Many areas in California are currently facing emergency situations due to wildfires raging out of control, yet insurance companies are withdrawing from the California market, leaving many residents unable to purchase home insurance. In response, the California Department of Insurance recommends residents take fundamental steps to avoid wildfires more safely, increasing their chances of obtaining suitable home insurance and related discounts.
This year, wildfires in California have been relentless, with over 760,000 acres burned so far and over 600 homes reduced to ashes. Residents living in high-risk wildfire areas place a strong emphasis on home insurance.
However, since last year, major insurance companies have been exiting the California market due to rapidly increasing disaster risks, challenges in the reinsurance market, and other reasons, some no longer accepting new policies.
Ricardo Lara, the Commissioner of the California Department of Insurance, stated at a recent meeting that the insurance industry is currently facing challenges, with some people unable to secure home insurance regardless of the circumstances – some have lost insurance even without filing a claim.
As a solution, Lara suggested that until insurance regulations are reformed, residents can take advantage of the “Safer from Wildfires” premium discount program created by the state government. By making fire safety upgrades to their homes, following these feasible steps can help save on insurance costs.
Even for residents living in high-risk wildfire areas who have home insurance, their premiums are typically much higher compared to regular home insurance.
Lara noted that with fewer insurance companies in the market, “people need more time to find home insurance if their homes are located in high wildfire risk areas, or until their homes are renovated to meet current building safety standards. Some insurance companies may refuse to compensate for older roofs, plumbing, or electrical systems.”
Therefore, it is important for residents to understand the fire safety status of their homes, make necessary improvements, upgrades, not only to secure insurance and enjoy some premium discounts but also to increase the value of their homes.
In terms of upgrading homes, the state government proposes 10 steps under the “Safer from Wildfires” plan, each action making residents eligible for insurance discounts.
Some low-cost actions include: installing non-flammable, corrosion-resistant metal screens of 1/16 to 1/8 inches on exterior vents, which help block particles and embers blown by the wind; creating defensible space within a 5-foot perimeter around the house, including removing green vegetation and fences, replacing wood chips with stones or decomposed granite, changing wooden fences adjacent to the house to metal material, all of which effectively prevent the spread of fires.
Install enclosed eaves: placing non-combustible or fire-resistant materials under the eaves helps prevent the accumulation of heat and embers igniting walls; upgrading windows: multi-layered glass windows are less likely to break in wildfires, effectively preventing flames from entering the house; clearing vegetation, weeds, and debris under decks with concrete, gravel, or bare soil to help prevent fire spread; comply with California and local defensible space laws, including trimming trees and removing bushes and debris from yards.
Other actions also involve upgrading roofs to Class A fire-resistant roofs: the state fire department has a list of tested and approved roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, concrete, clay or concrete tiles, metal tiles or sheets which are considered qualified materials, while wood shake tiles do not meet Class A fire rating standards.
Materials used for the bottom 6 inches of the house’s exterior walls should be non-combustible, including bricks, stones, fiber cement siding, or concrete to prevent embers from accumulating and igniting the walls.
Remove combustible sheds and other outdoor structures, maintain at least a 30-foot clear distance. This includes sheds, gazebos, open-sided structures with solid roofs, doghouses, and playhouses.
By understanding the Firewise USA community project sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, residents can learn how to collectively prevent fires within their communities.