Actual fire in Tecolote Canyon in Clairemont 92111 on June 24th 2025
Many of you were enjoying holdiay celebrations in December of 2025 and were blissfully unaware of many things going on with the State and the City of San Diego when it comes to fire mitigation in our State, County and City of San Diego know as ZONE ZERO.
In an attempt to help with the massive confusion over new rules, mapping and insurance regulations coming your way we will attempt to unravel this massive ants nest of regulations we have uncovered.
If you uncover NEW information NOT listed below please email us HERE - Thank you
LOCAL NEWS VIDEOS
This is a video from Channel 8 from 2 years ago and it is with the Fire Chief from Alpine, a rural area. HOWEVER it does a great job of showing what insurance companies are going to be requiring from us.
This is a channel 7 video from around September 2025 and shows an example of a 1960's home that has been updated with the ZONE ZERO regulations and what insurance companies will be looking for to hopefully LOWER your homeowners insurance rates.
However after you spend $30K to $40K or more like $100K that it looks like the homeowner in the video below did I am not sure a $100.00 discount on your homeowners insurance is going to feel palatable.
This is a ABC Channel 7 video from January 6th 2026 where a local Los Angeles woman reacts to regulations that she feels are better suited to rural areas and the sad fact that no amount of preparedness may be able to counteract a WIND DRIVEN event.
CURRENT EVENTS 2026
January 20th - 10:00am to Noon - ZOOM MEETING from State
California Wildfire Mitigation Program Authority Board Meeting - OPEN TO PUBLIC (If they do not cancel that is)
ZOOM MEETING
Virtual Meeting Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84007920924 Webinar ID: 840 0792 0924
Conference Telephone Line:
+16694449171, 84007920924# or +12532158782, 84007920924#
New Plant Rules? - January 6th 2026 - California considers new rules for plants
GRANTS For New Roofs - January 1st 2026 - California homeowners could qualify for grants for new roofs and fire safety
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FIRE MAPS
CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR HOME IS IN IT
CITY OF SAN DIEGO - HIGH FIRE SEVERITY ZONES - AS OF AUGUST 30th, 2025
CAL FIRE MAP - High Fires Serverity Zones in our County - Type in your address top right of page
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO BY AREAS - States Areas of Responsibilities for County Areas
NOTE - ACCORDING TO THE STATE - Click on idividual files - As of May 22nd 2025
COUNTY & STATE - Map of County Responsibility & State Responsibility - As of March 24, 2025
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STATE INFORMATION
CAL FIRE - HANDBOOK OF APPROVED BUILDING MATERIALS & VENDORS - Sept. 20th 2024
CAL FIRE - Office of State Fire Marshall - OSFM - Boards & Committees
CAL FIRE - California Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee & Meetings
DEADLINES TO COMPLY
State - deadline of February 2029
City's - deadline of February 2027
New construction & non owner occupied homes - deadline of today
Be aware those deadlines are completely MEANINGLESS to you.
The only deadline you really have is from your individual Homeowner Insurance company.
HOWEVER - And this is a big one
If you do NOT do all the Zone Zero mitigation by the deadline and your home burns down your insurer can and probably will deny your claim.
BOTTOM LINE - CHECK WITH YOUR INSURER NOW.
What does that mean?
The San Diego Fire Departments Deputy Chief Tony Tosca has said in numerous interviews that they do NOT have the manpower to enforce any deadlines from City or our State, therefore who is going to make you?
Thats right, the people who insure your home.
It is and will be your individual homeowners insurance company who will dictate, WHEN, WHERE, & WHAT you will need to do to comply with the State Zone Zero regulations no one else.
Suggestion - DO NOT DO ANY ZONE ZERO IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR HOME UNTIL YOU TALK TO YOUR HOME INSURANCE COMPANY.
And make sure any changes they are requiring you GET IN WRITING!!!
Remember the City and State can say whatever they want then change their minds a week, month or 6 months later of what is required so I would not pay attention to them, just your insurer.
RENTERS - According to the City of San Diego over HALF of you do, so check your Renters Policy and make sure it covers fire AND be prepared that the owner of your property probably will be raising your rent when they are forced to comply with the Zone Zero rules.
INSURANCE
If you have currently been canceled or are looking at other insurers here are some suggestions.
The top 10 Homeowner Insurers in California
https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-homeowners-insurance-california/
Mercury -
currently rated most affordable, as of Jan. 2026
currently writing new policies in CA ,
currently has gotten a 6.9% policy increase approval from the California Department of Insurance
CSAA Insurance Exchange -
currently writing new policies in CA ,
currently has gotten a 6.9% policy increase approval from the California Department of Insurance
Farmers -
currently writing new policies in CA ,
currently asking the California Department of Insurance for a 6.9% increase on policies
USAA for military -
currently writing new policies in CA ,
currently asking the California Department of Insurance for a 6.9% increase on policies
AAA -
currently writing new policies in CA ,
Travelers -
currently writing new policies in CA ,
State Farm -
Is NOT currently writing new policies in CA ,
currently asking California Department of Insurance for a 30% increase on policies
Liberty Mutual -
Is NOT currently writing new policies in CA ,
Allstate -
Is NOT currently writing new policies in CA ,
American Family Insurance -
Is NOT currently writing new policies in CA ,
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CALIFORNIA FAIR PLAN
The California FAIR plan was known as the insurer of last resort for homeowners who could not find coverage.
The reason is the FAIR plan did NOT cover
Water damage from leaking pipes
Theft
Liability
Falling objects
Vandalism
To give you better and more complete coverage the California Department of Insurance suggest you get policies know as
DIC - Difference in Conditions - policies ALONG with the FAIR plan policy to complete your coverage
List of DIC insures in California
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/5-residential/carriersDICpolicies.cfm
The California FAIR Plan has been in the news as facing insolvency but that is not quite accurate. AB 226 California Fair Plan Association was passed on 10/9/25
And CalMatters.org has written more about its resurrection in the articles below.
So you be the judge.
https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/09/fair-plan-bills-california/
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
A chronological history from current to past
January 8th 2026
California Home Insurer (Standard Guaranty Insurance Co.) Allowed to Drop 1,300 Plus Policies in High Wildfire risk Areas
January 1st. 2026 - EFFECTIVE
New Laws sponsored by Commissioner Are to strengthen consumer protections and wildfire resilience take effect January 1st. 2026
YEAR 2025 ---------------------------
October 23rd, 2025
Summary of October draft of Zone Zero Regulation Language
October 17th 2025
California Insurance Commissioner Richardo Lara urged to finalize ZONE ZERO rusef for wildfire insurance relief
February 6th, 2025
Laura Friedman now U.S. Representative introduced AB 3074 in February 6, 2025.
Governor Newsom signs executive order to further prepare for future urban firestorms with Zone Zero
January 7th 2025
Governor Newsom signs Executive Order N-1-18-2025
YEAR 2023 -------------
September 29th 2023
CALIFORNIA STATES RESPONSIBLY MAP AS OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
STATE BILLS - REGARDING INSURANCE
The California Wildfire Public Model Act (SB 429), authored by Senator Dave Cortese, enhances community safety and education by allowing the Department of Insurance to issue grants for establishing the nation’s first publicly available wildfire loss catastrophe model. The public model will facilitate assessments of wildfire risk, educate the public, and ensure greater transparency so communities and homeowners can plan effectively. This new law builds on recommendations from the Cal Poly Humboldt-led Public Wildfire Model Strategy Group.
SB 877 – the Fair Claims Practices and Transparency Act – requires transparency and accountability in loss estimate documentation so homeowners can clearly see how their payout was calculated, what changes were made, who made them, and why—allowing survivors to verify accuracy, challenge errors, and access the full benefits they paid for.
SB 878 – the Insurance Payment Accountability Act – strengthens existing prompt-payment insurance laws by imposing interest penalties when insurers delay issuing payments and eliminating insurers’ incentive to stay silent on portions of a claim. California’s deadlines requiring insurers to respond to claims promptly and pay all undisputed amounts within 30 days are routinely evaded through open-ended reviews and partial decisions. The same San Francisco Chronicle investigation provided evidence that such delays are often driven by internal insurer adjuster guidance to avoid written decisions and prolong claims—effectively bypassing prompt-payment rules.
AB 1 The Insurance and Wildfire Safety Act authored by Assembly Member Damon Connolly, enhances insurance discounts by requiring the Department of Insurance to regularly review its groundbreaking Safer from Wildfires regulations, ensuring this law reflects advancements in science, safety, and mitigation. This regular review will ensure that these regulations meet the needs of consumers and the industry, providing maximum benefits to homeowners and essential support to communities most vulnerable to wildfires.
AB 888 The California Safe Homes Act - authored by Assembly Member Lisa Calderon, protects homes and access to insurance by establishing a new grant program within the Department of Insurance to assist qualifying residents in obtaining new or replacement fire-safe roofs and implementing fire-safe mitigation measures within five feet of their homes—known as “Zone Zero.” This program will cover part or all the costs and will be included in community-wide safety initiatives. These mitigation measures are among the most impactful yet costly, and homeowners have consistently communicated their desire to undertake this work but lack the financial means. The California Safe Homes Act will help provide financial assistance for these essential projects.