Mercury Insurance returns to Paradise, offering home coverage
Mercury Insurance has become the first major insurer to offer homeowners policies in Paradise, California, since the 2018 Camp Fire. The move underscores the town’s commitment to wildfire resilience through updated building codes, innovative urban planning, and partnerships with organizations like the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
Paradise’s rebuilding efforts include the adoption of the Wildfire Prepared Home standard, which mandates Class A roofs, ember-resistant vents, and noncombustible zones around homes. These measures, supported by state and local leaders, have positioned Paradise as a model for wildfire-prone areas. Mercury’s decision reflects its commitment to supporting California communities and addressing risks from catastrophic weather events.
In 2024, Mercury also stepped in to provide coverage for thousands of Californians after Tokio Marine America exited the personal lines market.
“Mercury’s return to offering homeowners coverage in Paradise, California is the result of hard work by the City and its residents, the State and numerous individuals and organizations who have reimagined how a town can grow and thrive in an area prone to wildfires. Our team has taken numerous trips to the city to see the transformation firsthand, and what we’ve seen makes us confident that Paradise can serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.” – Victor Joseph, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mercury Insurance.
