Wildfire mitigation discounts: How to qualify and save

What is a wildfire mitigation discount?

A wildfire mitigation discount is a home insurance discount that reduces your premiums in return for making efforts to harden your home against fire damage. Structural upgrades, landscaping changes, debris clearing and participation in community-wide wildfire preparedness efforts may earn you a discount.

Why does it matter? Discounts incentivize homeowners to reduce wildfire risk in return for a lower insurance rate, and may even make it easier to get insurance in a high-risk area.

Who qualifies for a wildfire mitigation discount?

To qualify for a wildfire mitigation discount, you generally need to live in a high-risk wildfire area, buy insurance from a carrier that offers it (it's required from all insurers in California), and provide documentation of qualifying mitigation efforts.

The three main qualifications are:

Live in a high-risk wildfire area (generally western states)
Buy insurance from an insurer that offers discounts (all insurers in California are required to)
Provide evidence of the mitigation efforts (photos, videos, documentation)

California is the only state that requires all carriers to offer wildfire mitigation discounts.

“I am not aware of any states other than California that mandate insurer wildfire mitigation discounts, but instead are working with insurers on WUI building codes, mitigation grant funding and community-wide mitigation initiatives,” says Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association (RMIA), which represents Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Wildfire mitigation strategies that qualify for a discount

Mitigation efforts that qualify for a home insurance discount include upgrading your roof, clearing vegetation and debris and installing enclosed eaves, multi-pane windows, or non-combustible shutters. The qualifying upgrades vary by carrier.

A wildfire home hardening checklist includes:

Upgrading to fire-resistant roofing materials
Creating defensible space on the property around the home by clearing vegetation and combustible debris
Installing enclosed eaves and ember-resistant vents to prevent sparks and embers from igniting the house
Installing multi-pane windows or deployable non-combustible shutters
Community-level wildfire mitigation

Programs like Wildfire Prepared Home and Firewise USA can help homeowners learn the best ways to mitigate fire damage to their property.

“Mitigation is crucial to lessening the risk of loss from wildfire. Individual home hardening, land clearing and community wildfire mitigation go a long way to keeping communities safe and resilient. Programs such as Wildfire Prepared Home and Firewise USA offer homeowners and communities excellent resources,” says Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications for the Insurance Information Institute in California.

How to apply for a wildfire mitigation discount

To apply for a wildfire mitigation discount, first check to see if your home is eligible. Then, complete and document the upgrades and submit them to your insurance company; follow up to ensure the discount is applied.

Check eligibility. Determine if your home qualifies for the discount based on your location and the insurance company's offerings.
Complete the appropriate mitigation efforts. Implement qualifying upgrades and document the work.
Submit proof. Provide the requested documentation, including inspections or certifications.
Follow up. Check your policy to ensure the discount has been applied.

California wildfire discount requirements

In California, all home insurance companies must offer some type of wildfire mitigation discount, either at the community level, such as Firewise communities or for specific mitigation on the property itself.

By law, insurance companies must offer discounts for the items listed in the table below. Insurance companies can add further discounts to this list.

Community level	Immediate surroundings	Building hardening
Fire Risk Reduction Community	Clear debris and vegetation under decks	Class-A fire-rated roof
Firewise USA site	Clear debris, vegetation, mulch, combustible materials and objects within five feet of the building	Enclosed eaves
	Have only noncombustible materials within five feet of the building	Fire-resistant vents
	Have no combustible structures within 30 feet of the building	Multi-pane windows
	Create a defensible space around the building	At least six inches of noncombustible vertical clearance at the bottom of the exterior

How much can you save?

Discount amounts vary from 2% to 18%, and differ by carrier and location. Few carriers publish their discount amounts; check with your carrier for details.

The table below provides wildfire mitigation discount information both in general and for specific California insurers, where available.

Insurer	Discount range	Requirements
California insurers (general)	2% to 18%	Specific community and property-level efforts
USAA	Not listed	Available in 10 states and only in Firewise communities
State Farm	2% to 5%	In California, but it may be available in other states
Mercury	Up to 18%	In California

Discount amount depends on the scope of the mitigation efforts, the risk level in your area and the documentation of your efforts.

States where wildfire discounts may be available

Outside of California, USAA is the only company confirmed to offer wildfire mitigation discounts. USAA discounts are available for homes in Firewise USA communities in the following 10 states:

California
Colorado
Texas
Arizona
Oregon
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming
Montana
Idaho

Sources:

Milliman. “Understanding the new California wildfire rating requirements.” Accessed May 2026.
NFPA. "Insurance Discounts for USAA Members in 10 States." Accessed May 2026.

FAQ: Wildfire mitigation discounts

Can renters or condo owners get wildfire mitigation discounts?

Generally, no. Wildfire mitigation discounts are based on efforts to harden the external structure and property, and condo and renters policies don't cover those areas. However, renters and condo owners may benefit indirectly from community-level fire mitigation efforts or efforts by the owner of the building.

Do I need an inspection to get a wildfire mitigation discount?

Some insurers require a formal inspection or third-party certification to verify mitigation work; others accept photos, videos, receipts and other forms of documentation. The California requirements table on this page lists the specific measures that qualify, but the documentation format varies. Ask your insurer what it requires before work is completed.