Oregon lawmakers, regulators and insurers press for insurance solutions as wildfire losses climb

Salem — Chair Golden convened the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire on May 22, 2025, for an informational session on homeowners insurance amid growing wildfire risk, where state regulators, insurers and wildfire researchers described how data-driven mitigation and public–private partnerships could help stabilize availability and cost for affected homeowners.

The hearing brought into focus two linked problems: sharply higher wildfire-related losses and the need for reliable, science-based measures that let insurers recognize mitigation. "Insurance is all about transferring risk," Andrew Stolfi, director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) and state insurance commissioner, told the committee. He said Oregon has seen roughly $4,000,000,000 in estimated catastrophe losses this decade — about four times the preceding 40 years combined — and that trend is reshaping underwriting and pricing decisions.

Why this matters: higher losses and rising construction and reinsurance costs have led some insurers to reduce exposure or raise premiums, limiting homeowners' options in fire-prone areas. Committee members asked regulators and industry how the state can make insurance both available and affordable for homeowners who take mitigation steps.

Regulators' framework and transparency efforts

Commissioner Stolfi and Deputy Commissioner TK Keane described the regulatory framework created by Senate Bill 82 (2023), which requires insurers to consider wildfire mitigation actions — such as defensible space and home hardening — in underwriting and rating…