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California orders more insurance options for wildfire areas

Firefighters battle the Fawn Fire burning north of Redding in Shasta County
Ethan Swope/AP
A helicopter drops water on the Fawn Fire burning north of Redding in Shasta County, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021.
Firefighters battle the Fawn Fire burning north of Redding in Shasta County
Posted at 3:24 PM, Sep 24, 2021
and last updated 2021-09-24 18:25:04-04

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has ordered more options for homeowners who can't buy private insurance because they live in wildfire prone areas.

The California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements sells insurance to homeowners who can't buy it through no fault of their own. Most of their coverage only applies to damage from fires and other disasters.

On Friday, Lara ordered them to also cover things like water damage and theft. A state judge ruled in July that Lara has the authority to do this. The FAIR Plan Association has opposed Lara's order.

They still have time to appeal the judge's decision.

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WILDFIRE RESOURCES

ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.

Emergency Supply Kit Checklist:

  • Face masks or coverings
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
  • Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions or special medications
  • Change of clothing
  • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Don’t forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

  • Easily carried valuables
  • Family photos and other irreplaceable items
  • Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
  • Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.