Prescribed Burn Liability Insurance (Forest Specialty Underwriters / Lloyd's)

Terrestrial

Insure prescribed burns to cut wildfire risk

 Private

• Removes primary liability barrier to prescribed burns at scale
• Reduces wildfire fuel loads; recycles nutrients; controls invasives
• Improves wildlife habitat
  Up to $1M professional liability cover

Liability insurance for parties conducting prescribed burns (bodily injury, property damage, suppression, smoke and professional liability up to US$1m), removing a key barrier to scaling beneficial fire.

 Forest Specialty Underwriters Ltd., Lloyd's of London, Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council

Case study referred by UNEP FI. For more information, please contact: info@naturance.eu. 

Forest Specialty Underwriters (FSU), with capacity from Lloyd's of London, offers a specialised liability insurance programme for parties planning or conducting prescribed burns across the United States. Prescribed fire is a proven nature-based land management tool that reduces wildfire risk by lowering fuel loads while also recycling nutrients, controlling invasive species and improving wildlife habitat. However, liability concerns, particularly under strict liability statutes in some states, have been a major barrier to scaling its use. FSU's programme covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, defence costs, fire suppression expenses (up to US$ 10,000/day, US$ 100,000 aggregate), pollution, smoke-related incidents and professional liability up to US$ 1 million. Eligible applicants include prescribed fire contractors, conservation organisations, foresters, government agencies, landowner cooperatives and fire protection organisations. Underwriting criteria require 3-5 years of experience or certification and submission of a sample burn plan. The product launched in January 2023 and is available nationwide except California, Oregon and Washington.

• CONTROLLED BURNING INSURANCE
• Liability Committee - Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council