8/2/21

Insurance companies resume spiking moral hazard in WUI


See that severe wildfire potential over north central and eastern Montana? That's not public land; it's mostly Republican ranch country.

Montana has the highest number in the US of residences in the wildland urban interface or WUI so that state's Department of Natural Resources and Conservation offers wildfire assessments and structure protection programs. But even government can't always protect you from your own stupidity.
Jessica Braun got out of firefighting several years ago and wanted to pursue her entrepreneurial side. Then she ran into her friend, and former firefighter, Jon Troxell, 29, in the parking lot of the Smith’s grocery store in Bozeman last summer. Both spoke of their passion for reducing wildfire fuels — a first step in preventing devastating wildfires — and how that could translate into a business. Since the spring, the pair have assessed 10 homes and were hired to clean up seven of those. [Former firefighters start company to reduce wildfire risk]
Insurance companies have long been hesitant to raise premiums for idiots building in the WUI and along waterways swollen by human-caused climate disruptions but not any more. The former administration blamed California wildfires on the lack of logging with statements typically devoid of facts but the real culprits are arsonists, downed power lines and a warming climate. 

Private companies should simply deny coverage for those who refuse to clear properties of combustibles but at least one insuror has created conditions for building in the WUI by greenwashing moral hazard in risky developments.
To help protect our customers’ properties from the threat of wildfires, Travelers® has contracted with Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. (WDS), a private company that specializes in wildfire mitigation and loss prevention services, to now also provide wildfire mitigation services to our California and Colorado Dwelling Home and Homesaver (Landlord) customers. During a wildfire, WDS will supplement local emergency response services and may take preventative measures on or around your property. For example, WDS may remove brush and sources of fuel, or apply vent tape, fire-blocking gel and fire retardant. It’s important to understand, WDS is not a first responder. There is no guarantee the company will provide all wildfire mitigation services to all properties threatened by a wildfire. WDS provides service to as many properties as it can, based on company guidelines that consider safety, weather conditions and the fire’s proximity. [point of sale, Travelers®]
Learn more about the absence of Republican leadership in Montana linked here.
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