Fire insurance cancellations spreading like wildfire

Ethelene Gardner, a Klickitat County resident, is losing her homeowners insurance due to wildfire risk despite extensive mitigation efforts. The trend of insurance non-renewals is growing in Oregon and Washington, affecting homeowners who have taken proactive measures to reduce fire hazards. Gardner's efforts included tree trimming and adherence to state cleanup guidelines, yet she received a cancellation notice from American Modern Home Insurance. Attempts to secure policies from other providers, such as Allstate and Safeco, were met with similar rejections. New legislation may redefine eligibility for rural homeowners, with Gardner emphasizing that the issue will impact many in her community.

Oregon lawmakers are proposing bills to help utilities avoid liability for wildfire-causing incidents, while Washington State has passed legislation requiring a public wildfire risk map. The recent changes in underwriting criteria emerged after the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires that destroyed thousands of homes. The situation highlights the growing challenge for homeowners in high-risk fire areas to secure insurance coverage.