California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has called on the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to accelerate the finalization of "Zone Zero" regulations, which are designed to recognize mitigation efforts that could lead to insurance discounts and improved access for homeowners.
The California Department of Insurance defines Zone Zero as a noncombustible 5-foot area surrounding a structure, along with other wildfire mitigation strategies.
Lara said that completing these regulations would support the department’s work to expand coverage availability and increase the number of homeowners eligible for insurance discounts.
He noted that expediting the process would also align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order, which directs multiple state agencies to collaborate on recommendations aimed at stabilizing the insurance market and improving affordability.
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that it is close to completing the Zone Zero regulations. Tony Andersen, executive officer for the board, said a public workshop and subcommittee meeting on Oct. 23 will determine which options to advance to the full board, which will review them at a meeting on Nov. 5.
“As we work through our process, we agree with the important role that these regulations serve as one more tool in the toolbox of combating catastrophic wildfire in California,” Andersen said in a report from AM Best
He added that feedback from across the state indicates the status quo is not sufficient and that the regulation could help communities take another step toward safety and wildfire protection.
Elsewhere, California has enacted several reforms to the state’s Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, expanding coverage and introducing new financing options for manufactured and mobile homes.
The FAIR Plan also recently proposed an average rate hike of 35.8% for home insurance, which, if approved, would be its largest in at least seven years. About half of policyholders could see increases between 40% and 55%, while some may experience decreases or more significant increases, depending on location and risk profile.
California lawmakers are considering legislation to establish the nation’s first public wildfire catastrophe model, which would be used to inform insurance rate-setting and address regional disparities in coverage. The proposed model would be developed under the Department of Insurance and is part of a broader legislative package aimed at improving risk assessment and regulatory oversight.
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