FIRE INSURANCE

This page provides guidance for homeowners who have lost coverage, need to meet renewal conditions, or are looking to reduce their wildfire insurance costs.

United Policy Holders

If your insurer has dropped you, issued renewal conditions, or your premiums have become unaffordable, visit United Policyholders for guidance, resources, and support.

"United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and a respected voice for consumers of all types of insurance across the United States. We don’t sell insurance or take money from insurance companies. We give you the straight scoop….Guide you on buying insurance and navigating claims…Fight for your rights."

Discount Regulation

The California Mitigation in Rating Plans and Wildfire Risk Models regulation, enacted on September 1, 2022 (REG-2020-00015), states that no insurer shall use a rating plan that does not take into account and reflect the following mandatory factors for the house and attached deck being evaluated:

Community-level mitigation designations:

• Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry [All Serrano homes comply]

• Firewise USA Site in Good Standing [All Serrano homes comply]

Immediate surroundings:

• Clearing of vegetation and debris from under decks

• Clearing of vegetation, debris, mulch, stored combustible materials, and any and all movable combustible objects from the area within five (5) feet

• Incorporation of only noncombustible materials into that portion of any improvements to the property including fences and gates, which is situated within five (5) feet

• Removal or absence of combustible structures, including sheds and other outbuildings, from the area within thirty (30) feet

• Whether the property complies with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code and any applicable local ordinances governing defensible space. (100 feet of defensible space but not beyond the property line)

Building hardening measures:

• Class-A Fire Rated Roof [All Serrano homes comply]

• Enclosed Eave

• Fire-Resistant Vents

• Multipane windows, including dual pane windows, or functional shutters, which, when closed, cover the entire window and do not have openings [All Serrano homes comply]

• At least six (6) inches of noncombustible vertical clearance at the bottom of the exterior surface of the building, measured from the ground up [All Serrano homes comply]

Warning: Insurance companies may offer different discount schedules, but all must comply with state regulations.

Fair Plan Discounts

To promote wildfire resilience and support insurance availability, the California Fair Plan offers discounts to Dwelling Fire policyholders who take steps to make their properties safer from wildfires. Policyholders may see a discount of up to 16.4% off the wildfire portion of their policy premium.

Serrano homeowners already qualify for 3 of the 10 Immediate Surrounding and Structure discounts:

• Class-A Fire Rated roof

• Multi-paned windows

• 6 inches at the bottom of all exterior walls made of non-combustible material

Serrano homeowners also qualify for additional discounts when all 10 are met because Serrano is a Firewise USA Site in Good Standing, and El Dorado County is a Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry.

Click HERE to view the latest California Fair Plan discount schedule.

IBHS Certification

Some insurance companies require the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certification as a condition of renewal. Their discount schedule reflects this condition.