Allstate antsy about home owners insurance in kalispell (new home, live in)

[kamoto]

So Allstate says they will insure this year, but are threatening to cancel next year because of the grass surrounding the home. I can cut my two acres, is that enough of a fire break? Does Montana have insurance of last resort in case I can’t get any? Looks like the western states have to do something. You approved the building permit you can’t make a brand new home worthless

[Shuffler]

Sounds like you need to shop around if Allstate is giving you the runaround - probably something to do with all the claims they'll be paying out (again) in places like CA ... that's gonna hurt profits for them.


Cut that grass down to 6" or so ... but don't scalp it, otherwise you're gonna develop a weed problem. Keeping a nice big, clear perimeter around the house should suffice for fire mitigation ... you won't need to have that grass cut more than a few times per season, probably July-September to coincide with fire season.

[KNPV PSD]

My prior company wanted me to cut back several mature doug fir trees around my place even though I have had the local fire crew up and they said I have done everything reasonable to make the property defensible.


I shopped around and Flathead Farm insured me with no concerns or modifications to the property.

[mjstef]

Before i left the Flathead i bush hogged over a hundred acres a year before fire season for people for fire mitigation. If you need that done every summer contact Montana Ranch Hand in Kalispell and Sean will hook you up.....

[kamoto]

Awesome. Thanks all. I’ll keep Montana Ranch Hand documented. The property looks great with the current setup. They can’t make us all live in a densely packed place to avoid fire. I’m off highway 206, so I have a firebreak right there

[Redraven]

Originally Posted by kamoto

Awesome. Thanks all. I’ll keep Montana Ranch Hand documented. The property looks great with the current setup. They can’t make us all live in a densely packed place to avoid fire. I’m off highway 206, so I have a firebreak right there

Well, maybe. But more than likely not. One good gust of wind, and the fire will be across that highway right-of-way and in your front yard, and there won't be a thing you can do about it. Keep in mind that such fires create their own winds, and live embers from the fire can be blown 1/4 mile or more in front of the edge of the fire.
Are the roofs of your house and outbuildings (if any) fire-proof? What about the siding? It sounds like you have removed all trees. What does Allstate want you to do about the grass? Surely they don't expect you to go to a "bare Earth" area around your home! I think I would be shopping for a different insurance company. Safeco has never had a problem with my 1.5 acres of grass, or my 4 evergreen trees and 4 deciduous trees. They are more concerned about the hail damage, not that there is anything I can do about it.

[historyfan]

I suppose it depends on how far your house is from trees. Grass fires on their own are more easily stopped, when a forest is on fire it is a completely different story. I would ask your neighbors for insurance carrier recs.

[kamoto]

There are basically no trees. I think the development was on former farm land. I’m south of an active farm. Brand new property, with mini trees just planted. I arrive tomorrow so I’ll ask around what others are using. Kindly ken