Fire and water can damage your car, but are you covered?
So far this year 3.1 million acres have been burned up with wildfires according to statistics from the National Interagency Fire Service. Surprisingly, it is less than both 2010 and 2011 in the same period of time.
Insurance paid out losses to insured’s $855 million in 2011 from wildfires alone. Think that it only happens in California or Texas? Think again. Delaware was the only state in 2011 that wasn’t affected by wildfires.
At the writing of this article, the L.A. Times is reporting a mass evacuation in Colorado Springs where the Waldo Canyon fire has raged out of control and had 32.000 evacuated yesterday (June27). That is just one of three major fires burning in Colorado, High Park fire near Fort Collins and the Flagstaff fire approaching Boulder.
Drier winter conditions where less snow fell is being blamed on the dryness of timber and brush with 60 MPH winds fanning the flames to jump and run. The Waldo Canyon fire doubled in less than a twelve-hour period.
From fire to water, we’re now in the hurricane season and have had a few tropical disturbances already. Homes must have a separate flood policy outside of their homeowner’s insurance, but autos can have flood protection and fire protection in the same coverage.
Do you know what coverage replaces or repairs your car from fire or flood?
Comprehensive. Some insurance companies call it “other than collision” for a broader interpretation. Either way, it’s covered for
flood and fire if you have it on your auto policy. Don’t wait for a fire to break out or a storm to brew before calling and adding the coverage. Insurance companies keep a close eye on all weather developments and fire patterns to quickly place moratoriums for all areas anywhere near the problem. If you want till a fire is already defined or a storm is on the way, you won’t get coverage. Your best bet is to take your car and leave.
Don’t wait; get comprehensive coverage today. Some companies will allow you to do comprehensive without collision, often if you have more than one vehicle on your policy. It never hurts to check, and you’d be surprised how cheaply you can add that to your protection.
