IBHS recently announced that its Wildfire Prepared Home program has progressed from its pilot rollout in California and is now available in 14 states. IBHS is the research arm of the insurance industry, and they originated a Fortified program that encouraged homeowners in the Southeastern states to make their roofs more resistant to hurricanes and tornadoes. The success of Fortified, which showed that hardened homes survived disasters better and reduced insurance claims, led to the wildfire program.

Becoming a Wildfire Prepared Home (WPH) is not easy, but the benefits are substantial. After I achieved a WPH certificate, my homeowners was reinstated. And my combination of being WPH as well as being in a Firewise community resulted in a $1,000 discount on my insurance premium. To solve the insurance crisis, we must reduce our wildfire risk, and WPH is one-way insurers are incentivizing homeowners to do so.

According to a communication with an IBHS official, there are now 4 WPH-certified homes in PV, with 4 applications in progress. If those homeowners come forward, WPC will organize a tour.

Have questions about WPH? Email wildfireprepcommittee@portolavalley.net

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San Mateo County Alert System SMC Alert is our primary emergency notification system. Encourage all adult members (18 and older) of your family to subscribe.

All the Wildfire Preparedness tips are on the committee’s page. To rate this tip or submit questions or concerns, please fill out this Google Form.