Many Serrano homeowners have been non-renewed and forced into the high-cost California FAIR Plan, the insurer of last resort.

Why is this happening? Insurers are pulling back or leaving California because approved rates are too low to overcome their risk of loss. The Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, is working on new regulations allowing faster and more significant rate increases.

While higher rates are inevitable, there is only one path to accessible and affordable insurance in the future: reducing wildfire risk at the property and community level.

United Policyholders

If your insurance company has dropped you or sent you a notice of renewal conditions, go to United Policyholders for information and support.

"United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and a respected voice for consumers of all types of insurance across the United States. We don’t sell insurance or take money from insurance companies. We give you the straight scoop….Guide you on buying insurance and navigating claims…Fight for your rights."

Safer from Wildfires Discounts

Expected insurance regulations require insurers to offer mitigation discounts based on compliance with the commissioner’s Safer from Wildfires program, which aims to protect homes and communities.

Two community-level programs, Firewise USA and Fire Risk Reduction Community List, qualify for discounts. El Dorado County was listed as a Fire Risk Reduction Community this year. Neighbors who work together on wildfire mitigation and receive a Firewise “Community in Good Standing” status qualify for a California FAIR Plan discount of up to 10 percent.

Parcel-level mitigation that makes homes more resilient to embers and flames may qualify for additional discounts.

Wildfire Prepared Home Certification

Insurers increasingly turn to the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certification as a condition of renewal and discounts.

In addition, the El Dorado Hills Fire Department requires new construction in state-responsibility areas with less than a 30-foot setback from property lines to be built and maintained to the most stringent Wildfire Prepared Home Plus level.