Another warm, dry winter has residents, fire departments and insurance providers worried in La Plata County.
Insurance rates have more than doubled in Colorado since 2018, according to Colorado State University’s Regional Economic Development Institute. Additionally, insurance policy non-renewal rates grew from 0.34% in 2018 to 1.14% in 2022 ‒ a modest rise, but a rise nonetheless.
“Notably, these nonrenewal rates are higher in areas more likely to experience costly hazard events and in areas with fast premium growth,” the report said.
The report found that La Plata County is at high risk for natural hazards ‒ like wildfires ‒ and medium risk for insurance non-renewal on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Natural Risk Index.
Yet, mitigating homes and properties against wildfires ‒ namely through clearing flammable material from around a structure in a preemptive effort to create defensible space ‒ has been shown to enhance safety and strengthen eligibility for insurance and help maintain coverage as risks continue to rise, according to Fire Adapted Colorado.
We want to know: What is your experience with home insurance and wildfires in La Plata County?
Complete the form below or email Herald Staff Writer Scout Edmondson at sedmondson@durangoherald.com to share your experiences with home insurance.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSey0KCc7oPmE5l2cM7ZzcRnqAYeydEfiZrD-W7e-EPiC3g0UA/viewform?usp=publish-editor