The California Department of Insurance (CDI) joined forces with other state agencies to create a new wildfire insurance framework for both insurers and policyholders to consider.
The interagency partnership saw CDI cooperate with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Together, the agencies took a “ground up” approach in developing the framework by meeting with first responders, consumers, and researchers.
According to the “Safer from Wildfires” framework, there are three levels of protection to carefully consider when it comes to wildfires – the structure of the property, the immediate surroundings, and the community. It prescribes community-wide approaches that can help mitigate the spread of wildfires to other homes and businesses, such as ensuring properties have a Class-A Fire-rated roof; removing combustible sheds from the immediate surrounding of homes; and having a clearly-defined boundary and local risk assessment in consultation with the local fire district.
“I am using every tool available to protect Californians while reducing the risk of wildfires,” said California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara. “Making homes and businesses safer from wildfires protects all Californians, saving lives, reducing losses, and making insurance more available and affordable for all.”
“Today's announcement is an important step forward in providing clear guidance to homeowners and insurance companies alike on the actions they can take to keep their properties safe,” added CalOES director Mark Ghilarducci.
“Our wildfire strategy continues to stress the need to ensure communities are prepared for wildfire by building and retrofitting homes with ember resistant materials, while ensuring they have defensible space with a minimum of 100-feet clearance from dry vegetation,” commented CAL FIRE acting director and state fire marshal chief Mike Richwine.
CDI said that this is the first time California’s state agencies have been brought together to identify wildfire safety action plans for both insurance companies and policyholders.
The Safer from Wildfires framework is accessible to anyone and can be downloaded from the CDI’s website.
