My insurer dropped me because of wildfire risk in California

Your wildfire risk score

Insurers typically assign homes a wildfire risk score. Under California's Safer from Wildfires regulation, the Department of Insurance says insurers must give you that score when you apply, before a renewal or non-renewal, and on request after you finish mitigation work — with an explanation of how it was calculated.

Mitigation that qualifies for discounts

Safer from Wildfires lists ten actions in three layers, and says every one qualifies for a discount:

• The structure — Class A fire-rated roof, ember-resistant vents, multi-pane windows, enclosed eaves, a non-combustible 6-inch zone at the base of walls.
• The immediate surroundings — a 5-foot ember-resistant zone, defensible space, removing combustible sheds and trimming trees.
• The community — Firewise USA sites and Fire Risk Reduction Communities.

Keep dated photos and receipts — they support both an appeal and applications to other insurers.

If a wildfire recently hit your area

After a declared emergency, insurers may not non-renew based solely on the property being in the fire area for one year. See the active moratoria and check your ZIP.

What to do next

1. 1

   Ask for your wildfire risk score and the explanation

   If it wasn't included with the notice.
2. 2

   Document mitigation work

   Dated photos, invoices, defensible-space inspection results, Firewise membership.
3. 3

   Appeal the score if it is wrong

   In writing, with your documents. Ask CDI for help if the appeal is denied.
4. 4

   Shop in parallel, including the FAIR Plan if needed

   How the FAIR Plan works.

The notice rules still apply