What wildfire discounts must California insurers give?

Under the state's Safer from Wildfires rules, insurers must offer discounts for a Class A fire-rated roof, enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents, multi-pane windows, 6 inches of noncombustible material at the base of exterior walls, a 5-foot ember-resistant zone, defensible space, and living in a Firewise USA or Fire Risk Reduction community.

What is a Wildfire Prepared Home?

A certification from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) that a home meets a set of wildfire-hardening standards. It typically earns the largest discounts, and some insurers write or renew certified homes they otherwise wouldn't.

Does the FAIR Plan give wildfire discounts?

Yes. The FAIR Plan's own mitigation discounts can lower the wildfire part of the premium by up to 16.4% when all of them apply (its list effective November 2025).

Safer from Wildfires: the discounts California insurers must give

Updated October 26, 2026 · From the California Department of Insurance, the California FAIR Plan Association and other public records · Our data

Since October 2022, California's "Safer from Wildfires" rules require every home insurer to offer discounts for specific wildfire mitigation, and to tell you your wildfire risk score. Here's the list, in the order most people tackle it.

Around the house

A 5-foot ember-resistant zone: nothing that burns within 5 feet of the house: no bark mulch, wood fences or gates touching the house, or dense plants against the walls.
Defensible space cleared to state law, out to 100 feet (or the property line).
Sheds and outbuildings that burn moved at least 30 feet away, and debris cleared from under decks.

The house itself

Class A fire-rated roof (most asphalt shingle, tile and metal roofs).
Ember-resistant vents (1/8-inch mesh or rated vents).
Enclosed eaves.
Multi-pane windows or fire shutters.
6 inches of noncombustible material at the base of exterior walls.

Your community

Living in a Firewise USA site or a Fire Risk Reduction Community earns its own discount. Ask your county or fire department whether yours qualifies.

Wildfire Prepared Home

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) certifies homes that meet a full set of these standards. Certification usually earns the largest discounts, and some insurers write or renew certified homes they otherwise wouldn't. Several insurers' recent filings tie new business or renewal guarantees to it; see Insurance companies.

On the FAIR Plan?

The FAIR Plan has its own list, effective November 2025: completing all of its mitigation steps can cut the wildfire part of the premium by up to 16.4%. Ask your broker to apply them at renewal.

How to get the discount

Take dated photos and keep receipts for every item.
Ask your insurer which discounts it gives and what proof it needs.
Ask for your wildfire risk score; insurers must share it and explain how to improve it.
After the work, ask the insurer to re-rate the home, and shop it if they won't.

Common questions

What wildfire discounts must California insurers give?: Under the state's Safer from Wildfires rules, insurers must offer discounts for a Class A fire-rated roof, enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents, multi-pane windows, 6 inches of noncombustible material at the base of exterior walls, a 5-foot ember-resistant zone, defensible space, and living in a Firewise USA or Fire Risk Reduction community.
What is a Wildfire Prepared Home?: A certification from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) that a home meets a set of wildfire-hardening standards. It typically earns the largest discounts, and some insurers write or renew certified homes they otherwise wouldn't.
Does the FAIR Plan give wildfire discounts?: Yes. The FAIR Plan's own mitigation discounts can lower the wildfire part of the premium by up to 16.4% when all of them apply (its list effective November 2025).

Check a specific home. Type any California address for its fire and flood zones, who's writing there and what to do next: free home report. Questions? Ask Shirley.

More guides

Who's still writing home insurance in California (October 2026)Which big insurers are taking new customers, which are closed, and who's about to reopen.
California FAIR Plan (October 2026): what it covers, what it costs, how to get off itThe state's insurer of last resort, in plain English, with current costs by area.
Why California home insurance went up, and how to lower yoursWhat's driving premiums, the rate increases the state approved, and what actually lowers the price.
Buying a home in a California fire zone: the insurance checklistWhat to check before your offer and before contingencies come off.

Insureability is not an insurance company, agency or broker and doesn't recommend insurers. This guide is general information from public records, not insurance or legal advice; your policy and the Department of Insurance are the authority.