Insurance for Cabin in Holy Jim Canyon

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SoOCOwner_IHB

SoOCOwner_IHB

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I have enjoyed reading the IHB for some time now. This is somewhat off the topics that I see posted, but I'm running out of options. With the knowledge this group has, maybe someone can help me.



We own a historic recreational cabin in Holy Jim Canyon. It was built in the 20's or 30's and is totally original, i.e., it is NOT built to code. The cabin does not have a recorded O.C. street address and is located 6 miles up a dirt road. Because of the location (high fire danger), lack of valid street address and construction of the cabin, we cannot find a company to provide us fire insurance. If we cannot find a policy that offers replacement value, we would be satisfied if we could get one that just covered the purchase price.



We did find one company that claimed they would insure us (for fire only). Because the cabins don't have valid street addresses, the agent used the address of an actual home in RSM on the policy. He claimed it was valid, but we knew that if the place burned down, they would never honor it.



I thought there may be some insurance agents or Realtors who read the blog and had some suggestions for me. Any help would be much appreciated.



Thanks, <em>SoOcOwner</em>
 
[quote author="SoOCOwner" date=1212272481]I have enjoyed reading the IHB for some time now. This is somewhat off the topics that I see posted, but I'm running out of options. With the knowledge this group has, maybe someone can help me.



We own a historic recreational cabin in Holy Jim Canyon. It was built in the 20's or 30's and is totally original, i.e., it is NOT built to code. The cabin does not have a recorded O.C. street address and is located 6 miles up a dirt road. Because of the location (high fire danger), lack of valid street address and construction of the cabin, we cannot find a company to provide us fire insurance. If we cannot find a policy that offers replacement value, we would be satisfied if we could get one that just covered the purchase price.



We did find one company that claimed they would insure us (for fire only). Because the cabins don't have valid street addresses, the agent used the address of an actual home in RSM on the policy. He claimed it was valid, but we knew that if the place burned down, they would never honor it.



I thought there may be some insurance agents or Realtors who read the blog and had some suggestions for me. Any help would be much appreciated.



Thanks, <em>SoOcOwner</em></blockquote>


The cedar fires in SD county took a lot of houses in the backcountry (Julian and Cuyamaca). Growing up, my family would make trips out there and I have some of my greatest childhood memories of fishing, camping, and gorging myself on the apples. (If you ever get the chance, treat yourself to a Julian Apple Pie from Mom's!)



I know that Allstate insured many of the homes that were lost, and reportedly did a very good job of getting payments done during a very tough time.



Some did sue for more than they were covered for, but the insurance company <a href="http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/27/news/inland/3_02_084_26_07.txt">prevailed in court</a>. They should be able to help. They may also deem that your location is too high a risk and that you are uninsurable at any cost.



There are many other ways to identify the location of property; plat maps, metes and bounds, and more. Using a different address sounds very suspicious to me. I would keep checking.
 
are you on a land lease from the forest service?



i've read that some of them do NOT allow rebuilding in case of fire or other destruction. are you sure that your lease allows rebuilding?
 
Yes, we are on a land lease (500.00 / yr). The Forest service is in the process of renewing the leases for 20 years. I do know that other cabin owners have rebuilt after fires, but you bring up a good point. I will have to read my new lease when I get it (hopefully soon).
 
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