With wildfire season well underway and the peak of the season yet to arrive, Mercury Insurance has announced two new programs to help Californians better protect their homes and families if they live in areas prone to wildfires.
The insurer will be offering a discount of up to 18% if the policyholder lives in a community that is recognised by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Homeowners who have a California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan policy will now have the option to strengthen their protection with Mercury’s new difference-in-conditions endorsement, which fills the gaps in their FAIR Plan coverage.
Condo owners, Homeowners, or renters with a California FAIR Plan policy can now get a Mercury Insurance difference-in-conditions endorsement to cover the gaps in the FAIR Plan policy. This includes water damages caused by broken pipes, theft and liability.
Policyholders will also have the option for Mercury to cover damages from other perils, including windstorm, hail, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles and vandalism or malicious mischief.
Jane Li, Mercury Insurance’s director of product management commented: “We’re in this together, which is why Mercury is engineering solutions to encourage proactive actions that better protect homeowners from wildfires.
“It’s important for homeowners in these areas to take proactive steps to help shield their property from fire, and it’s just as important for everyone in the community to work together to reduce their shared ignition risks, which could save them money and improve their insurance eligibility.
“Mercury’s difference-in-conditions endorsement could provide greater savings and even more protection for many Californians. The endorsement can be bundled with a Mercury auto policy for an even larger discount.”
Michele Steinberg, NFPA’s wildfire division director added: “It’s important to realize that reducing wildfire losses is not just about a single home in a neighbourhood.
“When an entire neighbourhood or community takes collective action, everyone benefits by reducing the threat of a wildfire. Firewise USA® is focused on community-wide behaviour change over time that helps protect lives and property when neighbours follow the steps outlined in the program.”
