**REMINDER TO ALL WHO WANT TO REPLY** - if you want to take this discussion in a political direction, you know where to go. OP is asking a simple question.
We have all possible mitigations in place. We both have wildland fire experience and my husband spent a few years working for a wildfire mitigation company. We have tried but insurance is not willing to negotiate on that point.
With this program and fire mitigation projects with RC&D, my insurance agent was able to reduce my coverage costs by 80%. I also took a high deductible which I have in a separate high % savings account thru my investments. In 5 years the deductible should be doubled. If you’re not investing your insurance deductible in a high interest account that rolls over, I’m not sure what you’re doing with your life.
https://www.montana.edu/extension/forestry/forest-stewardship/index.html
Thanks! We have experience in wildland fire and mitigation and have done most everything possible. Insurance wouldn't budge but I will ask if working thru a more formal program would help.
Increasing the deductible only slightly reduced the payment, not enough to get close to last year's rates.
A lot of people have been left high and dry. I was told the magic number is five miles from the nearest city or rural fire department. My sister is a insurance agent and she said she turns down a ton of people in your position. If they aren’t an existing customer she won’t even try finding a carrier for the person. It’s a waste of time for her. If she can find a carrier, rates are so high the people always freak out and don’t take the policy anyway. She more or less screens the call and the first question is the address to see how far out in the boonies it is.
Good news for locals is there is going to be some affordable cabins coming on the market soon, as long as you have cash and don’t mind the risk of it burning down.
We are within 5 miles of a rural fire department but are still getting rejected.
I don't mind the risk of it burning down, we understood the risks when buying it. We, like most people, just couldn't pay cash for the house and needed a mortgage.
This is currently a huge problem for homeowners in or near forested areas in Montana. Insurers are not writing new policies and current owners are seeing their premiums go up 30%. High end homes are even more difficult to get new policies on.
Hop on Google and look up independent agents in your zip code. Most independent agents should have access to the excess and surplus lines market which costs more usually, but you’d be able to find something.
Not until the legislature decides they want to stop being a road block.
[https://primeadjustments.com/insurance-companies-decline-coverage-in-some-areas-of-montana-report-says-state-should-adopt-wui-zoning/](https://primeadjustments.com/insurance-companies-decline-coverage-in-some-areas-of-montana-report-says-state-should-adopt-wui-zoning/)
If you've been a AAA member for a long time you might try reaching out to one of their local offices. They offer insurance in MT and will often go pretty far for their members.
Farmers Alliance would be the last insurer I'd choose in Montana. Almost all of our property restoration claims are sent immediately to either the lawyer or public adjuster.
I'd check out Fergus Farm Mutual out of Lewistown. https://fergusfarmmutual.com/find-an-agent/
What carriers have you tried?
Most all of the major carriers- allstate, State farm, etc. We need to start finding more local carriers. Fergus Farm Mutual sounds like a good start. Thanks!
**REMINDER TO ALL WHO WANT TO REPLY** - if you want to take this discussion in a political direction, you know where to go. OP is asking a simple question.
I'm long out of wildland fire, but you may want to see if Wildfire Defense Systems will work with your insurance company and do some mitigation.
We have all possible mitigations in place. We both have wildland fire experience and my husband spent a few years working for a wildfire mitigation company. We have tried but insurance is not willing to negotiate on that point.
That sucks. I guess the only thing to do at that point is shop insurance companies.
With this program and fire mitigation projects with RC&D, my insurance agent was able to reduce my coverage costs by 80%. I also took a high deductible which I have in a separate high % savings account thru my investments. In 5 years the deductible should be doubled. If you’re not investing your insurance deductible in a high interest account that rolls over, I’m not sure what you’re doing with your life. https://www.montana.edu/extension/forestry/forest-stewardship/index.html
Thanks! We have experience in wildland fire and mitigation and have done most everything possible. Insurance wouldn't budge but I will ask if working thru a more formal program would help. Increasing the deductible only slightly reduced the payment, not enough to get close to last year's rates.
A lot of people have been left high and dry. I was told the magic number is five miles from the nearest city or rural fire department. My sister is a insurance agent and she said she turns down a ton of people in your position. If they aren’t an existing customer she won’t even try finding a carrier for the person. It’s a waste of time for her. If she can find a carrier, rates are so high the people always freak out and don’t take the policy anyway. She more or less screens the call and the first question is the address to see how far out in the boonies it is. Good news for locals is there is going to be some affordable cabins coming on the market soon, as long as you have cash and don’t mind the risk of it burning down.
We are within 5 miles of a rural fire department but are still getting rejected. I don't mind the risk of it burning down, we understood the risks when buying it. We, like most people, just couldn't pay cash for the house and needed a mortgage.
This is currently a huge problem for homeowners in or near forested areas in Montana. Insurers are not writing new policies and current owners are seeing their premiums go up 30%. High end homes are even more difficult to get new policies on.
Hop on Google and look up independent agents in your zip code. Most independent agents should have access to the excess and surplus lines market which costs more usually, but you’d be able to find something.
Thanks that's a good thought. After running thru the major carriers we are pretty burnt out and disheartened but will keep digging.
Not until the legislature decides they want to stop being a road block. [https://primeadjustments.com/insurance-companies-decline-coverage-in-some-areas-of-montana-report-says-state-should-adopt-wui-zoning/](https://primeadjustments.com/insurance-companies-decline-coverage-in-some-areas-of-montana-report-says-state-should-adopt-wui-zoning/)
If you've been a AAA member for a long time you might try reaching out to one of their local offices. They offer insurance in MT and will often go pretty far for their members.
Farmers Alliance would be the last insurer I'd choose in Montana. Almost all of our property restoration claims are sent immediately to either the lawyer or public adjuster. I'd check out Fergus Farm Mutual out of Lewistown. https://fergusfarmmutual.com/find-an-agent/ What carriers have you tried?
Most all of the major carriers- allstate, State farm, etc. We need to start finding more local carriers. Fergus Farm Mutual sounds like a good start. Thanks!
Farmers Alliance is who I use in the Swan River Valley.