Part 2: Work on your house · Chapter 9

The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation

Wildfire Prepared Home is a voluntary designation program from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit research group funded by the insurance industry ¹². It's available in California and 13 other states ¹.

Levels

There are two levels. IBHS's June 2026 announcement calls them Essential, which is about wind-blown embers, and Enhanced, which adds protection from radiant heat and direct flames ³. Essential was formerly called Base, and Enhanced was formerly Plus ³. IBHS says the names are being updated and that you may see both sets while it makes the change. It says the requirements aren't changing ².

IBHS says most existing homes can be retrofitted to Essential, and Enhanced is more often reached in new construction or a major exterior renovation ¹. A home has to meet every required action for its level ¹.

Fee and process

IBHS lists a $125 application fee, nonrefundable, as read on 2026-11-09. Mitigation work is extra ¹². Payment doesn't guarantee a designation ¹.

1. Do the work using IBHS's How-To Prepare Checklist ¹.
2. Apply online, pay, and upload photos ¹.
3. After a photo review, a third-party evaluator visits to verify materials and collect photos. If no evaluator is available in your area, IBHS says you may be asked to use an approved self-inspection app ¹.
4. IBHS's audit team reviews the results. If something is missing, you have 60 days to fix it and resubmit ¹.

How long it lasts

A designation is valid for three years. You complete an Annual Review with updated photos at one year and again at two years to keep it active, and you can apply to renew as the three years end ¹². IBHS says adding combustible material in the 0 to 5 foot zone puts the designation at risk ².

Insurers

IBHS says discounts aren't guaranteed and vary by insurer and state, and that many insurers recognize the designation ². This guide doesn't list insurers, because none of the IBHS or insurer pages we checked name the California insurers that recognize it. IBHS says its member insurers can look up whether an address has an active designation, and it tells shoppers to ask each insurer what benefits apply ². IBHS also says you can share the certificate with your agent to explore possible incentives ¹.

The designation doesn't promise a lower premium or continued coverage. Your insurer decides what it counts.

Sources

1. Wildfire Prepared (IBHS), "About Wildfire Prepared Home." https://wildfireprepared.org/get-started/ (read 2026-11-09)

2. Wildfire Prepared (IBHS), "Frequently Asked Questions." https://wildfireprepared.org/frequently-asked-questions/ (read 2026-11-09)

3. IBHS, "IBHS rounds out Wildfire Prepared program with Neighborhood and Multifamily standards, updates Home requirements." https://ibhs.org/ibhs-news-releases/ibhs-rounds-out-wildfire-prepared-program-with-neighborhood-and-multifamily-standards-updates-home-requirements/ (read 2026-11-09)