La Habra Heights committee urges homeowners to respond quickly to parcel-level fire scoring and nonrenewal notices

Guan Lee, chair of the La Habra Heights Emergency Preparedness Committee, told residents at a community workshop that insurers are moving from ZIP-code underwriting to property-specific fire scoring and that homeowners should respond quickly if they receive a nonrenewal notice. "If you get a non-renewal notice, ask your agent or whoever sent the letter to send you the documentation why the not renewing," he said, advising homeowners to correct flagged items promptly.

Lee said recent California code changes and 2026 legislative movement mean insurers must offer renewals to properties that can show they are "fire safe" and that parcel-level inspections — including aerial imagery that flags algae, debris or visible roof issues — will drive eligibility and rate adjustments. He listed mitigation steps insurers will look for: Class A roofing, ember-resistant attic vents with finer mesh, enclosed eaves, multi-pane or tempered glazing and cleared defensible space.

Lee framed those measures as cost-effective compared with replacing an entire house after a loss: "We're trying to educate as to how do you maintain your home at a lower cost rather than trying to go and fix the whole thing," he said. He estimated participation in Firewise USA and documented mitigation can produce modest premium discounts (he cited roughly 5% for community Firewise participation and larger credits for more extensive measures) and said fully documented home-hardening work may substantially reduce premiums over time.

The committee emphasized practical next steps for residents who receive insurer notices: request the insurer's documentation, address the specific items raised (for example, clean algae, remove debris, install vent screening), and obtain certification or inspection reports from licensed contractors to present to underwriters. Lee and the committee said they will circulate a one-page checklist of common insurer expectations and information on vendor contacts and available vouchers.

The workshop stressed that property-level conditions and nearby fuels can affect underwriting: Lee noted that if neighboring vegetation is within a few feet and presents ladder fuels, that can complicate coverage even if a homeowner takes steps on their own property. He urged homeowners not to forgo coverage entirely, saying some combination of private-market policies, the FAIR Plan and excess-and-surplus markets remain available but vary in cost and coverage.

The committee encouraged residents to bring questions and documentation to regular EPC meetings and to participate in neighborhood preparedness activities that can improve community-level risk and insurability. The meeting concluded with organizers repeating the core advice: respond promptly to nonrenewal notices, document mitigation with licensed contractors, and pursue simple maintenance to reduce risk and preserve coverage.