As of this year Nevada insurers may offer homeowners policies that exclude coverage for wildfire damage — but state officials say the option is not yet in practical use.
How the law works and the current status
Assembly Bill 376, which took effect in 2026, gives insurance companies the authority to sell homeowners policies that do not include wildfire coverage under certain circumstances. Before any carrier can implement such a change, it must submit the amendment to the Nevada Division of Insurance for review and approval.
Insurance Commissioner Ned Gaines told reporters that although the statute is now on the books, no insurer has filed paperwork to remove wildfire protection from a homeowners’ policy.
"I just recently purchased a home back in March, and when I had my renter's policy, I called up my agent to get a quote on homeowners, and they ran it through their system, and 11 different carriers came back and said they would not write the policy due to the wildfire risk," Gaines said.
What homeowners are already experiencing
- Some residents, particularly in parts of Northern Nevada, are finding fewer companies willing to issue new policies.
- Commissioner Gaines reported personal difficulty getting coverage: agents he contacted received refusals from 11 carriers because of wildfire exposure.
- Homeowners who have completed wildfire mitigation work and who are not in areas deemed high risk may file complaints with the Division of Insurance if they believe coverage was unfairly denied.
Regulatory concerns and insurer behavior
Gaines suggested insurers may be applying broad risk models developed for other Western states, which could overstate the danger in many Nevada communities. He said some locations are being treated as high risk despite topography and vegetation that differ from places such as California.
Officials are conducting conversations with insurers to understand how they are evaluating wildfire risk and to encourage more granular assessments that reflect Nevada’s varied landscapes.
| Topic | Current fact |
|---|---|
| Law | Assembly Bill 376 allows wildfire exclusion (effective 2026) |
| Regulatory step | Companies must file changes with the Nevada Division of Insurance |
| Filings so far | None reported by Insurance Commissioner Ned Gaines |
What residents should know
Residents shopping for homeowners coverage should be aware that availability can vary by insurer and location. Those living in areas identified by companies as having elevated wildfire risk may face a narrower market for new policies. If a homeowner believes they were wrongly denied, the Division of Insurance is the channel to contest that decision.
This development follows broader shifts in Western insurance markets as carriers reassess wildfire exposure. State officials are monitoring filings and insurer practices to balance market stability with consumer protection.
Reporting for this article relied on statements from the Nevada Division of Insurance and remarks made publicly by Insurance Commissioner Ned Gaines.
