Wildfire Response Program

[Warlock1]

I received a letter in the mail this last week from Safeco telling me that they have created a partnership with Chioeta (third party vendor) to provide a wildfire benefits program.

Basically if I don't opt out they can come onto my property unannounced at any time to determine my risk level.

Also they can at any time do the following:
Remove pine needles and leaves from gutters.
Remove flammable vegetation and items from around my home.
Deploy a temporary sprinkler system. to protect my home.
Updating me regarding the status of my property and actions being taken to protect it.
Applying a water based gel or firefighting foam to my home.
Returning any combustible items moved and washing any fire gel or firefighting foam away after the event.

None of these things really apply to my house. We do live in the desert but I have a road in front of me and behind me with houses surrounding the area. I'm on 3/4 of an acre so there is distance between the houses. Essentially we are two small residential islands, separated by a country road, surrounded by desert.

I have the option to opt out and it clearly states that my insurance is still in full effect if I choose to do so. I'm going to have to give this some thought.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Well for starters that sure isn’t a free service. Someone’s getting the bill and it’s probably you.

If you are low risk I’d opt out. Sounds like you are low risk.

 

[Taboma]

A couple of years ago we received a similar letter from State Farm.
I don't recall an opt out.
Basically just stated similarly to this, that if our home is under threat from an approaching wildfire, they can dispatch a private company to provide similar mitigation to protection.

Having lost our home to a wildfire in '07, sounded like a great idea to me.
This being similar to a fire I recall up in the Westlake area and private companies were providing this service to the wealthy clients.
In fact following the fire I remember much bitching and whining from their neighbors that fire fighters weren't as proactive with their homes and the explanation that these were privateers working for the home owner (Or possibly their insurance company ?).

This idea of these privatized fire protection companies seems to be gaining in popularity with insurance companies covering homes in areas they consider or some map has included you in a higher risk category.
I watched helo coverage of private fire crews moving patio furniture and setting up a pool pump with a large sprinkler spraying the bank behind this extremely expensive home.
Like most (But unfortunately, not all) my neighbors, we're very proactive with fire mitigation maintenance.

Seems the insurance companies have calculated that paying for a protection service is cheaper than rebuilding million dollar homes.

Chloeta Wildfire Response Benefit

Safeco Insurance is partnering with Chloeta to offer a wildfire response benefit to protect California homeowner and Landlord Protection® properties threatened by active wildfires.

www.safeco.com

 

[throttle]

Is there any history of wildfires in your area, look back maybe over the course of a century. This could help in your decision making.

 

[4Waters]

Is there any history of wildfires in your area, look back maybe over the course of a century. This could help in your decision making.

^^^^This is coming from someone in the business

 

[BabyRay]

When our (former) vacation home had an approaching wildfire, I contacted our insurance company, and signed up for their fire protection service. At the next level of warning, they would have gone in and sprayed down the house with a retardant, and I think there were other mitigation measures. It was at no charge, and it included repairing any damage to finishes caused by the retardant. Fortunately, it never reached the next level, so we didn’t test their service or their promise of repairs.