In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of residents facing difficulties in maintaining or obtaining homeowners insurance due to wildfire risk assessments conducted by insurance companies. As your local fire district, we understand the stress and uncertainty this situation creates. However, it is important to note that the Storey County Fire Protection District has no control over the decisions made by the insurance industry.
The fire service profession follows nationally recognized standards and best practices to protect life, property, and the environment. Unfortunately, these standards do not always align with the criteria used by insurance companies to evaluate wildfire risk. While some insurers incorporate fire district resources and response capabilities into their assessments, many rely heavily on broad-scale risk models that do not always reflect the specific conditions of an individual property or the mitigation efforts made by homeowners.
Despite these challenges, we are committed to helping our community members take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk and potentially improve their insurance eligibility. SCFPD offers several programs that may assist residents in meeting some of their insurance company’s requirements, including:
- You Call, We Haul Program – This initiative allows residents to remove hazardous vegetation and fuels from their property, helping to create defensible space and improve fire resilience.
- Courtesy 30' Clearance Evaluations – Our team provides evaluations and guidance to help homeowners ensure their property meets defensible space recommendations. While these evaluations do not guarantee insurance approval, they can provide documentation of mitigation efforts that some insurers may consider.
- Fire Hazard Risk Mapping & ISO Rating Information – We encourage residents to view their property’s wildfire risk assessment using the Nevada Wildfire Risk Map. Additionally, we have included a copy of our district’s ISO rating, which in some instances has helped homeowners retain their coverage.
We understand that dealing with insurance challenges can be frustrating, and we want you to know that SCFPD is here to provide guidance, resources, and support to help you navigate this process.
While we cannot change the policies of private insurance companies, we remain dedicated to enhancing wildfire safety and resilience in our community.
For more information on our wildfire mitigation programs or to schedule a courtesy clearance evaluation, please contact us at 775-847-0954.
Together, we can take steps to protect our homes, our community, and our way of life.
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