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Residents raise wildfire-related homeowners insurance concerns; county points to Firewise and mitigation resources
Summary
Clinton and other community councils reported concerns about homeowners insurance losses and premium increases tied to wildfire risk; county staff advised that insurance decisions are company-specific and recommended Firewise and local wildfire mitigation specialists.
Residents at the May 28 Missoula County all-community council meeting raised fears that homeowners insurance could be canceled or become unaffordable because of wildfire risk.
Bonnie Roberts, representing the Clinton Community Council, recounted a community member’s report that “they plan on canceling all of Western Montana's homeowners insurance” and said some neighbors had seen large premium increases. Roberts said one neighbor’s premium had risen by about $600 a month and another household was considering leaving the state because of rising costs.
Dave responded that the problem is “partially true” but “not fully true,” and is insurance-company specific. He described how catastrophic losses elsewhere have led some insurers to drop or limit policies in higher-risk areas and advised residents to “shop around with insurance companies.” He also described mitigation steps that had helped one neighborhood retain coverage, including becoming a Firewise community and addressing the “home ignition zone” around houses.
County staff offered to connect councils with wildfire mitigation specialists. Kyla suggested that wildfire prevention staff could attend local council meetings; a follow-up offer was made for a county fire prevention specialist to visit East Missoula and Clinton councils.
Lolo’s council reported a separate presentation by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Hamilton office about Firewise communities and a DNRC grant program for forest thinning; Lolo plans to begin reviewing its land-use and growth-policy materials this summer. Council members said DNRC’s presentation included contact information and grant details that could assist neighborhoods seeking mitigation activities.
No formal policy or regulatory action was taken during the meeting; staff direction was limited to offers to connect councils with wildfire mitigation specialists and informational resources.
