What is a Wildfire Risk Score and How Does it Affect My Home Insurance?

It's Important to Note: Every Home has a wildfire score, which is a statistical model that determines how exposed a property is to potential wildfire. Mapping is done by FEMA and include location, terrain, vegetation and weather.

While some insurance companies create their own wildfire risk score by looking at similar models to determine the overall disaster risk. Generally, the higher the wildfire risk, the higher a homeowners insurance premium may be.

However, some insurance companies may determine that a home's wildfire risk is too great and will simply refuse coverage

ABOUT FEMA and how they determine a NATINAL WILDFIRE RISK INDEX SCORE.

FEMA's National Wildfire Risk Index is a score, rating, and overall wildfire risk map that represents "a community's relative risk for Wildfires when compared to the rest of the United States." Some insurance companies create their own wildfire risk score by looking at similar models to determine the overall disaster risk.

Generally, the higher the wildfire risk, the higher a homeowners insurance premium may be. However, some insurance companies may determine that a home's wildfire risk is too great and will simply refuse coverage. This practice is common in states such as California, Colorado, and Texas, which the Insurance Information Institute ranks as the top three states for homes at risk for extreme wildfires.

What to do if you get a cancellation or notice of a rate hike due to your Wildfire or Fire Risk Score?

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 insurer, reach out to RIGHTSURE immediately. Call or text us at 520-917-5295.

Our Famously Friendly Humans are experts at helping homeowners secure coverage despite challenges – but it takes time, creative thinking and connections.