Southern California Insurance Companies Looking for Ways to Vacate

I recently received notice that my Farmers Insurance policy would be canceled in early March. I was semi-expecting this because several people I know lost their apartment insurance two years ago and Farmers had attempted to cancel me last year.

I've been with them almost fifteen years and have yet to file a claim on anything.

I'm reasonably sure that the recent fires in southern California have made them as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs.

You know how the insurance business works. They collect your money year after year with no participation on their part. But once there's a slight indication that they may have to pay, they no longer want to play. It's "taxation without representation" in the truest form.

But I have to admit that it makes me a little nervous. If you remember current history, the residents of Paradise, CA: Lahaina, Maui (HI); and Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles), CA all had their insurance cancelled right before disaster struck. Do the insurance companies know something?

The thing that irks me the most is that they came up with the most asinine reason to cancel me. You better have a seat before I tell you this.

I am being cancelled because my fence touches my house!

I was told that my fence has to be a five-foot distance from my house.

"The 5-foot noncombustible zone extends around all covered porches and wooden decks, measuring from the outermost structural post. 

Remove wood, vinyl, or composite fencing from the 5-foot noncombustible zone. Noncombustible fencing and gates such as masonry or metal are acceptable. Fire retardant products are not allowed." 

How do you keep the dogs inside your backyard without your fence touching your home?

I can pull down my wood fence and install masonry walls. Or the insurance agency secretary recommended I put up chain-link fencing. That's a great look for my home.

The bottom half of my fencing is already masonry so if I had to, I would probably go the masonry route. But that would cost thousands of dollars and they'd most likely come up with a new reason to cancel me next year.

Here are some other things that they have waiting in the wings:

Remove all plants, grass, artificial turf, mulch, trees, overhanging branches, cactus, “fire-resistant plants” and all other combustible items from within 5-feet of the exterior of the house. 

Acceptable ground covers include bare dirt, DG, rock, pavers, bricks, concrete, and any other noncombustible hardscape material. 

All furniture and items under covered porches or pergolas must be noncombustible. Store any cushions inside on elevated fire risk days." 

After I hack down all the plants, change the ground cover to concrete and remove all my patio furniture because it might be considered combustible, my once lovely home will have the feel of the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

My normally chatty insurance agent has been avoiding me like the plague. Once the corporate offices force him to cancel all his clients, the chances are they'll be cancelling him.

What a world we live in these days!

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