Safer From Wildfires Benefits Available to You

Through a new set of rules dubbed Safer from Wildfires, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) has required insurance companies doing business in the state to provide discounts for residential property insurance when policyholders reduce their wildfire risks.

The Safer from Wildfires menu of creditable activities includes community-wide mitigation in the form of participation in such programs.

Safer From Wildfires is a free volunteer program, administered by CalFire, and is available for free to all California residents. The program is a collaborative effort between CalFire, the State of California, and the insurance companies - and was designed to give us folks in high fire areas a lifeline to future insurability.

Does my insurance company offer a wildfire risk reduction discount? 

California’s new rules come years after a few insurance companies had already voluntarily been offering discounts to their policyholders living in certified *Safer From Wildfires Neighborhoods. For customers of USAA, Mercury, and a couple of other companies, this benefit was already available.

The CDI maintains a list of all the insurers doing business in the state that offer wildfire risk reduction discounts, whether for being a Safer From Wildfires site or for meeting other criteria outlined in their program menu. 

Am I eligible for a discount?

Insurance companies have access to information about whether properties are part of a *Safer From Wildfires. Your eligibility should be determined using this data. Fire Safe Community cannot make this determination for consumers, so it’s best to contact your insurance agent or a company representative with questions about eligibility.

I am more worried about losing my insurance than getting a discount. Does wildfire risk reduction make my home more insurable?

In known high-risk areas, insurance companies are generally very interested in any wildfire loss reduction efforts that homeowners are making, especially if they fall into the categories listed in the Safer from Wildfire programs. Whether to provide insurance or not, the cost of the policy, and any discounts are all decisions of the individual insurance company, which it bases on many different factors

Consumer education professionals advise that property owners shop around for insurance, since insurance companies compete for business. CDI also provides consumer protections for property owners, including what to do if your insurer does not renew your coverage.

For more info:  **Fire Safe Community Agent  Shelly Black  (949) 697-8553 tcnoir93@gmail.com

Our Fire Safe Community Membeship fee is to participate in our community driven **Fire Safe Community. Within that Community, members are guided through proper Community Wildfire Mitigation Efforts that may result in qualifying for Recognition in Safer From Wildfire plans. 

**Fire Safe Community Disclaimer 

*Important - the Safer From Wildfires Program is a volunteer program that is free and available to all California Residents. There is no fee to participate in, or create, a Safer From Wildfires Neighborhood.

NOITCE TO ALL CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS REGARDING SAFER FROM WILDFIRES PROGRAMS

California has enacted “Safer from Wildfires” regulations that require insurance companies to recognize designated communities by providing discounts to property owners in those communities as of 10/1/24. 

What Can California Residents Do Now? 

For California residents facing insurance challenges who need to take immediate action, We recommends contacting an insurer and/or a reputable, experienced insurance agent or broker to review your options. 

The nonprofit consumer organization United Policyholders offers free guidance on shopping in today’s marketplace and reducing your home’s chances of being damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster. You can also contact the California Department of Insurance for information on state insurance regulations.

* Important - the California Safer From Wildfires is a volunteer program that is free and available to all California Residents. There is no fee to participate in, or create, a Safer From Wildfires Neighborhood. This Annual Membeship fee is to participate in our Fire Safe Community, which within that Community, members may be assisted through the process to become part of a Safer From Wildfires Neighborhood.