Jacksonville Homeowners Struggle with Insurance Cancellations Amidst Wildfire Concerns
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — Even with the city’s dedication to wildfire prevention, several Jacksonville residents find themselves facing a surprising predicament: the cancellation of their homeowners’ insurance policies due to perceived fire risks.
Among those affected are Cynthia Harris and Steven Morgan. The couple, who reside in a Firewise neighborhood, have actively worked to minimize wildfire dangers by removing brush, creating defensible spaces around their home, and adhering to stringent fire safety protocols. Yet, they still received a notice of cancellation.
“I just don’t know what else a homeowner could do other than the things we have done,” Harris said, expressing her frustration. “It felt like a form letter. I mean, and I’m sure everyone who was going to be canceled is going to get the same form letter, and there was nothing individualized about it.”
Jacksonville is committed to wildfire preparedness. A significant majority of its neighborhoods, including the street where Harris and Morgan live, are recognized as Firewise communities, indicating a concerted effort to lessen wildfire hazards. Two-thirds of the town has obtained FireWise status.
Despite extensive local efforts, multiple residents have reported their insurance coverage being revoked. Morgan questioned the value of their diligent work, wondering if their efforts to mitigate fire risk would ultimately be disregarded.
“There’s so much effort, and you think, is it a waste of time?” Morgan remarked. “But once the insurance company or somebody puts out a map… all their effort is meaningless.”
Ginny Buck, a local insurance agent and owner of Jacksonville Insurance Inc., explained that these cancellations may be attributable to the ongoing issues within the insurance industry. Buck noted that the industry has been struggling, and many insurers are incurring substantial losses.
According to Buck, insurers are losing billions of dollars combined and have become hesitant to cover homes in high fire-risk areas. “You think about these huge fires,” Buck said. “When we talk to underwriters, they don’t even care [about Firewise precautions].”
The couple’s concerns extend to the future of the town, as they worry that a lack of insurance could deter potential homebuyers. Buck affirmed that realtors have expressed worry about the market, citing the problem of selling a house if the buyer cannot obtain insurance.
“I don’t blame realtors for being worried because if the person can’t get insurance, how are they going to sell a house?” Buck said.
Buck did offer a glimmer of hope, assuring residents that they will have insurance options. Those who are denied coverage can seek protection through the Oregon FAIR Plan.
