CEDAR PARK, Texas — Kim Stefanowicz has lived in the Deer Creek Ranch area for nearly two years and has had home insurance on her house through Travelers Insurance during that time.
But recently, Stefanowicz was shocked to learn that the company was dropping her because her home is at a high risk for brush fires.
In a letter from Travelers provided to KVUE by Stefanowicz, the notice directly states the wildfire risk as the company's reasoning for the nonrenewal.
"We had just figured that this area back here was being controlled. And, you know, again, when we first applied for the homeowner's insurance, not one mention about any risk or concern whatsoever," Stefanowicz said, adding, "It's highly frustrating to just, 'Hey, you know, this is what you've got and this is what you have to deal with.'"
KVUE reached out to the insurance company. We were told the risk level on Stefanowicz's property has gone up and it was not a risk Travelers could undertake.
In a statement, Travelers said,"Retention is always our goal, but it’s balanced with thoughtful and disciplined underwriting. In general, we routinely evaluate our risk exposure and make adjustments as needed."
Lisa Kelly, who also lives in the neighborhood, has State Farm and said she is still protected. However, her concern lies with the amount of exposure the homes get due to how close the trees are.
The land behind them is protected by the Travis Audubon Society, which aims to protect birds, such as the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler.
Kelly and Stefanowicz said they have both tried to minimize the risk by trimming the trees down, but they were eventually stopped by the conservation group.
"[Travis Audubon Society] just [doesn't] have the funds to to to clear this. But they won't let us do it either. They don't want anybody back there. You know, they threaten people with trespassing and things like that," Kelly said. "We are sitting ducks waiting for a lightning strike in the preserve that will ignite that entire area."
KVUE reached out to the group on Friday about the concerns and if there is another level of protection that can be provided, but we did not hear back.
Both Stefanowicz and Kelly hope insurance companies and the preserve take the concerns into account so they at least have some level of protection.
"I just feel that there needs to be at least a solution, not zero solution," Stefanowicz said.