California has introduced new wildfire safety regulation to help drive down cost of insurance by recognizing and rewarding wildfire safety and mitigation efforts made by homeowners and businesses.

Insurance Commission Ricardo Lara’s regulation will require insurance companies to submit new rates that recognize the benefit of safety measures such as upgraded roofs and windows, defensible space, and community-wide programs.

They will also have to submit new rate filings incorporating wildfire safety standards, and to establish a process for releasing wildfire risk determinations to residents and businesses.

“Protecting Californians from deadly wildfires means everyone doing their part, including insurance companies by rewarding consumers for being safer from wildfires,” said Commissioner Lara.

“The reality of climate change is driving my determination to help communities better prepare, help our firefighters save lives, and help more Californians find insurance they can afford. My Department will work diligently to increase discounts to reward the hard work that California consumers do to protect their families, homes, businesses, and communities.”

“Commissioner Lara’s proposed regulation will transform the insurance landscape by rewarding wildfire risk reduction, creating safer communities and restoring access to affordable coverage,” added Amy Bach, Executive Director of United Policyholders.

“Giving people a financial incentive to do their part is a critical and fair step to getting ‘all hands on deck’ to save homes and lives. United Policyholders strongly supports this common-sense and sustainable solution to the property insurance problems millions of Californians are experiencing.”