Insurance in High Fire Areas

As wildfires become more frequent and severe in California and other high-risk regions, many homeowners are discovering that their properties fall into what insurance companies call a “high fireline” zone. If this includes you, it can impact your ability to get or keep traditional home insurance coverage—and it’s important to understand your options before fire season begins.

🔥 What Is a Fireline Score?
Insurance companies use a fireline or wildfire risk score to assess how vulnerable your property is to wildfires. This score is based on factors like:

- Proximity to natural fuel sources (trees, brush, hillsides)
- Accessibility for fire trucks and emergency services
- Historical wildfire data in the area
- Terrain and slope of the land

The higher your fireline score, the greater the perceived risk—and the harder it can be to obtain standard coverage through traditional insurance carriers.

🚫 Why You Might Get Dropped or Denied

Even long-time homeowners are receiving non-renewal notices because their home is now considered too high-risk. Others may find that new insurance carriers are unwilling to write policies in their area, or will only offer limited coverage with higher premiums or wildfire exclusions.

 ✅ What Are Your Options?

If you live in a high fireline area, don’t panic—there are still solutions available:

1. The California FAIR Plan
This is a last-resort option designed for high-risk homes. It offers basic fire coverage, which you can pair with a separate “Differences in Conditions” (DIC) policy to add coverage for liability, theft, and water damage.

2. Surplus Lines or Specialty Carriers:
Some specialty insurers write policies specifically for wildfire zones. These carriers may not be admitted in your state but are still financially strong and reputable. Premiums may be higher, but coverage is broader than the FAIR Plan alone.

3. Home Hardening Can Help:  
Taking steps to reduce fire risk—like clearing defensible space, installing ember-resistant vents, or using fire-resistant roofing—can sometimes help lower your score or make your home more attractive to certain insurers.

🛡️ Why It’s Worth the Effort

While it might take more work and come at a higher cost, having proper insurance in a wildfire-prone area is absolutely critical. If your home is damaged or destroyed, a well-structured policy ensures you’re not facing those losses alone.

Have questions about your fireline score or coverage options? Let’s review your current policy and explore what’s available.

📞 Claudia Satori | CA Lic #0A93653  
🌐 www.catinoinsurance.com  
📧 [email protected] | 📱 805-590-7588