Why Insurance Companies Now Require Resilience UpgradesAnd Why It Matters Before We Write an Offer

CONFUSED ?   

WE GOT YOU!   TEXT US AT 310-801-0633 , AND WE WILL SEND YOU A LIST OF LICENSED CONTRACTORS WHO CAN HELP WITH THESE RESILIENCE UPGRADES  

Click here for immediate information

In today’s Los Angeles luxury market, insurance underwriting has changed dramatically.

Insurance carriers no longer evaluate properties based only on square footage and rebuild cost. They now analyze:

• Wildfire modeling data• Ember exposure risk• Roofing and vent materials• Vegetation proximity• Coastal corrosion exposure• Electrical infrastructure vulnerability

In other words, insurers are evaluating risk resilience, not just replacement value.

What Insurance Companies Are Looking For

🔥 1. Fire-Resistant Construction

Underwriters now commonly verify:

• Class A fire-rated roofing• Ember-resistant attic vents• Enclosed eaves• Tempered dual-pane windows• Non-combustible siding materials

Why?Because 60–90% of homes lost in wildfires ignite from wind-driven embers — not direct flame.

If a home has vulnerable vents, untreated wood eaves, or combustible decking, insurers may:

• Increase premiums• Raise deductibles• Exclude wildfire coverage• Or decline the policy entirely

🌿 2. Defensible Space Compliance

Insurers increasingly review satellite imagery and vegetation proximity.

They look for:

• 0–5 ft non-combustible zone around the structure• Proper tree spacing• Trimmed canopies• Clearance between rooflines and branches

If vegetation is too close to the structure, underwriting friction increases.

This is especially relevant even in coastal communities during Santa Ana wind events.

🌊 3. Coastal & Corrosion Exposure

For South Bay and coastal luxury properties, insurers evaluate:

• Salt-air corrosion impact• Elevated mechanical systems• Drainage and waterproofing• Seawall or bluff stability (if applicable)

Homes near the ocean face accelerated material degradation, increasing rebuild risk.

Carriers want to see preventative upgrades in place.

⚡ 4. Electrical & Power Infrastructure

Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during fire weather events have changed underwriting.

Insurers view backup systems favorably, especially in luxury estates with:

• Security systems• Elevators• Smart home infrastructure• Temperature-controlled wine rooms

Whole-house generators or battery systems reduce property risk during outages.

Why This Matters Before Writing an Offer

A luxury property must be:

✔ Insurable

✔ Financeable

✔ Transactionally stable

If a buyer cannot secure insurance at reasonable terms, the lender may not fund the loan.

We now verify insurability early to prevent:

• Escrow delays

• Price renegotiation

• Forced use of the California FAIR Plan

• Coverage gaps

•Deal cancellations

In today’s market, insurability is part of due diligence — not an afterthought.

What Are Resilience Upgrades?

Resilience upgrades are improvements that reduce underwriting risk and protect asset value.

They include:

• Fire-rated roofing and ember vents

• Hardscape buffers and defensible landscaping

• Tempered glass and enclosed eaves

• Marine-grade hardware in coastal zones

• Whole-house backup power systems

• Modernized electrical panels

These upgrades:

• Improve insurance eligibility

• Strengthen buyer confidence

• Protect long-term resale value

• Reduce climate-related depreciation

The Bigger Picture

Luxury real estate is evolving.

It is no longer defined solely by design and location.

It is defined by:

• Durability

• Insurability

• Adaptability

• Long-term asset protection

In Los Angeles County — including the South Bay — resilience is becoming a competitive advantage.

Homes that are proactively upgraded sell with less friction and greater confidence.

And in today’s environment, confidence is value.