Understanding Wildfire Risk Scores: What You Need to Know!
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WILDFIRE AND BRUSHFIRE RISK Q&A
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Q: What Is A Wildfire/Brushfire Risk Score?
A wildfire/brushfire risk score is a written system used to determine a community’s relative risk of experiencing any
type of wildfire or brush fire. While underwriting your homeowners insurance policy, your insurance company may
consider two scores:
1. The National Risk Index: This score shows each community’s expected building and population loss relative
to other U.S. communities. Your area’s score is based on a number of factors, including location, terrain,
vegetation and weather. You can view the score for your area by visiting https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/w....
2. Insurance Company Risk Models: In addition to The National Risk Index, some insurance companies use their
own proprietary models to rate wildfire/brushfire risk based on their own models and claim data.
Q: Why Is My Score So High?
Sometimes people are surprised to learn that their property has a high wildfire/brushfire risk score. People often
assume they have a low risk because they don’t live in a wooded or rural area. However, as the Los Angeles area
wildfires have shown, even residential areas can be at risk. Your score my be high due to a variety of reasons,
such as:
• Proximity to High-Risk Areas
• Weather Patterns and Wind
• Building Materials
• Surrounding Vegetation and Dry Brush
Q: How Do Insurance Companies Use Risk Scores?
When you apply for a new homeowners policy, or when your
current policy is renewing, your insurance company may use The
National Risk Index or its own proprietary risk score as part of
the underwriting process.
• A low score is good news! Your house has a relatively low
risk of wildfire/brushfire, and this can help you secure more
affordable insurance rates.
• A moderate score could result in higher premiums, because
your home has a higher chance of incurring damages due
to wildfires or bruchfires.
• A high score can create insurance placement challenges. In
some cases, insurers may decide your risk is too high, and
they can refuse to offer coverage or send a non-renewal
notice on your current policy. This is especially common in
high-risk states like California, Florida, Colorado and Texas.
Q: What Should I Do if I Get a Cancellation Notice or Rate Hike?
Don’t panic! You still have options – especially if you have RIGHTSURE by your side.
If you have received a non-renewal or rate hike notice from your insurance company, reach out to RIGHTSURE immediately.
Our Famously Friendly Humans are experts at helping homeowners secure coverage despite challenges – but it takes time, creative thinking and connections.
It may take 8-10 business days, so do not procrastinate! As soon as you are aware of a potential issue, reach out to us for free guidance and assistance.
We will help you navigate your options to find the best coverage. With access to 40+ carriers, there is a good chance that we can help you find an option.
Reducing Your Risk
Although you can’t alter the weather patterns or surrounding areas, you can
make your property more defensible against wildfires.
Common measures include keeping the area around your home free of combustible material, cleaning your gutters regularly, and covering your vents with metal mesh to keep out embers.
FEMA has more tips on how to Protect Your Property from Wildfires.
Ember Defense offers a number of DIY wildfire defense solutions.
Option 1: Appeal
You can file an appeal with your insurance company if you think the decision is a mistake or in violation of state rules.
Option 2: Switch Companies
Even if one insurance company decides to non-renew, another insurer may be happy to offer coverage.
Option 3: Use the FAIR Plan
Some states have a Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, also known as a state’s insurer of last resort, to ensure that every property has access to coverage.