Wildfire Safety Discounts for San Diego Homeowners: The 10 Actions That Can Lower Your Premium

Safer from Wildfires is a California program that gives homeowners an insurance discount for taking specific steps to make a house harder for wildfire to ignite. The state lists 10 actions, such as a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents and a clear 5-foot zone around the house, and every action qualifies for a discount, though the amount depends on your insurer.

The 10 actions

The state's list is a practical checklist for any San Diego homeowner, and it is also a useful list for sellers to review before listing. Here are the actions, as the Department of Insurance describes them:

Action	What it means
1. Class A fire-rated roof	Most roofing types qualify. Wood shake shingles do not.
2. 5-foot ember-resistant zone	Use stone or decomposed granite instead of wood chips, and replace wood fencing attached to the home with metal.
3. Ember- and fire-resistant vents	Cover exterior vents with noncombustible metal mesh, 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
4. Noncombustible wall base	Keep at least 6 vertical inches of noncombustible material at the base of exterior walls.
5. Enclosed eaves	Install soffits, preferably noncombustible or ignition-resistant.
6. Upgraded windows	Use multi-paned glass or add shutters.
7. Clear space under decks	Keep vegetation and debris out. Concrete, gravel or bare soil are allowed.
8. Remove combustible outbuildings	Move sheds, gazebos, ADUs and playhouses at least 30 feet from the home.
9. Defensible space compliance	Follow state and local requirements for trimming and clearing.
10. Community programs	Join a Firewise USA or Fire Risk Reduction Community program.

The yard work in item 9 is a topic of its own, which I cover in my guide to defensible space.

How to claim your discount

1. Complete a wildfire mitigation action.
2. Contact your insurer or agent and report the completed work.
3. Provide proof of completion. The insurer may also require an inspection.
4. Ask for the estimated annual premium savings. Savings begin at the start of your next policy period.

The Department also notes that your insurer verifies Firewise USA participation, so you should not contact the national program to prove it.

Your wildfire risk score

Insurers typically assign a wildfire risk score to a property. According to the Department's September 2026 FAQ, insurers must provide the score when you apply, before a renewal or nonrenewal and when you request it after completing mitigation. They must also explain the score, how to lower it and how much you could save.

If you believe the score is wrong, for example because you finished work since your last renewal, you can appeal. If the appeal is denied, you can ask the Department of Insurance for help at 800-927-4357.

What buyers and sellers can do with this

If you are buying, ask for the wildfire risk score and the discounts the current insurer applies while you are still in your inspection period. If you are selling, a clear 5-foot zone, clean vents and cleared deck areas are inexpensive items that make a home easier to insure and easier to show. If you are weighing the timing of a move, my guide on buying now or waiting for rates to drop can help.

What this guide cannot promise

The Department's pages say discounts depend on your property and what you have done, and each insurer files its own. I cannot promise a number, and I cannot tell you when a given insurer will offer a discount. Ask your agent for a written estimate.

My advice for San Diego buyers

1. Walk the 10 actions around your home and check off what is already done.
2. Start with low-cost items, like the 5-foot zone and vent covers.
3. Keep receipts and photos so you have proof of completion.
4. Ask your insurer for your wildfire risk score and the discounts it applies.
5. Compare more than one insurer, because discounts differ.

A note on advice

I am a REALTOR®, not an insurance agent, attorney or financial advisor, so this guide is general information. A licensed insurance agent or broker can tell you what coverage and prices apply to a specific home.

Related guides

• California FAIR Plan in San Diego: What It Covers and When Buyers Use It
• Defensible Space for San Diego Homeowners: The Zones and Distances Explained
• Homeowners Insurance Nonrenewal in California: What Happens If Your Insurer Drops You
• Earthquake Insurance for San Diego Homeowners: What It Covers and How Deductibles Work
• Should You Buy a Home in San Diego Now or Wait for Rates to Drop?

Frequently asked questions

What is Safer from Wildfires?

It is a California framework that gives insurance discounts to property owners who take specific steps to reduce wildfire risk.

How many actions qualify for a discount?

The Department of Insurance lists 10 actions, and every action under Safer from Wildfires qualifies for an insurance discount.

How do I claim a wildfire discount?

Complete a mitigation action, tell your insurer or agent, and provide proof. The insurer may require an inspection, and savings begin at your next policy period.

Do all insurers give the same discount?

No. Each insurer files its own discounts, so the amounts differ.

What is a wildfire risk score?

It is a score insurers typically assign to a property. They must provide it when you apply, before a renewal or nonrenewal and after you complete mitigation if you ask.

About the author

Trevor Landress is a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901). He was born and raised in San Diego and has been licensed since 2021.

Trevor helps homeowners sell, guides first-time buyers through the home buying process and assists investors with their next acquisition. His work includes negotiating offers, analyzing market trends, building pricing strategies and running marketing campaigns for his listings.

He serves clients across San Diego County, from coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to neighborhoods inland.

Trevor is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team, and he and the Campbell Group consistently rank as a top producing team at Coldwell Banker West each month. He writes these guides to help San Diego buyers and sellers navigate an ever-changing market. To talk through your plans, call or text (619) 402-4614 or contact Trevor Landress.

How I help San Diego home buyers

I help buyers sort out their budget, understand their loan options with a lender, search for homes, write and negotiate offers, keep track of inspection and contingency deadlines and stay organized through closing.

How I help San Diego home sellers

I help sellers price their home, prepare it for the market, market it to buyers, review and negotiate offers and manage the steps from an accepted offer to closing.

Rules and official pages

• California Department of Insurance: Safer from Wildfires
• California Department of Insurance: Safer from Wildfires FAQ (PDF, September 2026)