PROPERTY UNDERWRITING RESOURCES
Wildfire risk for structures in a given area, active fire perimeters and historical fire data, evacuation zones, and satellite hot spots.
What does your building look like from Google Earth’s view?
A comprehensive guide to hardening your property against wildfire risks.
If you have an older electrical panel (main or sub-panel), it could be a serious fire hazard. This document highlights three types of breaker panels—Stab-Lok, Zinsco/Sylvania, and Challenger—that are known to have dangerous safety defects. Use this guide to identify if your electrical system could be affected and learn why replacing these outdated panels is a smart and potentially life-saving decision.
Resources on local evacuation routes, fire safety documents, and community engagement through events and volunteer opportunities.
CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR the best INSURANCE APPLICATIONS
- What year was the home or commercial building constructed built?
- 30+ years can be difficult.
- Year the roof was replaced?
- Hopefully within the past 30 years.
- Year the electrical was updated?
- The building should be on circuit breakers.
- Is the panel Zinsco or similar?
- These are known fire hazards and insurance companies don’t want to write buildings with these types of main or sub-panels.
- Year plumbing updated?
- Galvanized plumbing is bad.
- Year HVAC updated?
- Partial or full replacement.
- Fire department within five miles?
- Must be paid; not volunteer.
- Fire hydrant within 1,000 feet?
- It’s worth the time to look for it.
- Google Street View
- This is what the underwriters look at first.
- Is the building well-maintained?
- No cracks, peeling paint, debris, etc.
- Need by date?
- More time is better.
- Who is the insured?
- The insured should always be the one talking to the insurance agent.
- How is Title held to the property?
- It’s different if held in a Trust or LLC.
- What are we quoting?
- Commercial building, house or manufactured home?
- Who occupies the building?
- Owner-occupied or tenant-occupied.