Triple-I: Wildfire Preparedness Critical as Summer Nears

For immediate release
West Coast Press Office: Janet Ruiz, 707-490-9365, janetr@iii.org 

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif., May 30, 2023—The 2023 California wildfire season’s peak is expected to occur between August and November because the state’s exceptionally wet winter has likely delayed its start, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

Yet portions of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington face a higher risk of wildfires earlier in the summer following a winter that was drier in those states than the historical average, AccuWeather reported recently,

“The U.S. has incurred a significant loss of life and property damage over the past five years due to wildfires in multiple states,” stated California-based Janet Ruiz, Director, Strategic Communications, Triple-I.  “Everyone who lives in a wildfire-prone community should make sure they have adequate financial protection for their property and possessions while also taking steps to make their home or business more resilient to the impacts of wildfire.”

With summer starting on Wednesday, June 21, Triple-I offers these four wildfire preparedness tips:

Review Your Insurance Coverage.  Damage caused by fire and smoke is covered under standard homeowners, condominium, and renters insurance policies. Standard homeowners and condominium owners insurance policies cover wildfire-caused property damage to a property’s structure and its outbuildings (e.g., garage) as well as the personal belongings housed on the premises. A renters insurance policy covers the tenant’s personal belongings. Water damage caused by firefighters extinguishing a fire is covered under homeowners, condominium, and renters insurance policies. 

Protect Your Vehicles.  Comprehensive, an optional auto insurance coverage, protects vehicles against fire-caused damage, as well as theft and damage caused by an incident other than a collision, including floods, vandalism, hail, falling rocks or trees, and other hazards. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. drivers opt to purchase comprehensive coverage.

Make Sure Your Possessions are Adequately Protected.  Residents need to imagine the out-of-pocket cost of repurchasing their damaged furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal possessions after a wildfire. Whether you have homeowners insurance, condominium insurance or renters insurance, your policy provides protection against loss or damage to personal property due to a wildfire.

Make Your Property More Resilient.  Take advantage of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home program to make your home resistant to wildfires while also following the advice of Firewise USA.  Years of scientific research has illustrated the importance of creating defensible space around a home.  It protects a home from the embers generated by wildfires.

Moreover, Triple-I’s Resilience Accelerator uses advanced data analytics to create tools that empower residents, businesses, and policymakers to build more resilient communities. It also demonstrates the power of insurance as a force for resilience by telling the story of how insurance coverage helps communities recover faster and more completely after a natural disaster.

RELATED LINKS:

Article:                         Wildfires: Insurance and Recovery Resources

Facts & Statistics:       Wildfires

Video:                          Wildfire Claims & Insurance