🔥 加州 Fire Zone 是什麼?如何查?會不會讓房屋保險變貴?(2025 完整指南)
加州的山火越來越頻繁,因此「Fire Zone(火災風險區)」成為房屋保險最關鍵的核保因素之一。很多首次買房或新移民常問:我家的地址是不是 Fire Zone?會不會讓保費暴漲?
本篇是「加州房屋保險 × 初學者系列」的第二篇,用最簡單明瞭的方式帶你了解 Fire Zone 的定義、查詢方式,以及它如何影響你的保費。
📌 1. 什麼是 Fire Zone?
Fire Zone 是加州官方用來評估「火災風險等級」的系統,全名是:
Fire Hazard Severity Zone(FHSZ)火災危險等級區域
加州林業與消防局(CAL FIRE)會根據以下因素評估每一個地區:
- 歷史山火紀錄
- 植被密度
- 風速與乾燥程度
- 坡度、地形
- 消防車可達性(accessibility)
最終會把每個地區分成三大類:
- Low(低風險)
- Moderate(中風險)
- High / Very High(高/極高風險)
若你家落在 High 或 Very High,房屋保險會明顯變貴,甚至可能被拒保。
📌 2. 如何查自己家是不是 Fire Zone?(最簡單方法)
最準確查詢方式是使用 CAL FIRE 官方地圖:
1) 進入 CAL FIRE FHSZ 地圖
搜尋關鍵字:CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer
2) 輸入你的住址
系統會自動跳出你的區域屬於:
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very High
3) 檢查是否落在 WUI(Wildland-Urban Interface 山區住宅交界區)
WUI 通常會有更高的 wildfire 风险,也會導致更高保費。
📌 3. Fremont、San Jose、Bay Area 屬於 Fire Zone 嗎?
大部分城市住宅區屬於 Low 或 Moderate,但以下區域風險較高:
- 靠山區的地方(South Fremont、Milpitas 山腳)
- San Jose Almaden、Los Gatos
- East Dublin / Pleasanton 山坡地帶
如果你的房子靠近大自然、山邊、植物密度高的區域,核保會比較嚴格。
📌 4. Fire Zone 是否一定會讓保費變貴?
原則上:會,而且非常明顯。
保費變貴的原因:
- 落在 High / Very High → 核保變嚴格
- 保險公司要求提高 Coverage A(重建成本)
- 可能被要求買 FAIR Plan(加州最後保險方案)
- 部分公司直接拒保,需要找特殊保險公司
如果你的地址顯示 High Risk,有可能:
- 保費是正常區域的 2~4 倍
- 只有 FAIR Plan 願意承保
- 需要搭配 DIC(Difference in Conditions)補充保單
📌 5. Fire Zone 怎麼影響 2024~2025 的 surcharge 費用?
全加州房主(不論風險)都要付 surcharge,但如果你家在 Fire Zone,風險模型也會被上調,可能導致:
- 主保費(base premium)更高
- Coverage A 金額調整(重建更貴)
- 保險公司增加核保要求(如屋頂、防火間距)
簡單講:Fire Zone 會影響主保費,surcharge 則是全州共擔。
📌 6. Fire Zone 可以改善嗎?
可以,但需要房主配合:
- 移除過度乾燥的植被
- 與房子保持 5–30 feet 防火間距
- 使用防火材質屋頂
- 清理落葉、屋頂溝槽
一些保險公司會因為你做了防火改善而降低保費。
📌 結語
Fire Zone 是影響加州保費的重要因素之一。若你想降低保費、避免核保困難,了解自己的 Fire Zone 是最重要的第一步。
想降低房屋保險費?這篇提供五個實用方法:
👉 加州房屋保險變貴怎麼辦?五招控制保費(2025)
🔥 What Is a California Fire Zone? How to Check It, and Why It Increases Your Home Insurance (2025 Guide)
Wildfires are becoming more frequent in California, and “Fire Zones” have become one of the most important factors affecting home insurance pricing and approval. Many homeowners ask: Is my address in a Fire Zone? Will it make my insurance more expensive?
This article is the second chapter of the “California Home Insurance Basics Series,” designed to explain Fire Zones in a simple and beginner-friendly way.
📌 1. What Exactly Is a Fire Zone?
A Fire Zone is California’s official wildfire risk classification system, known as:
Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ)
CAL FIRE evaluates each area using multiple factors:
- Historical wildfire data
- Vegetation density
- Wind and dryness
- Terrain and slope
- Fire department accessibility
Areas are classified as:
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very High
📌 2. How to Check If Your Address Is in a Fire Zone
The most accurate way is through the official CAL FIRE map:
- Search “CAL FIRE FHSZ Viewer.”
- Enter your home address.
- See your zone classification (Low / Moderate / High / Very High).
- Check if you are in the WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface).
Homes in High or Very High zones face stricter underwriting and higher premiums.
📌 3. Are Cities Like Fremont, San Jose, and Bay Area in Fire Zones?
Most city areas are Low or Moderate, but higher-risk regions include:
- Foothill areas of Fremont and Milpitas
- Los Gatos, Almaden Valley
- Dublin / Pleasanton hillside neighborhoods
📌 4. Does a Fire Zone Always Increase Insurance Premiums?
Yes—almost always.
Fire Zone affects:
- Premium pricing
- Coverage A (rebuild cost)
- Underwriting difficulty
- Eligibility for standard insurers
Some homeowners may:
- Pay 2–4× normal premiums
- Be forced into the FAIR Plan
- Need an additional DIC policy
📌 5. Fire Zones vs. the New Surcharge (2024–2025)
The new surcharge affects all Californians, but Fire Zones may still raise your base premium. Combined, this results in:
- Higher total insurance costs
- Stricter underwriting
- More documentation requirements
📌 6. Can Fire Zone Risk Be Reduced?
Yes—many insurers now offer credits for:
- Clearing vegetation
- Defensible space (5–30 ft around the home)
- Fire-resistant roofing
- Maintaining gutters and removing debris
📌 Conclusion
Knowing whether your home is in a Fire Zone is essential for navigating California’s rapidly changing insurance market. It affects pricing, eligibility, and long-term affordability.
Want to lower your homeowner’s insurance cost? Try these five effective strategies:
👉 5 Ways to Reduce California Home Insurance Premiums
