Wildfire hardening discounts can be claimed by California homeowners with FAIR Plan insurance. Ember-resistant vent screens, installed by Total Screen, are one way you can earn these discounts, so contact us today for more info.
Most of homes destroyed in the 2025 Palisades fire didn't catch fire from direct flame contact, they burned because of embers.
California's FAIR Plan discount program now gives homeowners a financial reason to harden their properties against exactly this kind of loss.
California's FAIR Plan Discount Program
For a bit of background, the California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort.
The FAIR Plan offers wildfire hardening discounts to 'Dwelling Fire' and 'Commercial' policyholders, if the policyholder takes steps to make their homes and businesses safer from wildfires.
Maximum Discount Available
'Dwelling Fire' policies can receive up to 13.8% total discount.
'Commercial' policies can receive up to 16.4% total discount.
These percentages represent the combined maximum amount of discount available to policyholders.
Total Screen Helps You Qualify
One of the 12 qualifying discounts specifically relates to ember-resistant vent screens.
Total Screen installs these ember-resistant vent screens on home's exterior vents.
Ember-resistant vent screens should be installed on foundation vents, gable vents, ground, and dormer vents.
We install ember screens with a 1/16-inch gauge, powder-coated metal mesh which reduces ember intrusion while maintaining proper ventilation.
Our installations meet California Building Code Chapter 7A requirements for 'approved wire mesh covering'.
A foundation vent which has been properly covered with an ember-resistant vent screen, installed by Total Screen.
After installation, we provide an installation receipt that you can submit to your FAIR Plan insurance agent.
Getting ember screens installed by Total Screen qualifies you for one of the California FAIR Plan's 'Structure Discounts', and it reduces your risk from the leading cause of structure loss during wildfire: ember ignition.
The 12 Individual Wildfire Hardening Discounts
The FAIR Plan divides available discounts into 4 main categories: 5 Immediate Surroundings Discounts, 5 Structure Discounts, 1 Property Level Completion Discount, and 1 Community Discount.
'Immediate Surroundings' Discounts (5 Total)
These focus on the defensible space immediately around your home.
(1) Vegetation and debris cleared from under decks. Decks collect dry leaves and debris. These fuel sources sit directly against your home's structure.
(2) Combustible materials cleared within 5 feet of the dwelling. This includes vegetation, debris, mulch, and other flammable items. The 5-foot zone is where ember ignition risk peaks.
(3) Only noncombustible materials in improvements within 5 feet. This covers fencing and gates near your home. Wood fencing creates a direct fire pathway to your structure.
(4) Combustible sheds and outbuildings are 30+ feet from the dwelling. Or as far as possible within your property boundaries. Sheds and detached structures shouldn't serve as stepping stones for fire spread.
(5) Trees trimmed, brush removed, and compliance with California Public Resources Code Section 4291. This is the statewide defensible space law. It requires 100 feet of clearance in most areas.
'Structure' Discounts (5 Total)
These address your home's physical construction and materials.
(1) Class-A Fire Rated Roof. This includes asphalt fiberglass composition shingles, stone, concrete or clay tile, or metal roofing.
(2) Enclosed eaves. Open eaves allow embers to enter attic spaces directly. Enclosing them blocks this entry point.
(3) Ember and fire-resistant vents with approved wire mesh covering. This is where Total Screen's service directly qualifies for discounts. We install code-compliant screens on all exterior vents.
(4) Upgraded windows (multi-paned) or functional shutters. Single-pane windows crack from radiant heat. Multi-pane windows provide better thermal protection.
(5) 6 inches at the bottom of all exterior walls made of non-combustible material. This protects the vulnerable base of your home where embers accumulate.
'Property Level Completion' Discount (1 Total)
An additional completion discount is offered when all 10 of the above criteria are met.
This bonus rewards comprehensive wildfire hardening. Completing both the Immediate Surroundings and Structure categories unlocks this extra discount.
'Community' Discount (1 Total)
This discount has 2 qualifying pathways.
(1a) Dwelling/Structure is located in a Fire Risk Reduction Community listed by the Board of Forestry.
(1b) Dwelling/Structure is located in a Firewise USA Site in Good Standing.
Satisfying both 'Community' requirements (1a and 1b) earns a larger total percentage than satisfying just one.
Why Ember-Resistant Vents Matter
Studies show 90% of homes lost to wildfire burn from ember ignition, not direct flame contact.
Wind-driven embers travel up to 1 mile ahead of the main fire front. These burning fragments land on vulnerable surfaces and enter through openings.
Vents create direct pathways into your home's interior. Once embers enter attic spaces or crawl spaces, fire spreads rapidly through the structure.
2008's updated building code now requires 1/16-inch maximum mesh openings for new construction in fire hazard zones.
If your home was built before 2008, it's likely you have vulnerable vents which need ember-resistant vent screens.
Documentation for Your Discount
After installation, Total Screen provides an installation receipt, and photos of your newly-installed ember screens.
This document shows your vent screens meet California Building Code Chapter 7A standards. It verifies you've completed Structure Discount #3.
Submit this certificate to your FAIR Plan agent when claiming your discount.
San Diego's High-Risk Communities
Total Screen serves San Diego County, which is composed of more than 50 individual, smaller cities & towns.
San Diego's natural environment is full of scrub brush that is highly flammable when dry, which means all of San Diego is potentially vulnerable to wildfire damages.
The 2003 Cedar Fire, 2007 Witch Creek Fire, and other blazes demonstrate how quickly fire moves through San Diego's chaparral and oak woodlands.
Beyond Insurance Discounts
The wildfire hardening discount program creates financial incentive, but the upgrades themselves provide the real risk reduction.
Ember-resistant vent screens, like our ember screens, are designed to dramatically reduce the number of embers that can enter a vent.
Clearing the 5-foot zone actually reduces flame intensity near your structure.
Fire-behavior research proves that these hardening measures can save homes during actual wildfire events.
The FAIR Plan discount program rewards you for doing what already needed doing.
Getting Your Discounts Applied
Complete qualifying upgrades first. For vent screens, contact Total Screen for installation.contact Total Screen for installation.
Collect documentation showing code-compliant work. We provide completion certificates after installation.
Contact your FAIR Plan insurance agent. Submit your documentation.
The agent reviews your paperwork and applies the appropriate discount percentages.
Your discounts appear on your next policy renewal.
Act Now, Reduce Risk
Reducing your risk of wildfire damage makes sense, regardless of discounts, and the FAIR Plan program just adds financial incentive to encourage homeowners to act sooner, rather than wait.
Call (619) 871-7610 or visit totalscreen.com to schedule a vent screen assessment. Get code-compliant installation and claim your wildfire hardening discount.