As wildfires become more frequent and severe across California, homeowners are learning that their insurance coverage may not offer the protection they once assumed. Insurance isn’t just a formality anymore—it’s a battleground between risk, rising costs, and even the ability to get coverage at all.

Create fire-safe space around your houseUse hard surfaces, such as stone, brick, gravel, or concrete as a buffer. Remove plants near windows, vents, or siding that could catch fire. Trim branches hanging over your roof. Trim lower branches on trees that could ignite from fire on the ground.

Zone Zero, also known as the Ember Resistant Zone or the Home Ignition Zone, is the area immediately surrounding your home that poses the highest risk of ignition from flying embers. The ember-resistant zone is crucial in wildfire defense because the majority of homes are lost not to direct flames, but due to embers that are carried by the wind and ignite flammable materials close to the structure.

In California, Assembly Bill 3074 (AB 3074) mandates the creation of this zone, with new regulations expected to be fully implemented by 2025. This law requires property owners to manage the 0 to 5 feet surrounding their homes to prevent ember intrusion and the spread of fire.