Insurers Paying to Rebuild Greener Homes

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4aOK0HuId1Q6oWOGzIM5h9Rtf_QD8U1TK880

Insurers Paying to Rebuild Greener Homes

By LAUREN VILLAGRAN –

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean Walsh returned to his mother's San Diego home after the October wildfires to find it charred to its foundation. He says he plans to help her rebuild the trilevel, five-bedroom abode — happily used to host 19 grandkids — exactly as it was, only greener.

Two major insurers are launching "green" insurance programs that will let homeowners reconstruct their property with more environmentally friendly building materials, appliances and landscaping, even if it costs more than the replacement value stated in the policy.

One major insurer, Fireman's Fund, is launching its "green" insurance program in Southern California at no extra charge to its clients who were hurt by a dozen wildfires that killed seven people and destroyed nearly 2,200 homes in October. And Lexington Insurance Co. is testing a new "green" policy in a handful of East Coast states.

Both programs are expected to be launched nationwide in 2008.

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[polichick]

1. Great news!

Thanks :)