What Is the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Designation and How Do You Qualify?
Anthony
Founder · 24 Years Professional Firefighting Experience
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is a nonprofit research organization that conducts scientific research on how homes and communities are damaged by severe weather and wildfire.
IBHS developed Wildfire Prepared Home™, a voluntary, science-based designation program that identifies a comprehensive set of actions homeowners can take to reduce their home's vulnerability to wildfire. To earn a designation, a property must meet all requirements for the selected designation level, validation by an authorized third party, and receive verification from IBHS.
Why It Matters
Wildfire Prepared Home takes a systems-based approach to wildfire protection. Rather than relying on a single improvement, the program addresses the roof, building features, and conditions around the home that can allow wind-blown embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact to ignite a home.
A Wildfire Prepared Home designation provides independent verification that a property has met IBHS's science-based requirements for the designation level achieved.
Some insurance companies recognize the Wildfire Prepared Home designation and may offer discounts or consider wildfire mitigation when evaluating a property. Insurance benefits vary by insurer, policy, and state, and earning a designation does not guarantee insurance availability, eligibility, renewal, or a specific premium.
The Two Designation Levels
Wildfire Prepared Home — Essential
The Essential designation focuses primarily on reducing vulnerabilities to wind-blown embers, the leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires.
Requirements address the home and surrounding property as a system and include measures related to:
All applicable requirements must be met to earn the designation.
Wildfire Prepared Home — Enhanced
The Enhanced designation includes all Essential requirements and adds measures designed to provide greater protection from direct flame contact and radiant heat.
Additional requirements address building features such as eaves, exterior walls, windows and doors, decks, gutters, accessory structures, fencing, and conditions within 30 feet of the home.
Enhanced is often pursued as part of new construction or major exterior renovations, when these additional building improvements can be incorporated more readily.
How Our Reports Can Help
Our reports can assess your property's existing conditions against the published IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home requirements and identify areas that may need improvement.
If your goal is to pursue a Wildfire Prepared Home designation, we can help you understand the applicable requirements and develop a prioritized plan for completing needed mitigation work.
A California Fire Safe Solutions assessment or report is not an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation and does not independently verify IBHS compliance. A property earns the designation only after completing the official Wildfire Prepared Home application and evaluation process and receiving verification from IBHS.
Insurance Considerations
Completing wildfire mitigation and earning a Wildfire Prepared Home designation may have insurance benefits, but those benefits vary.
Some insurers recognize the designation or individual wildfire mitigation measures when determining available discounts or evaluating a property. Homeowners should contact their insurance company or agent directly to determine what documentation is accepted and whether any discounts or other insurance benefits may apply.
Getting Started
If you want to understand how your property compares with the Wildfire Prepared Home requirements, a Core Report or In-Person Assessment can provide a starting point.
We'll identify existing wildfire vulnerabilities, compare property conditions with the applicable Wildfire Prepared Home requirements, and outline improvements that can help prepare your property to pursue an official designation.
For official Wildfire Prepared Home requirements, eligibility information, and designation details, visit wildfireprepared.org.
Have Questions About Your Property?
Every property is different. Talk with CaliFSS to get specific guidance for your situation.