Redwood Estates Services Association

Would you like to work outdoors this summer, in a beautiful pool setting? We’ve got just the thing for you! Redwood Estates Services Association Fire Insurance Keith Kanady Fire insurance is a significant cost of home ownership in the Santa Cruz Mountains. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has made progress working with insurance companies to provide more affordable fire insurance in high fire-risk areas. The recent Southern California fires will test California’s efforts to stabilize the insurance marketplace.

Seven of the 12 largest insurance providers in Northern California have paused or restricted issuing new homeowner policies. In the wake of the Southern California fires, citing what it calls a potentially “dire situation,” State Farm has asked California for permission to hike insurance rates by an average of 22 percent.

The California Fair Plan was established in 1968 by the governor and California legislature. It is controlled by the insurance companies, not the taxpayers. It was meant to be a temporary solution for property owners in high-risk areas to obtain fire insurance. For the unforeseeable future, it will continue to be one of our only options for obtaining fire insurance. It is costly and often only covers losses, and not true replacement cost.

California has enacted regulations that require insurance companies to provide discounts to property owners in Firewise- USA designated communities. Many of our mountain neighborhoods have Firewise-USA recognition, and others are in the process of achieving it. Neighbors have worked together to make our communities safer.

When selling homes in hazardous fire areas, a SB38 document of a Compliant Defensible Space Inspection (DSI) is required. The initial inspection may require actions to meet the guidelines and will require a reinspection. This can take a month or more.

Review your coverage to make sure it is adequate. Claimants have been denied or found that they were underinsured based (RESA) is hiring for the upcoming 2025 pool season. Be a part of the community, meet new friends, and earn competitive wages.

Multiple positions are available, including pool manager, lifeguards, and attendants. Lifeguard certification is required for all positions. RESA will reimburse you if you need certification training. Ask for details. The Redwood Estates Pool opens May 24, Memorial Day weekend. The pool season runs through September 1, Labor Day weekend. The hours of employment are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on holidays. Depending on weather conditions, the season may be extended beyond Labor Day.

To apply and for more information, call the RESA office at 408-353-1866, or email resaservice@comcast.net.

Fiber Internet Arrives on Summit This winter’s wind and rain haven’t stopped the continued installation of high-speed fiber internet. This project is funded by competitive grants won by Surfnet from the state of California, in partnership with California Broadband Alliance. Since January, it’s been exciting to watch Surfnet trucks roll through to install the fiber lines in Installation of fiber internet is intense and detailed, especially given the challenging terrain. Our crews are moving to the western side of Highway 17, working along Summit The roads included in the current Surfnet’s wireless service provides reliable internet access to our many customers throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. For more than 20 years, Surfnet has met the challenge of delivering internet to remote homes and businesses in this rural paradise many of us call home. As we continue to build out fiber service, rest assured that we will continue to provide strong, reliable wireless service throughout our service area.

Whether it’s fiber or wireless that’s best for you, we’ve got you covered. Give us a call at 831-439-7873, extension 77, to learn more. If you have any questions, email me at ken@ installation phase include Apple Hill Road, Deerfield Road, Del Monte Way, Evergreen Lane, Forest Drive, Highland Way, Loma Prieta Avenue, Mount Bache Road, Radonich Road, Summit Road, Sunset Surfnet’s first fiber customers are already online. If you live on the roads listed above, but are not yet a Surfnet customer, give us a call to be included in the current build-out.

As crews are installing the fiber wires, we’re offering to connect those wires to eligible homes free of charge. We also continue to offer wireless. As we often say at Surfnet, on the terms of their policies. Others have had claims denied because the insurance company was not notified the property was Living in a Firewise Community and having a compliant Defensible Space Addendum should have a positive effect on Keith Kanady is a licensed real estate broker He can be reached at 408-316-1666.

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