Podcast
Insurance Hour makes the daunting world of insurance understandable for everyone. Karl cuts through the red tape and jargon so that you can understand insurance coverage and how insurance can work for you. d. And, he makes it fun!
With guests from the legislators and regulators who are making the decisions that impact your wallet, to listener calls about everything from pet insurance to insuring classic cars, Insurance Hour is an entertaining way to learn about insurance and make the best decisions for your home, car, and life.
Karl Susman is a 30-year insurance agency owner, in-demand media commentator and analyst, legislative consultant, and expert witness in state, federal and criminal courts across the United States.
For more information about Insurance Hour and its programming, please reach us at [email protected].
Summary
The video covers an interview on Insurance Hour hosted by Karl Susman with special guest Daniel Berlant, who was appointed as State Fire Marshal by Gavin Newsom in October 2023. The discussion focuses on wildfire prevention, protection, and response in California. Berlant shares critical insights about home hardening, defensible space, and the new concept of 'zone zero.' He reveals that 95% of wildfires are caused by human activity, with only 5% caused by natural events like lightning. The conversation covers the evolution of fire behavior over the past decade, with Berlant noting that summers in California are now 70 days longer than in the 1970s. The interview also discusses CAL FIRE's predictive modeling capabilities, firefighting strategies, and the collaboration between fire services and the insurance industry to reduce fire risks.
Highlights
Introduction and Guest Background
Host Karl Susman introduces Daniel Berlant, appointed State Fire Marshal in October 2023. Berlant's career began with CAL FIRE in 2001 as a volunteer, progressing through various roles including the Fire Prevention Bureau and CAL FIRE Communications.
Home Hardening and Defensible Space
Berlant explains home hardening as building or retrofitting homes with fire-resistant materials. He notes that homes built after 2008 follow new building codes, but 90% of homes in wildfire-prone areas were built before these standards. He introduces the concept of 'zone zero' or ember resistance zone, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a 5-foot buffer around homes free of combustible materials.
Fire Causes and Prevention
Berlant reveals that 95% of wildfires are caused by human activity, with major causes including debris burning, vehicle usage, powered equipment use, and arson. He discusses prevention strategies and directs people to readyforwildfire.org for resources and self-assessment tools.
Climate Impact and Fire Behavior
Berlant discusses how California's fire season has changed, noting summers are now 70 days longer than in the 1970s. He explains how extreme weather events, including dry lightning storms and Santa Ana winds, have contributed to more severe wildfires in recent years.
Firefighting Strategies and Insurance Considerations
The discussion covers CAL FIRE's containment strategies, aerial firefighting capabilities, and the use of various firefighting tools including retardant and water drops. Berlant also details the collaboration between fire services and insurance companies, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive fire prevention measures for insurance purposes.
Insurance Hour is hosted by renowned insurance expert Karl Susman. Karl is a frequent guest on television stations such as ABC, CBS, Spectrum, The CW and FOX, and now his popular radio program is available online throughout California and world-wide.
Listeners can now tune in to Insurance Hour on great AM radio station KMET throughout the state of California.
In addition to traditional radio, Insurance Hour is available on several popular streaming platforms, ensuring that listeners can access the show at their convenience.
Audiences worldwide can now enjoy Insurance Hour at InsuranceHour.com, on YouTube, Amazon Music, Tuneln, Alexa, Apple Podcasts, and the iHeartRadio app.
For more information about ”Insurance Hour” and its programming, please contact Lara Starr at [email protected]