A recent article published by UCCE Fire Director, Yan Valachovic, outlines key issues facing California property owners. Recently, State Farm, California's largest home insurance company, announced they will stop issuing new home insurance policies in California. Allstate did the same thing last year. Over 43,000 structures have been lost to wildfire over the last decade in California.
There is hope!
While California’s policymakers and insurance commissioner debate the best approach to this problem (currently ongoing) there are still actions you can take that will help to entice insurance companies to underwrite your property.
According to Yana “By marketing the value of these actions, just like the remodeled kitchen or other property upgrades that attract homebuyers, you can market your asset to future insurance companies and buyers.”
The more you do, the more you save! These actions will qualify you for an insurance discount!
Understand and mitigate wildfire risks by reducing fuels around your structures, and hardening the exterior of your structures to heat, flame, and ember exposure.
Sign up for programs such as Safer From Wildfires, the Wildfire Prepared Home designation, or Firewise.
Learn the 10 steps to being Safer from Wildfires from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo LarA:
Class-A fire-rated roof – Most roofs qualify including asphalt shingles, concrete, brick, or masonry tiles, and metal shingles or sheets. Wood shake shingles are not Class A fire-resistant rated. The Office of the State Fire Marshal maintains a list of tested and approved materials at its website.
5-foot ember-resistant zone, including fencing – Removing greenery and replacing wood chips with stone or decomposed granite 5 feet around your home prevents fire from getting a foot in the door. Replacing wood fencing connecting to your home with metal is critical because it can act like a candle wick leading fire straight to your home.
Ember and fire-resistant vents – Installing 1/16 to 1/8-inch noncombustible, corrosion-resistant metal mesh screens over exterior vents can keep wind-blown embers out of your house.
Non-combustible 6 inches at the bottom of exterior walls – Having a minimum of 6 vertical inches measured from the ground up and from any attached horizontal surface like a deck can stop embers from accumulating and igniting your walls. Noncombustible materials include brick, stone, fiber-cement siding or concrete.
Enclosed eaves – Installing soffits under your eaves can prevent heat and embers from getting trapped and igniting. When enclosing eaves, non-combustible or ignition-resistant materials are recommended.
Upgraded windows – Multi-paned windows are more resistant to breaking during a wildfire, which helps keep flames from entering. Multi-paned glass or added shutters all qualify.
Cleared vegetation, weeds, and debris from under decks – Noncombustible materials like concrete, gravel, or bare soil are permitted.
Removal of combustible sheds and other outbuildings to at least a distance of 30 feet. These include sheds, gazebos, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), open covered structures with a solid roof, dog houses, and playhouses.
Defensible space compliance – following state and local laws requiring defensible space including trimming trees and removal of brush and debris from yard. See CAL FIRE’s website and your local city or county for details.
Being safer together – Safer from Wildfires recognizes two community-wide programs, Firewise USA and Fire Risk Reduction Communities.
If you need help buying insurance, check out the United Policy Holders website with their recommendations.
As we've explored in this post, there are tangible steps you can take to significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to your home. Fortunately, you don't have to do it alone. Our seasoned team is here to help you every step of the way. From creating defensible spaces around your home to offering expert slash treatments, we provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to bolster your home’s defenses against wildfires.
Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you foster a safer, more secure home environment. Call us at (707) 382-8702 to request a consultation and take the first step towards a fire-safe home today.
