Many insurance companies have raised premiums or canceled policies for homeowners living in fire hazard zones.

Many of our foothill communities are along the Wildland-Urban interface, deemed high risk due to the proximity of fire-prone vegetation and other site conditions such as weather patterns and topography.

Many prospective buyers face the daunting task of searching for a new fire insurance policy when purchasing a property located in a designated fire zone. What can you do if you receive notice of a rate increase or non-renewal from your insurance company?

Start by calling your insurance agent to see if there are fire hardening steps you can make to your property to reduce the premium. Check with the local fire department for help with brush clearing, and find online information for wildfire-resistant construction upgrades at www.wildlandfirersg.org.

If you are facing non-renewal from your current insurance carrier, start shopping around for a replacement policy right away.

The major players in the SoCal insurance market, such as State Farm, Farmers and Allstate, might have different policies available depending on property location. Go to the California Department of Insurance website at www.insurance.ca.gov for tips on shopping for insurance and lists of independent agents who have access to multiple carriers.

Check for policies written by admitted insurance companies that are backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). These companies must file their rates and policy forms with the CA Department of Insurance and most importantly, they are part of CIGA, which provides protections if the carrier becomes insolvent.

Surplus lines or non-admitted carriers may offer more flexible policies, but since they are not a part of CIGA, need to be vetted for overall financial strength to cover potential future losses.

The California FAIR Plan is always available as a last option for fire insurance coverage. Created in July 1968 following the 1960’s brush fires and riots, the FAIR plan is an insurance pool established to assure the availability of basic property insurance to California homeowners.

The policy only covers losses due to fire and smoke, so you also need a companion Difference in Conditions policy from a carrier like Farmers to include coverage for additional losses typically included in a standard homeowners policy, such as theft, water damage and liability.

The maximum limit written by the FAIR Plan on a residential property for all coverages combined is $1.5 million.

Adriana Donofrio• deasypennerpodley Glendora (626) 926-9700• adonofrio@dppre.com