Arizona Fire Issues

Homeowners in the southwestern United States have unique issues with homeowner's insurance. Lacking the humidity of the east and south, the hot and arid desert climate often fuels wildfires that consume thousands of acres and, unfortunately, sometimes many homes as well. Texas, California and Arizona wildfires have made the news in recent years and left thousands with rubble where their homes used to be; wildfires have also revamped the way insurance policies are now written.

Confidence in a Provider

When homeowners are shopping for homeowner's insurance, it is vital to select a company that has a good track record in dealing with claims of this type. It can be difficult to differentiate between quotes sometimes, but ArizonaHomeInsuranceQuotes.com has simplified the process by making it easy to compare policies side by side to ensure that prospective policyholders can find exactly the policy to suit their needs. Completing one on-line form will provide at least four quotes from top-rated insurance companies at no charge and with no commitment.

Those who have experienced fires in Arizona are familiar with the unique issues faced by homeowners there. Those who live with the risk of Arizona wildfires face the following issues:

• Keeping a defensible space of 100' around their home that is clear of underbrush and overgrown vegetation. This precaution significantly increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire.

• Replacing wood shingle roofs with non-combustible roofing.

• Not storing combustible materials in or around the home.

• Maintaining emergency supplies as well as an evacuation route for all in the home, including pets; there should also be a backup route in case the primary route is inaccessible.

• Keeping up to date on the latest technology for defending the home against the Arizona wildfires.

• Planning in advance whether they will evacuate in the event of a wildfire, as well as the strategy they will use if they intend to stay and defend their home.

Those who opt to stay and defend their home must carefully weigh the following factors as well as others:

• Their physical ability to fight a fire for an extended period of time.

• Their psychological ability to fight a fire that is threatening their home; fires generate intense heat, smoke and noise as well as stress.

• The defensibility of their home, including its structural composition.

• The availability of adequate fire-fighting equipment.

Two major types of fire insurance for a home are replacement value and cost value. For homes that were built many years ago, cost value will most likely be insufficient to replace the home with one of comparable value. Replacement value insurance may be more expensive initially, but the long-term savings in the event of Arizona wildfires will be more than worth the investment. In addition, it is imperative to ensure that there are no disclaimers for "acts of God" that may apply to Arizona home fires.

The Importance of an Inventory

Additional considerations are temporary living cost provisions, since even homes that survive Arizona home fires may be uninhabitable for days after the danger has passed. Those who own their homes outright may be underinsured or completely uninsured and have no recourse for reimbursement of their losses. Whether it's Arizona wildfires or those in another state, making an inventory of personal possessions, particularly those of high value, will be invaluable in making an accurate insurance claim. Keeping the list up to date is also vital to ensuring an adequate insurance reimbursement.

Remember, preparation is the key to surviving Arizona wildfires; go to ArizonaHomeInsuranceQuotes.com and get started on procuring or updating your homeowner's insurance quote today!