Homeowners in Yavapai County are facing a growing problem that goes beyond wildfire itself — they’re losing their insurance because of it.
Prescott Fire Department Wildfire Risk Manager Conrad Jackson says the insurance landscape for homeowners in wildfire-risk areas has shifted dramatically. He tells The News that of roughly one hundred companies writing homeowners policies in Arizona, only about 30 to 40 are still willing to cover properties in wildland-urban interface areas — and those that will are hitting policyholders hard.
Jackson says Arizona does not require insurers to tell you why they dropped you — leaving many local homeowners with no clear path to get their coverage back. He personally received a non-renewal notice despite living near the center of Prescott.
The issue is now on the radar at the state Capitol. Yavapai County State Representative Selina Bliss took part in an Arizona Corporation Commission town hall last week on wildfire mitigation and insurance non-renewals, calling it a problem the state cannot ignore.
In the meantime, Jackson says the best thing local homeowners can do is get ahead of it. The Prescott Fire Department and Central Arizona Fire and Medical both offer free defensible space inspections.
KYCA has reached out to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions for comment.