Facing Tough Choices: The Story of Tessa Santana
Imagine having to choose between your family’s dinner table and your home’s roof. Sounds crazy, right? But that’s exactly what Tessa Santana had to face last year. Stress creeps in when finances tighten, and when the bills pile up, sometimes the hardest choices become necessary. Tessa, a devoted mother and grandmother, found herself in that very dilemma.
“We weren’t in a good place,” she shared with a heavy heart. At one point, she had house insurance, but after a series of financial struggles, she made the gut-wrenching decision to let it go. After all, it was either pay for insurance or put food on the table for her family.
Little did she know that soon enough, her northern Saskatchewan community would face the devastating grip of wildfires. As fate would have it, just a year after Tessa cancelled her insurance, the Santanas lost everything in a fire that claimed their home of 20 years. They had built so many memories there, watching their kids and grandkids grow up.
Devastation and Resilience
The fire didn’t just take their house; it took their animals too—most heartbreakingly, their two dogs and a donkey. “That’s something I’ve got to live with,” Tessa reflected, her voice shaking with emotion. It’s difficult to comprehend the weight of loss when you’ve spent decades making a space feel like home. And yet, Tessa is alive, and she’s determined to rebuild her life from the ashes.
Today, the couple has relocated three hours south to Rosthern, Saskatchewan. They’ve been living in their trailer at the Valley Regional Park Campground for six weeks, all while maintaining a brave face. “We love camping,” she says, embracing the bright side. It’s a way to find joy in the chaos, but when reality hits—when she remembers that this isn’t just an extended camping trip but their new reality—it becomes a lot to shoulder.
The adjustments haven’t been easy; they’ve had to keep moving campsites around due to park bookings and rely on extension cords for power. “It’s tiring, it really is,” she admitted, but there’s still a flicker of gratitude in her words. “We’re thankful we got to move within Rosthern Regional Park and we didn’t have to go and finding something else.”
The Insurance Gap: A Widening Divide
Unfortunately, Tessa isn’t the only one grappling with the aftermath of wildfires and the financial burden of being uninsured. During this wildfire season, multiple insurance brokers have reported a steady stream of calls from clients who are either uninsured or underinsured. The sad truth holds: for every $1 in insured losses, there’s an astonishing $3 to $4 in uninsured losses resting heavy on homeowners, businesses, and state budgets.
Last year was particularly brutal—Canada recorded a staggering $8.5 billion in insured losses due to extreme weather. Think about that for a moment. If my math is right (which, it’s sometimes questionable), that could mean somewhere between $25.5 to $34 billion in uninsured losses! And who’s footing the bill? It’s the government, businesses, and ultimately, us as taxpayers. Those funds could’ve helped with hospitals, schools, and community infrastructure.
On a lighter note, I remember when I was younger, my neighbor would always joke about his penchant for “living on the edge” without insurance. He never took anything seriously—until the day his fence blew down during a storm. It was a valuable lesson, but it seems not everyone gets that wake-up call.
Taking Action: What Can Be Done?
So what can we do to curb these losses? Kathryn Bakos, a managing director at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, has some suggestions. She argues that if homeowners make specific adaptations before a disaster strikes—like moving flammable materials away from their homes and utilizing fire-resistant siding and roofing—they can reduce their risk significantly. “Putting fire smart actions in place could cut the chances of your home burning down by 50 to 75 percent,” she explains. That’s a pretty hefty percentage.
But, you know, change takes time, and not everyone is equipped to make those adjustments. It really makes you wonder—is it a lack of information, or do people feel invulnerable until it’s too late? I mean, it’s like the time I thought I could run a marathon without training—talk about living dangerously!
Despite the circumstances, the Santanas hold out hope. Tessa says they plan to rent a new home before winter comes sweeping in. Something tells me they’ll be prepared with insurance this time around. “When we do get a house, insurance will be a top priority,” she states. Having experienced unimaginable loss, it’s a priority that feels not just wise but necessary.
Finding a Temporary Home
With their current trailer as a makeshift home, the couple is doing their best to settle in. While they might not have all the luxuries of a full house, they’ve managed to make their living situation feel a bit cozier. I can totally relate to that. When my friends and I travel in tents, we do our best to make it feel homely with string lights and comfy blankets. It kind of keeps the spirit alive even when the circumstances are less than ideal.
“We’ve converted the shower into a closet for storage. At night, we sleep in a king-sized bed,” Tessa said, with a hint of pride. Glamping, as she calls it! It’s a weird mix of rustic charm and modern comforts, but it’s their new way of life for now. They’re not just surviving; they’re trying their best to feel at home, even in a trailer.
But navigating life in a campground comes with challenges. They’ve had to switch campsites several times, and it’s exhausting. It’s like constantly being on the move without a real destination. “It’s not easy,” Tessa remarked. “But we’re making it as homey as we can.” Words that resonate with anyone who’s ever had to deal with uncertainty in their housing situation.
Moving Forward and Healing
Despite the pain, there’s an undeniable strength in Tessa’s spirit. The Santanas are committed to not only surviving but rebuilding. With Leonardo planning to return to work soon, the couple is now looking toward the future. They’re saving up, dreaming of either buying or building a new home one day. The thought alone conjures up visions of new beginnings.
In the midst of this chaos, it’s impressive how they manage to focus on what’s to come. “We hope to at least be renting a place by the time the snow flies,” Tessa says, with that touch of cautious optimism. And why not? Hope is what keeps us moving forward, isn’t it? I recall my own family’s experience after losing our childhood home—will all the love we had, we built a new one stronger than the last. It takes time, but healing is possible.
Still, I think of Tessa’s tough choice to put her family’s needs over insurance and, although I sympathize, the reality hits hard—how many other families face the same sacrifice? The Santanas’ story highlights an unsettling trend: how many people must endure the wilderness of hardship because of choices dictated by financial insecurity?
Why It Matters: The Bigger Picture
Understanding the Santanas’ situation helps us grasp the larger implications of the insurance gap. It’s not just numbers on a piece of paper. It’s real people, real lives, and real towns facing the fallout of wildfires and changing climates. Sure, we know the weather’s been erratic, but nobody truly anticipates the fallout until disaster strikes. When the stakes are high, the effects ripple through entire communities. Just think about it—a world where families might feel they can’t afford insurance simply because they’re trying to keep their lives together is concerning.
“Insurance isn’t just a safety net,” Bakos states. “It’s a lifeline for continuity.” And it could very well make or break many families in the throes of recovery from disasters. I mean, can you imagine having to start over? It’s not just about rebuilding a house; it’s about rebuilding lives.
At the end of the day, we need to raise awareness and tackle the root causes behind such tough choices—so that families like the Santanas don’t have to risk their futures due to a lack of resources. And we need to offer all the support we can to help communities build resilience against these unpredictable disasters. How do we do that? Well, that’s a conversation for another time.
FAQ: Surrounding the Insurance Gap
What is the “insurance gap”?
The insurance gap refers to the difference between insured losses and uninsured losses. For every dollar in insured losses, there are often $3 to $4 in uninsured losses incurred by homeowners, businesses, and local governments.
How can homeowners protect their properties against wildfires?
Homeowners can adopt various fire-smart strategies, like moving combustible materials away from their houses and using fire-resistant siding and roofing. Some adaptations could reduce the chances of your home burning down by up to 75 percent!
What should families consider when financially planning for emergencies?
Families should prioritize not just food and basic necessities, but also elements like insurance when budgeting for emergencies. Being proactive may provide valuable security in case of unexpected disasters.
How are communities impacted by uninsured losses?
Uninsured losses can strain local and provincial government resources, affecting budgets for crucial services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, ultimately impacting the well-being of the community as a whole.
What can I do to support affected families?
One of the best ways to support families affected by disasters is to raise awareness about available resources. Community initiatives, fundraising events, and educational programs can help those in need.
