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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
State Farm Home Inspection Program
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Type: |
Property Insurance
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Jurisdiction: |
Multi-level
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State: |
Colorado
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Program Description: |
Background
Due to an increase in wildfire hazard over the past few years State Farm Insurance Company is implementing a new program to reduce the potential for future financial losses in some high hazard areas. The affected states are Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. The program was announced in May, 2003 and is currently underway in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Approximately 50 percent of the properties are located in Colorado. Over the next three years, 22,000 homes located in the targeted states will be inspected to identify any need for treatments to reduce wildfire hazard. The selection of homes was based on potential wildfire risk. The degree of risk was determined using a combination of factors: vegetation characteristics, topography (slope and aspect), population density, lightning strike density, and the proximity of roads and railroads.
The contracting firm, Survey Associates, is conducting the inspections for State Farm. Inspectors have received training in home wildfire risk inspection from the Colorado State Forest Service. Additional inspectors will be hired as needed in each state.
Program Implementation
Each homeowner will receive a letter of notification approximately one to two weeks prior to the survey. Because the survey is exterior only, the homeowner is not required to be on site. Insurance inspectors contracting with State Farm and trained by state forestry agencies will conduct the inspections.
During the survey, potential hazards on the property will be identified. If only minor treatments are needed, State Farm will send a letter to the customer approximately two to four weeks following the inspection, listing the items to rectify and notifying the homeowner that he or she has up to two years to correct those items.
If the property requires significant measures to rectify the hazards, the customer will receive a letter asking that he or she arrange a meeting on the property with local fire officials to develop a wildfire mitigation plan. The letter will also advise the customer that he or she will have 18-24 months to obtain the plan and complete the recommended treatments. Any charges assessed for the help of local fire or emergency management officials is the responsibility of the customer.
State Farm agents will follow-up to verify that the recommended measures are completed. If a homeowner chooses not to complete these safety measures, putting his or her property and the lives of fire officials at greater risk, non-renewal of the insurance policy for the property would be considered.
Implications
Other insurance companies are following the lead of the State Farm. For example, Met Life has contacted homeowners in New Mexico concerning wildfire protection needed to insure homes in high fire risk areas.
Contact information
For additional information about the program, please contact Steve Niccolai, State Farm Insurance Company, at (970)395-5840. Media inquiries should be directed to May Hendershot at (970)395-5401. A USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management Briefing Paper is available on the web.
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