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Why Are Some Benson Homeowners Losing Coverage Over Volunteer Fire Protection—And What Can You Do About It?

9 June 2025

Fast-reference guide for residents of Benson and rural Cochise County in Arizona.

What’s Happening in 2025?

  • Non-renewals and steep surcharges are hitting homes more than five miles from a staffed fire station.
  • Average homeowners premiums in volunteer-served zones rose roughly 18 % at renewal this spring.
  • Wildfire deductibles of $5 k–$10 k are now common on properties in the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI).

Why Are Volunteer Departments a Red Flag for Insurers?

  • ISO Public Protection Class (PPC) 9 or 10 ratings signal longer response times and limited water supply.
  • Claim severity trend: Average wildfire payouts in Arizona have tripled since 2018.
  • Reinsurance costs: Global reinsurers priced Arizona’s wildfire risk higher for 2025 treaties, forcing carriers to tighten guidelines.

Who Is Most Affected?

  • Homes more than 1,000 feet from a hydrant or without a 2,500-gallon water source.
  • Properties with Class-C or wood-shake roofs older than 15 years.
  • Residents relying on volunteer fire departments for primary response—common across rural Benson.

Where Are Premiums Highest?

  • Whetstone and St. David outskirts: Dense brush and narrow access roads raise wildfire scores.
  • WUI parcels east of AZ-90: heavier fuel loads push ISO ratings toward 10.

When Should You Act?

  • At least 60 days before renewal—gives time to present mitigation proof to underwriters.
  • Immediately after home upgrades (new roof, cleared defensible space) to request mid-term credits.
  • Before escrow closes on a rural home purchase—verify insurability before you sign.

How Can You Keep Your Home Insured—Without Breaking the Bank?

  • Create 100 ft of defensible space: Clear brush, trim trees, install ember-resistant vents.
  • Upgrade to Class-A fire-resistant roofing—often cuts wildfire surcharges by 10-15 %.
  • Install a 2,500-gallon water tank or dry hydrant; share cost with neighbors to improve ISO score.
  • Join or start a Firewise USA® community; many carriers offer 5–10 % credits for certified neighborhoods.
  • Ask about surplus-lines options if admitted carriers decline—then plan mitigation to move back to a standard market later.
  • Consider a higher all-peril deductible ($2.5 k vs. $1 k) to offset wildfire-specific surcharges.

Key Take-Aways for Benson Homeowners

  • Volunteer fire coverage gaps are the main reason for non-renewals in 2025.
  • Mitigation proof—roof upgrades, water supply, and defensible space—often persuades carriers to stay.
  • Early shopping and risk-reduction work are cheaper than last-minute surplus-lines placements.

Sources

Concerned about a pending non-renewal? Contact Inszone’s Benson team for a free wildfire-risk check-up before your policy expires.

Jeremy Robichaud - Inszone Insurance Personal Insurance Specialist

Jeremy Robichaud

Personal Insurance Specialist

Jeremy Robichaud is a Personal Insurance Specialist at Inszone Insurance Services, joining Inszone in February 2024. With a diverse background in customer service industries, Jeremy transitioned from being a licensed real estate agent for a few years to becoming a licensed insurance agent, writing policies for a national insurance carrier before joining the Inszone team.

Jeremy is enthusiastic about serving his local community for the foreseeable future. In his free time, he finds joy in gardening and tending to his array of animals, which includes goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Additionally, he cherishes moments spent with his wife, kids, and grandchild.

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