View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2019/09/09/539174.htm
Burns & Wilcox has formed an exclusive partnership with Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. (WDS) to provide WDS’ full suite of wildfire prevention and mitigation services to homeowners, with no minimum property value required to participate. Services will be available on eligible surplus lines homeowners’ policies in the following high-risk areas: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
WDS is a private sector wildfire service, concentrating in wildfire education, loss prevention and response services. WDS monitors wildfires across the U.S. to determine if specific properties are, or will be, threatened. If a property is threatened, this service allows WDS to respond to the home with qualified resources and personnel to provide potentially home-saving services. Services include sprinklers, fire blocking gel, ground-applied retardant, and other tactics that reduce potential wildfire hazards from around the home.
The structure protection service will be available on eligible new and renewal Burns & Wilcox homeowners’ policies, in the 10 designated states.
Burns & Wilcox is a wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager specializing in commercial and professional liability, property, environmental, marine and personal insurance.
Burns & Wilcox is a member of H.W. Kaufman Group, which has over 60 offices across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and employs more than 2,000 professionals.
WDS is a national leader in private wildfire services, combining professional wildfire consulting with federally-certified emergency response wildfire suppression services. Founded in 2001 to fulfill initial-attack assignments for the US Forestry Service, the company added professional services support in 2005 and launched comprehensive wildfire loss-prevention programs for insurers in 2008.
WDS provides services to the private sector at a wildfire agency-level scale. It covers a 20- state region offering a mix of professional management and field operation expertise.