Sen. Dodd: Wildfire Insurance Hardening Plan a “High Priority”

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, today lauded the creation of a statewide plan for home and community hardening through a partnership between Gov. Gavin Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that will reduce wildfire risk, save lives and help make home and business insurance available and affordable to all.

“I want to thank Gov. Newsom and Commissioner Lara for following through for people who’ve endured tremendous hardship over the past several years of devastating wildfires,” Sen. Dodd said. “This has been a high priority for me and I appreciate their collaborative approach. We must deliver for Californians who deserve accessible and affordable insurance.”

The plan announced today would lead to the development of new standards to help ensure homes and businesses survive wildfires. Examples include building upgrades, creation of defensible space and fire-resistant landscaping. Under the plan, existing standards would be expanded to include retrofits and older homes.  Researchers have referred to community-wide home hardening as “herd immunity” against wildfires.

The initiative follows up on legislation from Sen. Dodd, Senate Bill 872, which was signed by Gov. Newsom last year. SB 872 expands several consumer protections related to additional living expenses, time to collect replacement value, contents coverage and relocation after a loss.

In his bill signing statement, Gov. Newsom vowed to “do more,” and directed agencies to work with the Insurance Commissioner to evaluate and recommend ways that residents, communities and the insurance industry can mitigate wildfire risks. Among the goals was to address insurance non-renewals after wildfires and rising premium costs.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.