Oregon’s State Fire Marshal, Mariana Ruiz-Temple, has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit backed by major insurance companies including State Farm and Farmers Insurance. The partnership aims to help Oregonians protect their homes from wildfires through the ‘Wildfire Prepared’ certification program, which could potentially lead to lower insurance premiums.
The ‘Wildfire Prepared’ Certification Program
The ‘Wildfire Prepared’ program offers certification to homeowners who undertake specific wildfire prevention measures around their homes. To qualify, homeowners must clear a 5-foot buffer around their home and any decks, removing combustible materials such as trees, overhanging branches, mulch, and wood or vinyl fencing. After completing the work, homeowners submit a $125 application with photos, which are reviewed by IBHS inspectors. A third-party inspector then verifies the work before certification is granted.
Potential Impact on Insurance Premiums
The certification could influence insurance rates as insurers may take it into account when calculating premiums. This move is seen as crucial by Gov. Tina Kotek, who emphasized the importance of maintaining available property insurance for Oregonians despite the growing wildfire risk. Oregon’s insurance market currently remains stable, unlike California, which is struggling to maintain insurance coverage.
Additional Partnership Initiatives
Beyond the certification program, the partnership will also focus on research, educational opportunities for Oregonians on home hardening and defensible space, and post-wildfire analysis. Oregon’s Insurance Commissioner, Andrew Stolfi, noted that as consumers and the state invest in reducing wildfire risk, insurers should reflect this progress in their rating and underwriting, potentially making coverage more affordable.
Challenges in Funding Home Hardening Efforts
Despite the progress, there are concerns about the lack of dedicated funding for home hardening efforts. While the Legislature allocated over $30 million in 2021 following the 2020 Labor Day Fires, this funding has decreased significantly since then. A 2024 grant program that provided $250 grants for defensible space landscaping is no longer available. Gov. Kotek remains committed to securing more funding to support community-based grants for wildfire prevention.
