After 18 homes in the Santa Clarita Valley were destroyed by the Sand Fire last week, a Santa Clarita financial advisor is encouraging the community to investigate their homeowner’s insurance policy to see exactly what’s covered if another disaster strikes.
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“Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t prevent fires, but it will make you whole in the event that you have an incident or you have a disaster,” said Jeff Girard, co-host of “Total Financial Solutions Safer Money Hour.” “But the key here is to remember that insurance policies can be complex– what you think is covered may not be covered.”
What’s included in a policy can depend on a variety of risk factors that have been carefully assessed by the insurance carrier.
For example, if a home is located in what’s considered a high-risk fire zone, the homeowner may require a special carrier’s policy to ensure they have full coverage in the event that their home burns down.
Related: Total Financial Solutions: Pay Yourself Every Payday
“Those gray areas are really the parts that can hurt somebody and cause them to put their guard down thinking, ‘Oh, I’m covered,’” Girard said. “You can’t just turn a blind eye.”
To ensure that residents know exactly what’s covered by their homeowner’s insurance and what’s not, Richard Grant, author of “Power Tools to Slay the Money Dragon,” recommends individuals “stress test” their policies.
“Say, ‘Alright, I don’t want to presume here,’” Grant said. “Stress test our insurance policies so that we know what is covered. Maybe we have too much coverage or not enough in certain areas. I know that there are categories that are not always covered, categories of natural disasters.”
For instance, someone without an independent policy may not be covered in the event of an earthquake or what Grant called “earth movement,” meaning a landslide, mudslide or sinkhole. A separate policy is usually needed to cover these specific perils.
“We need to ask them very pointed questions to make sure we know,” he said.
“Asking questions,” Girard added, “is paramount in the success of having a policy that fits you.”
Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight based on the latest “Total Financial Solutions Safer Money Hour” radio show on KHTS AM-1220.
Total Financial Solutions offers assistance with preparing for retirement and financial planning in Santa Clarita and the surrounding valleys. Santa Clarita financial advisor Arif M. Halaby, a Certified Estate Planner, and Total Financial Solutions staff work with people of all ages, helping them protect, grow and preserve their assets through an individualized approach. Halaby is also the host of “Total Financial Solutions Safer Money Hour” on KHTS AM-1220. Launched in 2004, the show offers listeners from Santa Clarita financial planning tips and guidance for dealing with today’s ever-changing financial needs.
Total Financial Solutions, Inc.
24322 Main Street
Newhall, CA 91321
661-753-9683
800-990-7344
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