A growing number of home insurers are incorporating granular wildfire risk scores into their pricing models, moving beyond simple ZIP code-based assessments. Properties within defensible space zones may see lower premiums than neighbors just a few hundred feet away.
The risk scoring technology uses satellite imagery, vegetation density analysis, and local fire history to assign property-level threat ratings. Homeowners who invest in fire-resistant landscaping and roofing materials can improve their scores.
Consumer groups caution that hyper-localized pricing could create insurance deserts in high-risk communities where residents have limited ability to mitigate their exposure.
