Useful Resources
Home hardening in the WUI (wildland-urban interface) is a topic of growing importance across the US. Here are some of the best resources to help you harden your home and reduce your risk.
Insurance Discounts Explained: Slides
These are the slides from the webinar, “Insurance Discounts Explained: How to qualify for the largest discounts from the FAIR Plan and other insurers.”
Download it here (5MB PDF)
Insurance Discounts Explained: one-pager
This is the one-page summary of the webinar. “Insurance Discounts Explained: How to qualify for the largest discounts from the FAIR Plan and other insurers.”
Download it here (400KB PDF)
Cal FAIR Plan discounts
The California FAIR published their latest discounts for wildfire hardening in November, 2025. You can discuss this document with your insurance broker.
Insurance Notices & Surcharges Webinar
Why are so many homeowners receiving notices of correction from their insurance carriers, especially the California FAIR Plan?How do all of the “inspections” happen? How should you respond when you receive a notice? And can they raise your rates? (Yes, they can, so respond promptly!)
Firewise USA
The Firewise USA program provides simple, effective steps to help communities reduce the risk of destruction from wildfire. Learn how to "Band Together" before wildfire disasters occur.
This program has proven so successful that the California FAIR plan and other insurers offer discounts for homeowners in Firewise USA communities.
New Zone Zero Rules
In late April, 2026, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Prevention published new draft rules for Zone Zero, the first five feet from your home. Here are the materials from TheWildfireGuys May 12, 2026 webinar:
Click here to watch the CalFire video
Click here for the Draft rules proposal
FAIR Plan Alternatives:
Carriers writing Homeowners Insurance in California: admitted & non-admitted (surplus lines) carriers
Click here to download this handout from the Oct 13 webinar.
Early Adopters of “zone zero” fared better in L.A. County fires
2025 article in the Los Angeles Times about why some homes survived the L.A. fires while neighboring homes burned.
Wildfire Prepared Home insurance discounts
Has your insurance company offered a discount for achieving Wildfire Prepared Home certification? We can help you reach both levels:
Base level (lower discounts)
Plus level (higher discounts)
Firewise Webinar
On May 21, 2026 Lynn Sestak of the Firesafe Council of Santa Cruz County joined us to discuss how to form a FireWise community and reap all the rewards. Here are the materials:
← Click the video thumbnail to watch the replay
Lynn’s slides (PDF)
FAIr plan Rate Increase and Alternatives
Recording of the October 13, 2026 webinar. Download the webinar handouts on the right.
Book excerpt:
First 40 Pages
Download Excerpt: This is the first 40 pages from the new book, California Homeowners Guide to Wildfire & Insurance.
Book excerpt: All About Homeowners Insurance
Download Chapter 17: California Homeowners Insurance: everything you need to know about the FAIR Plan, Admitted Carriers, Non-admitted carriers (surplus lines) and how to compare policies. Excerpt from California Homeowners Guide to Wildfire & Insurance.
Vulnerability of Vents to Wind-Blown Embers
This research demonstrates how more than 90% of homes destroyed by wildfire are ignited by embers drawn into attic vents or other vulnerable locations.
