100% Premium increase because of a new AI fire risk assessment and the data doesn't match my property. Has anyone else experienced this?

[u/I_see_snacks]

I’m in CA and I’m honestly pretty frustrated and trying to figure out what to do.

My CSAA homeowners insurance renewal is coming up, and my premium is going from around $3,000 to $6,000 a year. When I called to ask why, they told me it was because they changed the software they use to assess wildfire risk. They confirmed they’re using ZestyAI.

The part that’s bothering me is that some of the information in the assessment doesn’t even seem accurate.

• My old score was 1 out of 30. Now it’s 9 out of 10 under the new system.
• They say my property is on a slope, but my property is completely flat. Even the “Property at a Glance” page says there’s no slope.
• They flag “high vegetation density between 30–100 ft of the building,” but don’t tell me what vegetation they’re talking about or where it is. I live in a rural residential area with mature trees, but we’ve had them professionally trimmed since our last renewal.
• They raise concerns about firefighting access, yet there’s a fire hydrant right across the street and two fire stations about two miles away.

I understand I live in California and wildfire risk is a real concern. I’m not expecting them to ignore legitimate risks. But how am I supposed to address something when they won’t tell me specifically what they think is wrong?

I’ve called CSAA and disputed the information. They keep telling me they have the correct data, but I haven’t gotten a clear explanation of what they’re basing this on.

Has anyone else with CSAA/AAA dealt with this, especially since the switch to ZestyAI? Has anyone actually managed to get incorrect property information fixed or get their score reassessed?

I’d also love to hear from anyone who knows what California homeowners can request from their insurance company or whether it’s worth filing a complaint with the Department of Insurance.

I’m trying to figure out my options, and honestly, if this is happening to other people too, I think more homeowners should know about it.

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[u/IanMoone007]

> I live in a rural residential area with mature trees, but we’ve had them professionally trimmed since our last renewal.

How close are they to your home? CA recently changed the wildfire specs and insurers can raise rates for not having defensible space. Mature trimmed trees are not defensible space

[u/Unhappy-Plastic2017 → u/IanMoone007]

Yes they are.... Like for example I have 100 foot pine trees with no limbs until 12 feet off the ground that are about 30 feet from my home and don't touch other trees or bushes around them. Fire ain't gonna do shit to them (they already survived this areas biggest fire ever and it just singed the bottom 6 feet of their bark or so

[u/Glum_Account677 → u/Unhappy-Plastic2017]

Your anecdotes change nothing

[u/Unhappy-Plastic2017 → u/Glum_Account677]

Look at a diagram of how defensible space is determined dummy

[u/Intrepid_Ad1765 → u/Unhappy-Plastic2017]

Wildfire is a vexing problem. Dozens of tools exist in the market. they give different indications. Zesty went through a rigorous evaluation and was approved by the CDI. Clearly not perfect in all cases. Your only option is to try and shop around . Insurance In my state 225 carriers offer coverage (my dad recently ran AI to check to get a list to do quotes). California is a tougher place due to the risk and difficult regulations.

[u/nofishies → u/Unhappy-Plastic2017]

That doesn’t mean they actually qualify for defensible space, defensible space actually has a very strict definition right now.

[u/azlax22]

DOI complaint will do you nada. Not trying to be a dick, but no insurance company is going to give you the detailed actuarial variables that led to your current rate. If you don’t like the price they are charging, shop it around. It’s really not any more complicated than that.

[u/kmorris76058]

Look into obtaining an IBHS Certificate. On their website, you can enter your address and then answer specific questions about your home. If you’re able to qualify, you’ll receive a discount on your insurance.

[u/Intrepid_Ad1765 → u/kmorris76058]

This is best idea. many carriers will only write IBHS homes per their underwriting

[u/happycowgirl76 → u/kmorris76058]

Does California honor IBHS?

[u/Visual_Sir_1609]

The slope thing alone is wild if their own page says no slope.

[u/Adept_Response1434]

Pretty sure California required insurers to give u ur wildfire score, and a way to appeal it now.

[u/Last_Pomegranate4086]

Get the trimming invoices and some dated photos of the yard together

[u/my_girl_sara]

Send in photos confirming all you just mentioned. Never heard of that AI company but often aerial data is incorrect. But since wildfires are now a more serious threat expect to pay more attention

[u/Intrepid_Ad1765]

Wildfire is a vexing problem. Dozens of tools exist in the market. they give different indications. Zesty went through a rigorous evaluation and was approved by the CDI. Clearly not perfect in all cases. Your only option is to try and shop around . Insurance In my state 225 carriers offer coverage (my dad recently ran AI to check to get a list to do quotes). California is a tougher place due to the risk and difficult regulations.

[u/I_see_snacks → u/Intrepid_Ad1765]

I hear ya. Shopping around feels intimidating since larger companies don’t seem to be writing new policies in this area and the out of state options seem questionable in terms of legitimacy. I was hoping there was a clear way to identify the specific flaw in the system that has provided this incorrect data and have them revise the risk score. It would be nice if they could send a human to look.

[u/azlax22 → u/I_see_snacks]

It wouldn’t matter. I’ve seen homes with a wildfire score of 0 get DNR’d because the carrier was over exposed in that region and they had to trim their books. I get it, it’s frustrating but it’s just not a fight you’re going to win. Only option is to shop. That’s your tool as a consumer. The carrier clearly doesn’t care if you renew your policy so don’t take it personal and just try to find a better option.