Wildfire insurance glossary

The vocabulary an agent or homeowner runs into while documenting a California wildfire risk, defined plainly and attributed to whoever actually owns the definition.

Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ)

CAL FIRE's official wildfire hazard rating for a location: Moderate, High or Very High.

Safer from Wildfires

The California regulation listing the mitigation measures insurers must recognise.

Wildfire Prepared Home (IBHS)

A voluntary designation granted by IBHS to homes meeting its wildfire standard.

Defensible space

The managed area around a structure that slows a fire and gives crews room to work.

Diligent search (surplus lines)

The documented effort to place a risk in the admitted market before going non-admitted.

California FAIR Plan

The state-mandated insurer of last resort for property that cannot get coverage elsewhere.

Admitted and non-admitted carriers

Whether an insurer is licensed by California, and what that means if it fails.