for wildfire damage

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Thousands of homes at high risk for wildfire damage

More than 740,000 homes in 13 states are at a high or very high risk of wildfire damage, representing a total property value estimated at $136 billion, according to a study by research firm CoreLogic. Just less than 168,000 homes fell into the Very High Risk category alone, with a projected aggregated value of more than $32 billion. The report was developed to provide the insurance industry, financial services companies, homeowners and others impacted by wildfire…

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Be prepared to evacuate when threatened by wildfires

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Be prepared to evacuate when threatened by wildfires

Anyone threatened by an encroaching wildfire should heed the warnings of local and state officials and head to safety when asked to evacuate, according to the Association of California Insurance Companies. Once evacuated to a safe location, residents should save receipts for expenses and contact their insurance companies through their toll free claims numbers as soon as possible to begin receiving assistance if their home is damaged, according to the “Being evacuated from your home because…

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Adjusters offer advice on recovering from wildfires

By Consumer Insurance Guide Staff
Adjusters offer advice on recovering from wildfires

As wildfires rage across the western states of South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, many families and businesses will soon be coping with how to rebuild in the aftermath. Fires are always stressful events but for people whose homes or businesses are damaged or destroyed, they can be traumatic. Members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters have offered the following tips to property owners who are filing insurance claims for…

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