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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2008 - 11:26:39 AM

SACRAMENTO - California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today visited an Auburn home on five wooded acres to encourage Sacramento homeowners to protect their assets in the event of a disaster.  Commissioner Poizner advised local residents to proactively prepare for fires and other disasters by conducting a home inventory and updating their insurance policies.

California is in the midst of a dangerous fire season due to a harsh confluence of factors. Increased fuel, abnormally dry weather and greater urban interface are creating a particularly combustible mix for the 2007 fire season. 

"Waiting for a fire to erupt before conducting a home inventory and reviewing your insurance policy means you could get burned twice - first by the fire then by trying to recover your losses," said Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.  "These are concrete steps people can take today to protect their home."

Using their own personal household digital camera plus a Home Inventory Guide available at no charge from the California Department of Insurance (CDI), Commissioner Poizner demonstrated how the homeowners can catalogue their possessions and document their values.  Commissioner Poizner encouraged residents to contact CDI at 800.927.HELP for consumer guides about various insurance policies.

"California's recently hot housing market may mean that expensive upgrades would not be a covered loss," said Commissioner Poizner.  "Many people who have remodeled their homes over the past few years should take particular care to update their policies."

Photographs of household goods are especially helpful when an item is hard to describe on paper, or if a purchase receipt cannot be obtained.  Each photograph should be labeled with information about the item.  If a video recorder is used, commentary should be added about each item.  Date stamps should also be employed.  A copy of the inventory and supporting documentation, such as receipts and model numbers, should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe-deposit box, work office, or a relative's house.  These records should also include financial documents such as insurance policies and mortgage information.

Commissioner Poizner was joined today by CALFIRE Chief Ruben Grijalva to demonstrate how to make homes more fire safe by creating defensible spaces and improving construction materials.