Homeowners Fire Protection with Wildfire Defense Systems

When you buy a home, it’s as much an achievement as it is an investment — and you want the best possible protection for it. That means knowing your risk factors and planning ahead. For homeowners in the United States, especially the western half of the country, that's likely to involve wildfire preparation.

To help with that, we've partnered with Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. (WDS) — a leader in wildfire risk management and response. They will offer their proven suite of wildfire prevention, mitigation and post-fire suppression services to our homeowners insurance customers in certain areas such as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.*

Note that WDS isn’t a replacement for your local fire department; instead, they work a step ahead. Their mission is to prepare your home and limit losses as much as possible.

Why You Need Wildfire Protection

With drought conditions affecting the west, wildfire season can span much of the year. In fact, over the last decade, an average of 63,000 fires burned each year, consuming 7.5 million acres in the process.

All it takes to set a firestorm in motion is a tiny, often accidental spark.

Having a wildfire prevention and evacuation plan in place ahead of time is crucial. If you live in an area prone to these fires, you may already know all too well how quickly they can spread. When a threat approaches, there’s often little time to react and prepare.

How Much Does the Wildfire Defense Services Endorsement Cost?

The new Wildfire Defense Services endorsement will be automatically added to American Family Insurance homeowners insurance policies at no extra charge for our customers in select states.**

To put it another way, you’re getting even more coverage for your dollar!

If you'd prefer to opt out of the WDS endorsement, we can help with that too. Reach out to your agent or call us at 1-800-692-6326 to learn more.

Let’s look at how WDS's response services work to help better prepare your home’s defenses.

How Does the Wildfire Defense Services Endorsement Work?

With so much on the line, it’s crucial to have a total fire protection plan in place before you need it.

Before danger arrives, WDS may deploy a crew of fire protection contractors to you. The team will check for any combustibles in and around your home that could fuel a more intense fire. They'll assess risks to your property and help get it prepared for a fire event.

Wildfire preparation

To start, they’ll rake leaves and clear the area of any debris and accelerants. This includes things like:

• Dry grass in your yard
• Leaves in your gutter
• Fallen leaves and debris on your roof
• Firewood along your home
• Wooden patio furniture
• Gas cans
• Propane tanks
• Cleaning supplies

These fire protection services help before a firestorm heads your way. By removing that pile of leaves and storing chemicals in a safe place, they can help keep fire from intensifying around your home.

As fire threat approaches

At this point, the WDS rapid fire protection crew may take elevated measures to defend your home.*

This can include covering it with a special Class A fire-resistant foam or gel. The non-toxic, fire-retardant gel creates a protective layer that can last for hours. It’s made of about 98% water and used on all types of trees and vegetation.

They may also add temporary home fire sprinklers to help halt an advancing fire. Home fire sprinkler systems are a wonderful way to keep fires contained in a short amount of time. Residential fire sprinkler systems can coat the nearby area or douse a burning house. Along with that, they may set up a portable water supply to battle any approaching flames.

After the wildfire

Did you know that fire damage to homes can occur after wildfires have swept through?

Once the threat passes and it’s safe to come back, the crew may return to manage the situation. They’ll attempt to put out nearby hot spots and smoldering areas that pose a fire risk to your property. This crucial step can further protect your home from considerable damage.

When it comes to cleaning up, WDS takes care of that too. Through a simple washing process, they’ll remove any non-toxic gels or chemicals used. They'll collect any physical barriers or fire-blocking tape and return any moved furniture.

Get Protection Against Wildfires

Protecting what you work hard for takes proactive effort. There are steps you can take to help lessen the impact a wildfire makes in your life. While absolute fire protection may not be a possibility, you can rest assured you're a step closer with us.

For homeowners living in high-risk wildfire states, we're here to help. We’d love to discuss fire safety and the options available to help keep you and all that you work for protected.

Contact your agent today for more details about this coverage, and learn more about WDS by visiting their website.

*WDS and Wildfire Defense Systems are trademarks of Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc.® Wildfire Defense Systems is a third-party supplier and not owned or operated by American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I. or its Operating Companies. WDS offers no guarantee that wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts, when provided, will prevent damage from occurring. WDS is not a first responder and their services are supplemental to all other public wildfire responders.

**American Family Insurance has added a Wildfire Defense Services Endorsement to all homeowners policies in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This coverage is not currently available for condo, manufactured homes or renters policies. Additional states may be added subject to regulatory approval. The addition of this endorsement in your homeowners policy is not a guarantee of service; no promise is made that services will be provided. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. is not responsible for services provided by third-party suppliers.