Insurers Applaud Habitat for Humanity of Butte County’s Decision to Build to IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Plus Standard

PRESS RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL MARCH 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM

APCIA says continued adoption and use of IBHS mitigation standards should positively impact availability and affordability of insurance in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The following statement from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is in response to today's announcement from the Habitat for Humanity of Butte County (HFHBC) that it will build all future affordable homes in the community to the Wildfire Prepared Home Plus standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This statement can be attributed to Karen Collins, APCIA vice president environmental & property.

"We applaud HFHBC's decision to prioritize community safety and resilience through their commitment to build future homes to the Wildfire Prepared Home Plus standard. HFHBC is leading the way towards a more resilient future by building homes and communities that can better withstand the devastating impacts of wildfire. In reducing a home's risk of ignition from embers, heat and direct flames, homeowners can adapt and live with wildfire.

"This research-based wildfire mitigation standard provides homeowners in high-risk areas with critical steps they can take to protect their home from wildfires. Following a decade of wildfire research, IBHS has scientifically demonstrated that homeowners can meaningfully reduce their wildfire risk, and construction of more homes that meet the Wildfire Prepared Home Plus designation may help homeowners improve their ability to obtain insurance.

"Increasing resilience is a critical component to improving overall housing affordability in the long term. Through mitigation, property owners should anticipate a significant return on investment as studies show resilience typically leads to higher property resale values, cost savings from loss avoidance, and more affordable insurance premiums when resilience is achieved at scale. As more homes are hardened and more communities follow HFHBC's lead, over time California should see a meaningful decrease in losses, which should positively impact insurance costs in the state. Insurers applaud their decision to build to the highest standard available. This leadership and commitment to resilience will help protect the HFHBC families and communities. We hope more communities will adopt this research-based building standard which will reduce risk and losses over time."