Using Cal Fire to determine how you should be managing your home’s wildfire risk?
While Cal Fire is a good resource, the truth is your insurance company could be using a much stricter standard. If you were cancelled and are trying to purchase your next homeowner’s insurance policy, then it’s important to know what to expect so you can buy your next one.
Start with the FEMA Checklist
A great place to begin your risk-reduction efforts is the FEMA “Avoiding Wildfire Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners”. While every property is unique, the FEMA checklist offers proven best practices to help maintain compliance with insurance guidelines and local fire codes.
FEMA :Wildfire Checklist for Homeowners
From creating a defensible space around your home to reducing flammable items near exterior walls, following FEMA’s recommendations helps ensure you’re doing everything possible to reduce the impact of a potential wildfire.
Manage Vegetation Risks
All insurance carriers emphasize the importance of maintained vegetation. Neglected greenery can act like kindling around your home, making your property vulnerable to even a small spark. Here’s what insurers typically expect:
- Tree Trimming:
- No overhanging branches or limbs within 10 feet of your roof.
- Lower limbs on taller trees should be pruned to avoid creating a “fire ladder.”
- Healthy & Green Shrubs:
- Keep shrubs watered, well-maintained, and free from dead or dying branches.
- If you can’t properly maintain them, removal is often required.
- Mowed & Watered Lawns:
- Overgrown grass quickly becomes tinder during hot, dry conditions.
- Regular watering (where permitted) helps reduce fire spread.
- Remove Invasive Vegetation:
- Certain plants like manzanita or scotch broom burn easily.
- Insurance carriers often list these species in their underwriting guidelines.
- Create a 30-Foot Safety Zone:
- Both FEMA and Cal Fire recommend maintaining a defensible space of about 30 feet around the house.
- This zone should be free of dense vegetation, wood piles, and other flammable materials.
Remember: The primary goal is to keep combustible materials away from the structure. While it’s not necessary to have a bare yard, managing and spacing out your landscaping is crucial.
Manage Your Home Exterior
Insurance underwriters look at more than just your yard. They also note how you maintain exterior areas that can ignite easily.
- BBQ and Grilling Safety:
- Set up grills or BBQ pits on non-flammable surfaces such as concrete or gravel.
- Keep them away from wood decks, siding, or eaves.
- Firewood Storage:
- Wood piles should be stored at least 30 feet from any structures—or in a shed with a proper fire barrier.
- Roof & Gutter Maintenance:
- Clear leaves, pine needles, acorns, and other debris regularly.
- Check for cracked shingles or loose flashing, which can expose underlying materials.
- Ground-Level Debris:
- Rake and remove leaf litter, pine needles, and other flammable buildup from around your foundation.
- General Clean-Up:
- Remove excess trash, clutter, or abandoned vehicles from your property.
- An annual chimney sweep is recommended if you have a functioning fireplace.
By keeping flammable items away from your walls and roofline, you reduce your property’s ignition risk—one of the key metrics insurers evaluate when deciding your coverage eligibility.
Real-Life Examples: Overcoming Insurance Challenges
“I Don’t Want to Remove My Landscaping”
A common issue arises when valuable or sentimental landscaping conflicts with insurer requirements. For instance:
- Case Study: A homeowner had a beautiful Chinese maple located within 10 feet of the property. Their insurer wanted it gone.
- Solution: The homeowner’s insurance agent documented how well-maintained and minimally flammable the tree was, ultimately convincing the carrier to allow it. Note: Such exceptions are rare.
Tip: Plan new plantings with growth potential in mind. Even if a tree sits within your 30-foot zone, it might become non-compliant as it matures.
“I Can’t Get a Tree Service to Call Me Back!”
In wildfire-prone regions, arborists and tree services are often in high demand. If you’re having trouble scheduling maintenance:
- Case Study: One homeowner contacted ten tree services without success.
- Solution: Their agent documented these attempts and kept the underwriter informed, preventing a policy cancellation while the homeowner continued to seek service.
Tip: Don’t wait until your insurer flags an issue. Proactive tree maintenance helps you stay ahead of potential cancellations or premium surcharges. Budget for an annual or biannual yard service, especially if you live in a high-risk area.
Additional Resources for Wildfire Property Maintenance
Major insurance carriers often publish wildfire-related guides and checklists to help homeowners understand and meet their underwriting guidelines.
- Grange’s FAQ for Customers with Wildfire Coverage
- The Hartford—Wildfire Safety
- Travelers – How to Help Prepare for a Wildfire
- Liberty Mutual – Wildfire preparation checklist
- Nationwide – Simple DIY Steps to Help Your Customers Increase Wildfire Readiness
Can’t find the answer to a specific question? You can call your local fire captain.
Be Proactive
Proactive communication can go a long way. Keep your insurance agent or broker informed of any changes to your property. These are professionals who can answer your questions about your home and situation and help you to have the best possible chance of maintaining your homeowners insurance while living in a high wildfire risk area.
Key Takeaways
- Budget for Ongoing Maintenance: Arborists, yard service companies, and tree services are crucial allies in wildfire mitigation.
- Document Your Efforts: If you run into delays or contractor shortages, keep your insurance carrier in the loop.
- Adhere to Defensible Space Guidelines: The 30-foot zone around your home should remain as clear of flammable materials as possible.
- Avoid Complacency: Even if your property passed inspection once, vegetation grows and conditions change. Make a habit of frequent checks.
Corey Elsasser
