Fire Mitigation FAQ’s

1. What does it mean to be a Firewise USA-designated community?

Firewise USA is a nationwide program that aims to educate communities about fire preparedness and how citizens can work together to limit the impacts of wildfires. Rancho Mission Viejo has taken steps to address fire safety in its community design, national builder home construction, landscaping, land management, education and community engagement which has been recognized with a Firewise USA designation from the National Fire Protection Association. The villages of Sendero, Esencia and Rienda within Rancho Mission Viejo represent the first master-planned communities to receive this prestigious designation.

Rancho Mission Viejo exceeds state requirements for fire severity zones through the implementation of a science-based fire protection plan, a three-party agreement between Rancho Mission Viejo, OCFA and the County of Orange.

For more information about Firewise, please click here.

2. Do I get a discount on my fire insurance since Rancho Mission Viejo is a Firewise USA designated community?

Some insurance companies provide a discount for policyholders within a Firewise USA designated community. Please make sure your agent is aware, and you have shared the Firewise certificate which can be downloaded from your RanchLife Resident Portal. Insurance rates may vary.

3. What if I run into an issue getting fire insurance?

In the event a homeowner is unable to get insurance through a regular insurance carrier, the property owner can apply for coverage under the California FAIR Plan. The FAIR Plan provides coverage only for damage caused by fire, lightning, internal explosion and smoke, and only for high-risk properties when traditional insurance is unavailable. An insurance broker will perform a search for comprehensive coverage in the traditional insurance marketplace to determine if the FAIR Plan is the only option. The FAIR Plan offers replacement cost coverage with a maximum coverage of $3 million per residential dwelling. If the FAIR Plan coverage is the only option, the resident or business owner must still obtain supplemental insurance to provide the equivalent of comprehensive homeowners insurance. For more information on the FAIR Plan, please click here.

4. Does living at Rancho Mission Viejo mean my fire insurance will increase?

Insurance carriers are increasingly aware of the wildfire resiliency mitigations that have been implemented in Rancho Mission Viejo, and are setting insurance rates accordingly. The recent fires in Los Angeles have made the cost and availability of fire insurance top of mind for many. This recent OC Register article provides a high-level overview of what California homeowners may come to expect as it relates to fire insurance renewals.

5. What is Rancho Mission Viejo’s Wildfire Protection Plan?

To view The Ranch’s Wildfire Protection Plan, please click here.