Coconino County officials heard from the insurance industry Tuesday as the county struggles to find ways for homeowners to keep their property insurance and their homes safe from wildfire.
The county’s residents are in the top 4% of the nation for wildfire risk. Some face increases of 300% on their homeowner’s insurance. And it’s not just those living in the forest; it’s also those living in the area’s grasslands. Those were the warnings that officials shared ahead of a presentation by the insurance industry.
Ethan Aumann with American Property Casualty Insurance Association said the industry is turning to mitigation as the long-term solution.
"What’s increasingly clear from researching this example is that mitigation can result in a meaningful decrease in losses which when done at scale should positively impact the availability and affordability of insurance for consumers," he said.
He said keeping homes protected from embers and clearing debris remain a top way to reduce wildfire risks.
He said the industry has returned to some areas after homes were rebuilt using higher standards. The town of Paradise, California, was nearly destroyed in a massive 2018 fire.
"They’re actually the first community in California to adopt the wildfire prepared home framework into their local ordinance and are requiring all new and rebuilt homes to meet and maintain this designation," Aumann said.
The standards were established by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, which focuses on mitigation and defensible space.
