New Regulations to Reward Fire Risk Reduction

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announces new regulations to improve wildfire safety and drive down cost of insurance. Under the proposed regulations, which could be in effect by this summer, insurance companies would be required to factor consumers’ and businesses’ wildfire safety actions into their pricing of residential and commercial coverage. The new regulations also will provide consumers with transparency about their “wildfire risk score” that insurance companies assign to properties. These regulations address complaints Commissioner Lara heard from many consumers and businesses across the state that insurance companies are unwilling to account for steps taken to harden their properties and communities against wildfire, lowering their risk of loss and damage.

“By rewarding homeowners and businesses for the wildfire safety actions they take, these regulations will be a huge assist to our efforts to prevent the severe loss of life and property from wildfires like we saw in the devastating Thomas Fire and debris flow that followed,” said Montecito Fire Chief Kevin Taylor, who testified at the investigatory hearing the Department of Insurance held in October 2020. “I am glad to see the state supporting local communities like ours with wildfire safety programs like this.” 

The Commissioner will hold a public hearing for you to comment on these proposed regulations. We encourage you to attend and speak. The hearing will be held on April 13, 2022, at 1 pm. Email us at info@montecitoassociation.org for more details.

Under the proposed regulations, which could be in effect by this summer, insurance companies would be required to factor consumers’ and businesses’ wildfire safety actions into their pricing of residential and commercial coverage.

Leave the Campfires at Home 

Good news on the trail front! U.S. Forest Service has banned fires in the mountainous front country. We’ve been seeking relief from the overwhelm of visitors to the Hot Springs and Cold Spring trails who’ve not shown concern for the natural resources, the community, or fire dangers. This announcement could provide some welcome assistance. Effective Feb 25, 2022 through Feb 24, 2024, the order bans cooking fires and campfires on National Forest System lands within the Fire Use Restriction Areas. That terrain is quite large, as you can see from the map below.