California Requires Insurers to Recognize Wildfire Mitigation. Here Is What Counts.
California law requires every insurer that uses wildfire risk in their pricing to discount your premium when you document mitigation work. FireRoofs coordinates the work and builds the evidence packet.
All work is performed by licensed and insured contractors.
Last updated: August 2026
What the Law Requires
Section 2644.9
Requires admitted carriers to discount for 12 documented mitigation categories. An exterior sprinkler system can address several.
FAIR Plan Discounts
Up to 16.4% off the wildfire portion of your premium.
AB 1 (2026)
Expands the framework as mitigation science advances.
12
Qualifying categories
5-20%
Potential premium savings
Reviewed by Shawn Gardner and Walt Mullins
Co-founders of FireRoofs with over 50 years of combined experience in construction, irrigation, and wildfire defense across the San Francisco Bay Area. All work is performed by licensed and insured contractors. Learn more about us
What California Law Requires Insurers to Do
California Insurance Code Section 2644.9, known as the Safer from Wildfires regulation, requires all admitted property insurers that use wildfire risk in their pricing to offer premium discounts for documented wildfire mitigation measures. The regulation became effective October 14, 2022, with insurers required to file compliant rate plans by April 2023.
The law identifies 12 specific mitigation measures organized into three categories: community-level designations, defensible space measures, and home hardening measures. Insurers must recognize each qualifying measure in their rate filings and disclose to policyholders which discounts apply to their property.
Effective January 1, 2026, AB 1 (the Insurance and Wildfire Safety Act) expanded this framework by requiring the California Department of Insurance to regularly review and update the Safer from Wildfires regulations to reflect advances in wildfire science and mitigation technology. This means the discount framework will continue to evolve as active defense systems become more recognized.
Important: Individual discount amounts vary by carrier and rate filing. Homeowners should work directly with their insurer or an independent broker to confirm which discounts apply to their specific property and policy.
The 12 Mitigation Categories Insurers Must Recognize
Under Regulation 2644.9, insurers are required to recognize the following 12 mitigation factors in their rate plans, as listed in 10 CCR Section 2644.9(d)(1). A documented FireRoofs project produces carrier-ready evidence for the categories the work actually touches.
Exterior sprinklers and active fire defense are not named factors in this list. Some carriers may voluntarily consider active defense under 2644.9(e)(7), but no carrier is required to discount for it.
| Category | Mitigation Measure | What FireRoofs Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Community | Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry (PRC 4290.1) | We note your community Fire Risk Reduction designation in the packet where it applies |
| Community | Firewise USA Site in Good Standing | We record your Firewise USA community status for the carrier |
| Immediate Surroundings | Clearing of vegetation and debris from under decks | We photograph and document cleared and enclosed under-deck areas |
| Immediate Surroundings | Clearing of vegetation, debris, mulch, stored combustibles and movable objects within 5 feet of the building | We document the cleared 5-foot ember-resistant zone with before and after photos |
| Immediate Surroundings | Only noncombustible materials, including fences and gates, within 5 feet of the building | We document noncombustible fencing and gate work within 5 feet of the structure |
| Immediate Surroundings | Removal or absence of combustible structures within 30 feet of the building | We document the absence or removal of combustible outbuildings within 30 feet |
| Immediate Surroundings | Compliance with PRC 4291 and applicable local defensible space ordinances | We record defensible space compliance with photos and zone ratings |
| Building Hardening | Class-A fire-rated roof (as defined in Chapter 7A) | We document the Class A roof assembly and any roof hardening we coordinate |
| Building Hardening | Enclosed eaves | We photograph enclosed eaves and the ignition-resistant materials used |
| Building Hardening | Fire-resistant vents (as defined in Chapter 7A) | We document ember-resistant vents with product listings and BML numbers |
| Building Hardening | Multipane windows or functional shutters that fully cover the window | We record multipane windows or full-coverage shutters where present |
| Building Hardening | At least 6 inches of noncombustible vertical clearance at the bottom of the exterior wall | We document the noncombustible vertical clearance at the base of exterior walls |
Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry (PRC 4290.1)
We note your community Fire Risk Reduction designation in the packet where it applies
Firewise USA Site in Good Standing
We record your Firewise USA community status for the carrier
Clearing of vegetation and debris from under decks
We photograph and document cleared and enclosed under-deck areas
Clearing of vegetation, debris, mulch, stored combustibles and movable objects within 5 feet of the building
We document the cleared 5-foot ember-resistant zone with before and after photos
Only noncombustible materials, including fences and gates, within 5 feet of the building
We document noncombustible fencing and gate work within 5 feet of the structure
Removal or absence of combustible structures within 30 feet of the building
We document the absence or removal of combustible outbuildings within 30 feet
Compliance with PRC 4291 and applicable local defensible space ordinances
We record defensible space compliance with photos and zone ratings
Class-A fire-rated roof (as defined in Chapter 7A)
We document the Class A roof assembly and any roof hardening we coordinate
Enclosed eaves
We photograph enclosed eaves and the ignition-resistant materials used
Fire-resistant vents (as defined in Chapter 7A)
We document ember-resistant vents with product listings and BML numbers
Multipane windows or functional shutters that fully cover the window
We record multipane windows or full-coverage shutters where present
At least 6 inches of noncombustible vertical clearance at the bottom of the exterior wall
We document the noncombustible vertical clearance at the base of exterior walls
Not every project touches every category. Which categories apply depends on the scope of work and the property configuration. FireRoofs evidence packets identify which specific Safer from Wildfires categories each project documents.
Safer from Wildfires Category Checklist (PDF)
Print this checklist and walk your property against each of the 12 CDI mitigation measures. Free download.
FAIR Plan Wildfire Mitigation Discounts
The California FAIR Plan implemented a wildfire hardening discount program effective for policies dated November 15, 2025 or later. Policyholders may qualify for up to 12 individual discounts applied to the wildfire portion of their premium.
Dwelling Fire policyholders who qualify for all 12 discounts may save up to 16.4 percent off the wildfire portion of their premium. Homeowner policyholders who qualify for all 12 discounts may save up to 14.6 percent off the wildfire portion of their premium. These percentages apply only to the wildfire portion of the premium, not the total premium.
Discounts are organized into four categories: Immediate Surroundings (Zone Zero, landscaping, fencing), Structure (roof, eaves, vents, windows, exterior walls, chimney), Property Level Completion (for qualifying across all measures in a category), and Community (Firewise USA or Fire Risk Reduction Community). Properties are subject to inspection to confirm eligibility.
Because an active exterior defense system addresses multiple structural and defensible space categories, it may help policyholders qualify for discounts they would not otherwise receive through passive hardening alone. Homeowners should submit their FireRoofs evidence packet to the FAIR Plan along with any renewal or application documentation.
Passive Hardening vs. Active Defense: What Underwriters See
Most wildfire insurance evaluations focus on passive hardening: roof ratings, vent specifications, window glazing, and clearance distances. These measures are necessary but limited. They resist fire. An active defense system adds detection, automation, and active exterior defense that passive hardening does not provide.
| Capability | IBHS Passive Standard | FireRoofs Active System |
|---|---|---|
| Ember Protection | Ember-resistant materials | Active water and foam defense on contact |
| Roof Defense | Class A rated materials | Active rotor sprinklers saturate full roof area |
| Eave Protection | Enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents | Active soffit sprinklers across all eave footage |
| Zone Zero Clearance | Noncombustible materials within 5 ft | Active perimeter sprinklers saturate Zone Zero |
| Wildfire Detection | Not included | Dual detection: satellite and on-property cameras |
| Automation | Not included | Smart controller with automated activation |
| Water Redundancy | Not included | Dual supply with automatic failover (if applicable) |
| Foam Defense | Not included | Class A foam system (if installed) |
| 24/7 Monitoring | Not included | Mobile app and satellite monitoring |
Ember Protection
Ember-resistant materials
Active water and foam defense on contact
Roof Defense
Class A rated materials
Active rotor sprinklers saturate full roof area
Eave Protection
Enclosed eaves, ember-resistant vents
Active soffit sprinklers across all eave footage
Zone Zero Clearance
Noncombustible materials within 5 ft
Active perimeter sprinklers saturate Zone Zero
Wildfire Detection
Not included
Dual detection: satellite and on-property cameras
Automation
Not included
Smart controller with automated activation
Water Redundancy
Not included
Dual supply with automatic failover (if applicable)
Foam Defense
Not included
Class A foam system (if installed)
24/7 Monitoring
Not included
Mobile app and satellite monitoring
An active system is designed to complement, not replace, the structural hardening measures covered by the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standard. FireRoofs documentation includes both a regulatory alignment matrix and an IBHS comparison in every evidence packet.
How to Document Your System for Insurance Review
Every FireRoofs installation includes a carrier-ready evidence packet prepared at commissioning. This packet is designed to give insurers, underwriters, and risk engineers everything they need to evaluate the system without a site visit. The packet includes:
Executive Summary
Overview of the installed system, system tier, commissioning date, and property address.
Property Overview
Lot size, structure size, roof area, construction type, and wildfire zone classification.
System Components
Sprinkler count, zone count, pipe material (copper throughout), spray type, and coverage specifications for each zone.
Commissioning and Test Results
Zone-by-zone operational test results, static and dynamic pressure readings, failover test (if applicable), foam test (if applicable), and app notification delivery confirmation.
California Regulatory Alignment
A matrix showing how each installed component addresses a specific CDI mitigation category under Regulation 2644.9.
IBHS Comparison
A comparison of IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home passive standards against the active defense, detection, and automation capabilities of the installed system.
Partner Contractor Documentation
FireRoofs partner contractors are all vetted, licensed and insured; licensing and COI records are included in the packet.
Investment Summary
Contract total, annual service agreement details, and contact information for underwriter follow-up.
The evidence packet is included at no additional charge with every FireRoofs installation. Homeowners can forward the packet directly to their insurer, broker, or underwriter. A FireRoofs representative is available to answer underwriter questions or participate in a call if requested.
Want to See a Sample Evidence Packet?
Our evidence packets are proprietary documentation prepared for each homeowner. Contact our team and we will share a sample packet directly with you so you can see exactly what your insurer or broker will receive.
Request a Sample Evidence PacketActual evidence packets reflect the specific system components, test results, and specifications of each individual installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Document Your Property for Your Broker
Trying to show your insurance company that your home is protected? Start with a satellite pre-assessment covering your roof, vegetation, and fire zone. If you need a full assessment with code citations, that is available too.
- Satellite-based property and vegetation overview
- Fire zone classification you can share with your broker
- Full assessment generates documentation for insurance conversations
Takes about a minute. No account needed.
Ready to Strengthen Your Insurance Position?
A FireRoofs site evaluation determines which system tier fits your property and what documentation your insurer will receive.
Book a Free Site EvaluationOr call 831-705-0888 · [email protected]