Southern California is really suffering from wild fires, and the major fire season, when the Santa Ana winds kick in, hasn’t even gone into effect! Last I checked fires in Los Angeles County were only about 38% contained. Could you imagine over 60% of wild fires ravaging areas surrounding your house? California residents must feel angst as they hope for the fires to spare their homes.

Interestingly enough, coverage of this California natural disaster takes place almost exactly four years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city of New Orleans in Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina survivors don’t have to imagine what it feels like to lose everything as the ones whose houses were ruined by flood waters lost nearly every material belonging when the storm struck. Perhaps, what is even more disheartening is that current news stories are reporting how four years later after Hurricane Katrina, so much still has to be rebuilt. Reportedly, neighborhoods are still covered with debris from destroyed homes, and the city once known for its unique, Cajun culture has yet to fully revive its vivacity.

If you were to experience a natural disaster, would you know how to protect your belongings and rights? Is it worth investing in disaster insurance when there’s a potential for the deductible to be high?  From a legal standpoint, it’s helpful to know your insurance policy in and out. You can ask your attorney to help you sift through the jargon to learn if your insurance will really cover you during a natural disaster.

It’s interesting that some homeowners, even after learning about the benefits of having disaster insurance, may still opt to not be covered. Their arguments are that it costs too much for insurance that may be too limited. And, in many cases, they believe that the government will step in for assistance. However, we’re still watching the rebirth and rebuilding of New Orleans with assistance from programs like FEMA, and I can’t say with confidence that all of the homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina have been restored.

Would you trust the government to help rebuild your home once it’s been destroyed by a natural disaster? If you don’t insure your home, and rely upon the government’s reponse, do you think that your home would be built back and restored to its original condition? How can you ensure that all the things that made your home yours and unique would be replenished unless you have disaster insurance?

Posted by Adrienne on September 3, 2009 at 11:46 am.