If you own a home in Wyoming, 2024 was a wake-up call. Over 850,000 acres burned across the state—the second-worst wildfire season in Wyoming history, topped only by the infamous Yellowstone fires of 1988. What made this year particularly alarming wasn't just the scale, but where fires burned: primarily on private land, putting homeowners directly in harm's way. If you're wondering how to protect your home and navigate the increasingly complicated world of wildfire insurance, you're not alone.
Understanding Wildfire Coverage in Wyoming
Here's the good news: most standard homeowners insurance policies in Wyoming do cover wildfire damage. Fire coverage is included in every basic policy, and if your home is damaged or destroyed by wildfire, your insurer will cover repairs or rebuilding—up to your policy limits. This typically includes your dwelling, other structures like detached garages, and your personal belongings.
But there's a catch that's becoming harder to ignore. Insurance companies are rethinking their exposure to wildfire risk across the Mountain West. Some Wyoming homeowners report their premiums doubling or even tripling within a single year. Others are receiving non-renewal notices, meaning their insurer simply won't cover them anymore. A 2024 U.S. Senate Budget Committee report specifically identified Wyoming as one of the states where carriers are dropping customers due to increased wildfire risk.
If you live in a wildfire-prone area—and with over 2,000 fires in 2024, that's more of Wyoming than you might think—your insurer may impose special requirements. They might require you to maintain defensible space around your home, clearing flammable vegetation and debris. Some policies explicitly exclude wildfire coverage in the highest-risk zones, forcing homeowners to seek separate fire insurance policies or endorsements.
The Real Cost of Wildfire Insurance
Wyoming homeowners pay an average of about $1,721 per year for homeowners insurance—roughly mid-range compared to the rest of the country. If you have a mortgage, you're probably paying between $1,500 and $2,000 annually. Own your home outright? Expect premiums in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.
But these averages mask a troubling trend. Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas are seeing dramatic increases. What cost $1,200 last year might cost $2,400 or even $3,600 this year, depending on your property's risk profile. The Wyoming Department of Insurance has confirmed that droughts, heatwaves, and the resulting wildfires are driving these rate hikes, along with increased labor and building material costs that make rebuilding more expensive.
If your current insurer drops you, your options get more expensive. You might need to turn to a surplus lines carrier—essentially a non-standard insurer that covers high-risk properties. These policies almost always cost significantly more and often provide less coverage than standard policies. In Wyoming, as in other western states, this is becoming a reality for more homeowners every year.
Protecting Your Home and Your Coverage
The single most important thing you can do is create defensible space around your home. This means clearing flammable vegetation, dead branches, pine needles, and other combustible materials away from your house. In Teton County, for example, the minimum required defensible space is 30 feet, following the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. If your property can't accommodate this, you'll need increased ignition-resistant construction.
The University of Wyoming Extension publishes detailed guidance on defensible space landscaping, and the Wyoming State Forestry Division offers free consultations with local Fuels Mitigation Coordinators who can assess your property and recommend specific improvements. These aren't just suggestions—many insurers now require photographic evidence of defensible space maintenance before they'll issue or renew a policy.
Beyond vegetation management, consider hardening your home against fire. This includes installing fire-resistant roofing materials, using tempered glass windows, boxing in eaves and overhangs, and screening vents to prevent ember intrusion. While these upgrades require upfront investment, they can make the difference between keeping your current insurer at reasonable rates or being forced into the high-risk market.
Some insurers are going further. Chubb, for instance, offers Wildfire Defense Services to its Wyoming policyholders at no extra charge. This program provides personalized protection recommendations and, most notably, can dispatch private firefighters to your property if a wildfire threatens your home. While Chubb policies aren't budget-friendly, this kind of proactive protection represents where the insurance industry is heading for high-value homes in fire-prone areas.
What to Do If You're Dropped or Denied Coverage
Receiving a non-renewal notice is scary, but you have options. First, don't wait until the last minute. Start shopping for new coverage immediately—you'll need time to compare quotes and coverage terms. Use comparison tools to get quotes from multiple carriers, as wildfire risk assessment varies between insurers. What one company considers uninsurable, another might cover at a higher premium.
If you've been denied by multiple standard insurers, you may need to explore surplus lines carriers. These companies specialize in high-risk properties that traditional insurers won't touch. Yes, they're more expensive, and yes, they often offer less comprehensive coverage, but they're better than going uninsured. If you have a mortgage, remember that your lender requires insurance—being uninsured isn't an option.
Consider working with an independent insurance agent who specializes in high-risk properties. They have relationships with multiple carriers, including surplus lines companies you might not find on your own. They can also advise you on specific mitigation steps that might make your property more insurable or help you qualify for better rates.
Taking Action Before the Next Fire Season
Wyoming's 2024 wildfire season was a preview of what's likely to come. Climate patterns, drought conditions, and decades of fuel accumulation create a perfect storm for increasingly severe fire seasons. The insurance industry is responding by pricing risk more accurately—which means higher premiums—and in some cases, refusing to take on that risk at all.
Don't wait for a non-renewal notice to take action. Review your current policy to confirm you have adequate dwelling coverage—rebuilding costs have increased significantly, and you want to make sure you're not underinsured. Document your defensible space efforts with photos and keep records of any fire-resistant improvements you make to your property. These can help during claims processing and may qualify you for discounts.
Most importantly, get quotes from multiple insurers now, even if you're happy with your current coverage. Knowing what options are available gives you leverage if your rates spike or you receive a non-renewal notice. The worst time to shop for insurance is when you're facing a coverage gap. Being proactive puts you in control.
