Why FireSmart discounts still aren’t standardized, even as mandatory rules gain support

By Josh Recamara
Insurance Business Magazine
August 17, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada, Canada West

As wildfires continue burning across BC, experts are renewing calls to make FireSmart wildfire mitigation principles mandatory rather than voluntary. Mike Flannigan, at Thompson Rivers University, argued that in high-risk locations, FireSmart measures only work if applied consistently – because one unprotected neighbouring property can still spread embers that ignite a FireSmart-compliant home nearby. The debate is not new. …For brokers, the more consequential story is one the industry has been aware of for years: FireSmart certification exists, can be verified, and demonstrably reduces risk – but there is still no standardised way for that to translate into a lower premium in Canada. …Standard homeowner policies still cover fire damage regardless of whether a property meets FireSmart standards, and evacuation-related coverage still triggers independent of mitigation status. But as more provinces and municipalities weigh mandatory resilience requirements… FireSmart certification is likely to become a more common client question.

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