Proposed regulations to require insurance companies to consider wildfire risk mitigation factors in establishing their rating plans

 California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced regulations on February 25th, 2022 intended to require insurance companies to consider wildfire risk mitigation factors in establishing their rating plans.

If adopted, these proposed regulations would require insurance companies to take into account work you’ve done on your property and modifications to your home that reduce wildfire risk. It would also require insurers to provide mitigation and wildfire risk information to applicants and policy holders and to provide a process by which applicants and policy holders may appeal a wildfire risk score or classification assigned by the insurer. In other words, these regulations would require insurance companies to provide more specific information you can use to reduce your wildfire risk and/or have conversations with them about your property and measures you’ve adopted to reduce risk. 

The Public Hearing announcement includes a list of insurers that are offering discounts.  Note that a number of the companies listed look at whether you’re in a Fire Wise community or a Shelter in Place community. I believe Yosemite West is the only Fire Wise community in Mariposa County, so I’ll be reaching out to other communities in District 1 to discuss the process.

These regulations will be considered at a public hearing scheduled for April 13, 2022 at 1:00 pm. Here’s is a link to register for that hearing.

You can submit written comments by letter or email to Daniel Wade, Senior Staff Counsel, Rate Enforcement Bureau, 1901 Harrison Street, 6th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: (415) 538-4158 Email: daniel.wade@insurance.ca.gov Comments must be received by 5:00 pm on April 13th.