With wildfire seasons growing longer and more destructive across the western United States, homeowners must take proactive steps to protect both their property and their insurance coverage. Insurers are increasingly non-renewing policies in high-risk areas, making preparedness essential for maintaining affordable coverage.
Start by creating a defensible space around your home. Clear dead vegetation, trim tree branches within 10 feet of your chimney, and remove flammable materials like wood piles and propane tanks from within 30 feet of structures. Use fire-resistant landscaping materials such as gravel, rock, and stone mulch instead of bark or wood chips.
Hardening your home is equally important. Install Class A fire-rated roofing materials, double-pane tempered glass windows, and non-combustible siding like stucco or fiber cement. Cover vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh to prevent embers from entering your attic or crawl space.
Document your property thoroughly. Take photos and videos of every room, including closets, drawers, and storage areas. Keep receipts for major purchases and store digital copies in a secure cloud location. This documentation will be invaluable if you need to file a claim.
Review your insurance policy annually to ensure your dwelling limits reflect current rebuilding costs. Many homeowners are underinsured because they haven’t updated their coverage to account for inflation and rising construction material prices. Consider adding Ordinance or Law coverage to cover the cost of bringing your home up to current building codes during rebuilding.