How Property Owners in Rural Areas Can Make Their Homes More Insurable(And Why It Matters More Than Ever)
Welcome! I’m Ashlynne, co-owner of VP Custom Insurance Solutions.
My goal with this blog is to make insurance easier to understand—answering the questions that often go unasked and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to be an agent.
Now, let’s dive into what you came here for.
The Reality We’re All Feeling
If you live in a rural area, especially in regions with higher wildfire exposure, you’ve probably felt the shift in insurance.
Rates are going up.
Options are tightening.
And it can feel like the rules are changing faster than we can keep up.
I hear it every day, and honestly, I feel it too.
One of the biggest changes we’re seeing right now is that insurance is no longer just about price. It is also about whether a property is considered insurable in the first place.
What “Insurable” Actually Means
This is a term that’s being used more often, but not always explained.
When an insurance company looks at your property today, they are asking one main question:
“How likely is this property to have a loss?”
That comes down to things like:
• Wildfire exposure
• Property condition
• What surrounds the home
• What it would cost to rebuild
If a property does not fit within a company’s guidelines, it does not always mean you cannot get insurance. It does mean your options may be more limited or look different than they used to.
The good news is that many of these factors are within your control.
What Carriers Are Really Looking At
This is where things have shifted the most over the last few years.
Insurance companies are paying much closer attention to details that may have been overlooked before.
Defensible Space
This is one of the most important factors.
Clearing vegetation, trimming trees, and creating space around your home can make a noticeable difference in how your property is viewed.
In areas like the Eastern Sierra, we see how much of an impact this can have, but the same principle applies anywhere wildfire risk is a concern.
Roof Condition
Roofs matter more than most people expect.
An older or poorly maintained roof can limit your options. A newer or well-maintained roof can work in your favor.
General Property Maintenance
This does not have to be perfect, but it does need to show care.
Things like siding, decks, and overall upkeep all play a role in how underwriters assess risk.
Rebuilding Costs
Making sure your home is insured to the correct value is important. This protects you in the event of a claim and helps ensure your coverage is aligned with current costs.
What You Can Actually Do
This is the part that matters most.
Even though the market is changing, you still have control over how your property is presented.
Some practical steps include:
• Maintaining defensible space throughout the year
• Keeping up with repairs and general maintenance
• Documenting upgrades and improvements
• Reviewing your coverage to ensure rebuilding costs are accurate
None of these things have to happen all at once, but over time they can make a meaningful difference.
Why This Matters Before Renewal
Most of these factors come into play when your policy is up for renewal.
That is when companies are reassessing risk and deciding whether to continue coverage and under what terms.
If changes have been made to your property, or if something has shifted, having that conversation before renewal gives you more options and helps avoid surprises.
A Quick Note on Working With an Agent
This is where having someone who understands rural properties can really help.
Not just someone who can provide a quote, but someone who understands how these risks are evaluated and how the market is shifting.
Insurance is not static. It evolves, and having someone who is paying attention to those changes helps you stay a step ahead.
Final Thoughts
Insurance is not what it was a few years ago, especially for properties in rural or higher-risk areas, and it will likely continue to evolve.
Staying informed, taking small proactive steps, and having open conversations about your property can go a long way in keeping your options open.
If you ever want to review your coverage or talk through your property, we are always here to help.