One of our members just received an email from CSAA, their homeowner’s insurance company, recommending them to get IBHS certification, and to specifically:
- set up a zone 0 around their home bereft of vegetation and combustibles
- install vents and gutter screens
- keep their roof clean and well maintained
They mention that IBHS certification can “Help ensure your policy won’t be non-renewed due to wildfire-damage risk”.
The full email follows.
SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME AGAINST WILDFIRE
[Here name of insured party]
Thank you for being a AAA Home Insurance policyholder.
Your home is likely your biggest asset and you’re probably looking for additional ways to protect it, especially since you live in an area with a higher risk of wildfires. You’ve also probably heard that many insurance companies aren’t renewing policies for homeowners in these locations.
We’ve got good news. You can use hardening measures to minimize the risk of wildfire damage to your home and avoid potential nonrenewal of your AAA Home Insurance policy due to wildfire risk*. Here are five of those measures from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS):
Create a 0-5 foot home buffer
Move anything that could catch fire away from exterior walls, decks, and porches, including ALL vegetation, grass or turf, mulch, wood or vinyl fencing and any stored items including furniture. Check your vents and eaves
Install ember-resistant vents or cover existing vents with 1/8 inch or finer metal mesh and make sure that your eaves are enclosed. Clear your roof
Regularly check and maintain your roof and gutters, clearing them of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles. Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles. The goal is to stop embers from being trapped and starting a fire.
Follow these and other IBHS home-hardening steps and you’ll be better equipped to protect your home against the threat of wildfire. You could also be eligible for the Wildfire Prepared Home Base certification which will:
- Help ensure your policy won’t be non-renewed due to wildfire-damage risk*
- Show that you’ve successfully prepared your property
- Possibly qualify you for special AAA Insurance discounts
For more information about how to get started protecting your property from the threat of wildfires, funding assistance resources, landscape design ideas, and much more visit http://csaa-insurance.aaa.com/myresilienthome.
*Refers specifically to non-renewal due to wildfire risk. In addition to achieving IBHS certification, policyholders must still meet all policy renewal requirements and conditions, including property maintenance and premium payments.