Lake of the Pines: earthquake insurance? propane gas costs? (Palm Springs: renting, neighborhood)

[Samoi137]

Thinking of buying there. Anyone know if earthquake insurance is usually purchased by LOP homeowners? I did live in Sac several years ago and didn't buy it, but Sac's low earthquake risk may be different than that in southern Nevada County. Also, anyone familiar with utility costs there, at least as compared to other areas? They need to use propane gas (renting tanks, I believe), which I've only bought in the past for thingsj like barbeques. Obviously the exact monthly costs vary by individual, so I'm asking in general how they compare with other areas (e.g., places on natural gas lines). I did call the local fire district (Higgins), and was told the fire danger in the development is quite low (ISO 4), which is good for property insurance costs. Thanks!

[Samoi137]

p.s. this from City Data (for Auburn): "Auburn-area historical earthquake activity is significantly below California state average. It is 337% greater than the overall U.S. average." The only listed quakes, however, occurred 75+ miles away.

[NinaN]

The areas near here that use propane gas pay about the same, and sometimes slightly less, than for natural gas. But it really is location and supplier dependent.

[ryuns]

Originally Posted by NinaN

The areas near here that use propane gas pay about the same, and sometimes slightly less, than for natural gas. But it really is location and supplier dependent.

Wow, personally never heard of that being the case.

Propane Prices | Compare Propane Prices shows some propane prices per gallon. (FYI to the OP, you can search by specific counties, which might give you an idea about LOP.) The lowest, at least on page one, is in the neighborhood of $1.40 per gallon. That's compared to about $1/therm I pay to PG&E. A gallon of propane is about 91,000 Btu's. One therm is about 100,000 Btu's.

Both are going to be a little volatile. I'd guess natural gas prices will probably increase and stabilize, but stay the cheapest fossil fuel per Btu in the USA for the foreseeable future.

[DMenscha]

Natural gas is actually different than propane. Natural gas is lighter than air and propane is heavier.

I paid 2.29/gallon for my last propane delivery.

[NinaN]

The communities here that use propane gas are densly packed (cheaper delivery) and the HOAs have deals with the propane companies that rival the natural gas prices.

That's why I think it's very location dependent.

[ryuns]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

Natural gas is actually different than propane. Natural gas is lighter than air and propane is heavier.

I paid 2.29/gallon for my last propane delivery.

Right, which was why I compared Btu's to Btu's, which is apples to apples assuming both fuels are burned in furnaces of equal efficiency. Your propane is about 2 to 2.5 times the cost of natural gas I get from PG&E, per Btu.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by ryuns

Right, which was why I compared Btu's to Btu's, which is apples to apples assuming both fuels are burned in furnaces of equal efficiency. Your propane is about 2 to 2.5 times the cost of natural gas I get from PG&E, per Btu.

Oh Sure...rub it in.

[Adamson865]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

p.s. this from City Data (for Auburn): "Auburn-area historical earthquake activity is significantly below California state average. It is 337% greater than the overall U.S. average." The only listed quakes, however, occurred 75+ miles away.

I've only ever had earthquake insurance in one place (here in Palm Springs) which costs $16/mo on top of my other policies, but it did enhance my multi-policy discount just a smidgen so my additional outlay was a bit less than $16/mo. When I lived in Sac, I don't recall my insurance agent ever mentioning earthquake insurance even though it's theoretically available there - but it was darned near the first words out of my agent here ("Hello... get earthquake insurance.")