05/20/2026
This was taken direclty from the CSIMT.GOV by Montana State Auditor James Brown.
Montanans are facing a new reality: skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance premiums and an escalating wildfire threat. According to the National Association of Realtors, Montana may experience the fifth-highest state increase in homeowners’ insurance rates this year — a trend impacting residents statewide.
Two major forces are driving higher costs. First, wildfires have become more frequent and intense. Nearly 70% of all wildfires recorded in Montana have occurred since 2000. These longer-lasting, more destructive fires dramatically increase the risk to homes, pushing insurance rates higher. Second, Montana’s scenic appeal and lifestyle continue to attract new residents, inflating property values and replacement costs — thereby driving up premiums.
Also, Montana now ranks second nationally for the percentage of homes at risk of catastrophic wildfire damage. Over 50% of properties are vulnerable, and many homeowners — especially those near wildland-urban interfaces — are facing steep premium hikes or non-renewal notices.
With MWFBI, 70FT of defensible zone is requried by our underwriters. Photos MUST be obtained to show the definsible zone. How we obtain those, is myself or one of my sales associates will physically drive to your property to take photos. The underwriters often utilize google maps and/or onxmaps to review arieal views. I have also purchased a Bosch Blaze Laser Distance Meter to help verify that the definsible zone is in place. All insurance policies with MWFBI is contigent upon a final risk assessment and are subject to final review and approval by the companies underwriters.
I hope this helps explain that there is a more involved into binding a insurance policy, its not as simple as taking your information clicking a button in a computer system and telling the "insured" your assets are covered. There is definetly more to binding an insurance policy than just even taking photos. All underwriting guidelines must be met.
We are entrusted with protecting all Montanans from bad actors by regulating two of the state’s largest industries—securities and insurance. We strive to foster a thriving Montana industry marketplace through education, common-sense regulation, and equitable enforcement of the law with swift acc...
