Standard homeowners policies in Washington cover fire, including wildfire. Most also cover the smoke, soot, and heat that come with it. What varies is the fine print: dwelling limits, a separate wildfire deductible on some policies, loss-of-use limits for evacuations, and whether a particular company will offer or renew coverage on your property based on its wildfire risk score. Here’s what to check.
Does home insurance cover wildfire in Washington?
Generally, yes, for standard policies. The Washington OIC says all standard homeowners and property policies in Washington include fire protection on terms at least as good as the state model fire policy (WAC 284-20-010). Coverage still depends on your policy terms and limits.
What parts of my policy matter most in a wildfire?
The OIC points to:
- Dwelling (Coverage A): is the limit enough to rebuild at today’s costs? Tell your insurer about upgrades.
- Other structures (Coverage B): sheds, detached garages, fences, often limited to 10% of dwelling.
- Personal property (Coverage C): replacement cost vs. actual cash value; schedule high-value items.
- Loss of use (Coverage D): hotel and extra costs during repairs, and when a local evacuation order is in place.
- Your car: wildfire damage needs comprehensive coverage. Liability and collision don’t cover it.
Is there a separate wildfire deductible?
Sometimes. The OIC reports seeing separate, higher wildfire deductibles in some higher-risk areas. Check your declarations page before fire season.
Why might my insurer not renew my home near Wenatchee?
Insurers use third-party wildfire risk scores built from vegetation, building materials, location, and defensible space. The OIC reports that homeowner nonrenewals and cancellations have doubled since 2021, from 11,763 to 24,106, and that some were tied to wildfire risk scores (OIC, wildfire risk score transparency). Under RCW 48.18.2901, an insurer must give 60 days’ written notice of nonrenewal along with the reason. Standards vary by company, so you have the right to shop around. If no company will write your home, the OIC refers homeowners to the Washington FAIR Plan (425-745-9808), which provides basic property coverage for homes that have trouble finding a policy in the standard market.
Where around Wenatchee is wildfire making home insurance harder to place?
“Many areas that have been able to be insured in the past are harder to find an insurance policy for today,” says James Cannon, owner of Blue Horizon Insurance. Here’s what we see locally:
- It’s not only the foothills. Even in town, a home next to a dry hill, or one with trees close to the house, can draw a nonrenewal from some companies because of brush-fire mapping.
- Companies disagree. In the Briarwood community of East Wenatchee, for example, we’ve seen some companies non-renew policies while others are still writing homes there. One company’s wildfire map isn’t every company’s map.
- Up the Entiat, options can run out. In our experience, for some homes up the Entiat Valley, the Washington FAIR Plan may be the only option available right now.
What does Blue Horizon do when a client’s home is non-renewed for wildfire risk?
In James’s words: “We contact them immediately. We run updated quotes with all of our companies, doing the shopping for them. We shop our insurance carriers to find the best policy for you. If there isn’t one, we offer to work with them on the Washington State FAIR Plan.”
As an independent agency, we can check more than one company. One company tightening up in your area doesn’t always mean the others are in the same spot, and some may still be able to write your home, depending on their underwriting. If none can, we help you apply to the FAIR Plan rather than leave you to figure it out alone.
Do any insurance companies help protect homes during a wildfire?
Some do. Liberty Mutual, for example, offers eligible Washington homeowner and landlord policyholders a free Wildfire Response Program run by a contracted wildfire mitigation company, Chloeta. When an active wildfire threatens a covered home and fire officials allow safe access, the crew may clear gutters and nearby vegetation, set up temporary sprinklers, or apply fire-blocking gel or foam. They don’t enter the house, and the vendor decides which properties get service, so it’s an extra layer of help, not a guarantee. Program details and eligibility can change; see Liberty Mutual’s program page or ask us whether it applies to your home.
What can I do to lower wildfire risk around my home?
The OIC and DNR recommend defensible space: clear needles and leaves from roofs, gutters, and decks, and keep branches and shrubs at least 10 feet from the house. DNR also publishes an Eastern Washington fire-resistant plant guide and supports Firewise USA neighborhood sites. Mitigation work may be worth mentioning to your insurer. Whether it changes your price or eligibility depends on the company.
FAQ
Will my policy pay if I evacuate but my house doesn’t burn?
Loss-of-use coverage can apply when a local evacuation order is in place, per the OIC. Limits and conditions depend on your policy.
What if I get a nonrenewal notice?
Under Washington law, you should get 60 days’ written notice and a reason. Use that time to have other companies quote your home.
Got a nonrenewal notice or wondering if your limits are high enough? We can compare home coverage from multiple companies:
https://www.bhifs.com/insurance-quotes.html
Call 509-293-7500 (Mon–Fri, 9–5) · Text 509-300-3515
Related: Home insurance · Auto insurance (comprehensive) · Currently insured homeowners in Wenatchee
