This episode of All Things Wildfire, we sit down with wildfire expert and insurance innovator Paul Brady of Green Shield to break down one of the most urgent challenges facing homeowners today: insurability in wildfire-prone areas.

From behind-the-scenes insights into how insurance decisions are actually made (in seconds, not hours), to the emerging concept of conflagration risk, this conversation uncovers the real drivers shaping the insurance market—and what homeowners must do to stay ahead.

We explore how wildfire modeling is evolving, why defensible space is more critical than ever, and how certifications like IBHS are becoming the gold standard for getting insured. Most importantly, we discuss the mindset shift required: wildfire mitigation is no longer optional—it's a way of life.

If you live in California, Colorado, or any wildfire-prone region, this episode will change how you think about your home, your risk, and your future.

• Why wildfire insurability is a growing global crisis
• The difference between admitted vs. E&S insurance markets
• How insurance underwriting decisions happen in seconds at scale
• The truth about IBHS certification and why it matters
• Defensible space and the critical 0–5 foot zone
• The rise of conflagration risk (home-to-home fire spread)
• Why your neighbor's property can impact your insurance eligibility
• The role of technology, AI, and aerial imagery in underwriting
• The emotional vs. practical tradeoffs homeowners face
• What needs to happen for insurance markets to stabilize

• Why "doing a few improvements" may not be enough to get insured
• How insurance carriers actually evaluate your property
• The #1 overlooked factor that determines whether your home burns
• Why wildfire models are still "immature" compared to other risks
• What must happen for insurance companies to return to high-risk areas

Paul Brady is a wildfire risk expert and part of Green Shield, a company combining fire service experience, advanced analytics, and insurance solutions to make properties more insurable. Their technology helps insurers evaluate wildfire risk at scale and helps homeowners understand what it takes to qualify for coverage.

How Hispanic Communities Are Preparing for Wildfires : Insights from Hilda Berganza

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive, especially across California. In this episode, we speak with Hilda Berganza of the Hispanic Access Foundation about how Hispanic communities are building resilience through culturally relevant education, faith-based leadership, and trusted community networks.

We explore:

• How faith leaders help protect and inform communities

• The role of bilingual communication in wildfire preparedness

• Practical steps families can take to protect their homes and health

• How community-driven solutions strengthen disaster resilience

This conversation offers real-world insights, practical guidance, and inspiring examples of how communities are coming together to prepare for wildfire threats—before disaster strikes.

In this episode of All Things Wildfire, OP Almaraz sits down with returning guest Diane Delaney, with Private Risk Management Association (PRMA), to unpack what the insurance industry has learned one year after the Palisades wildfire—and what must change going forward.

Drawing from PRMA's nationwide survey of high-net-worth homeowners, Diane reveals a striking disconnect: while over 95% of respondents say they feel confident in their insurance coverage, nearly 70% fear exclusions and gaps at the time of claim. This gap has become painfully clear in catastrophe-prone regions like California, where wildfires, wind-driven embers, and insurance non-renewals are forcing homeowners and brokers alike to rethink how insurance is used.

The conversation explores why insurance can no longer be treated as a commodity, and why brokers must evolve into true risk management advisors—having ongoing, consultative conversations that address lifestyle changes, life stages, and worst-case scenarios. From wildfire mitigation and water-leak detection systems to rebuilding realities and self-insurance risks, this episode highlights how proactive planning can protect not just property—but livelihoods and peace of mind.

Diane also shares how PRMA is investing in education, learning tracks, and AI-powered role-play tools to help brokers sharpen difficult conversations around rate increases, coverage gaps, and resiliency. Together, OP and Diane emphasize a central message: you either invest in resilience early, or you pay far more later when disaster strikes.

• 95% vs. 70% disconnect: Homeowners feel confident in coverage—yet fear exclusions when claims happen
• Why insurance doesn't protect your lifestyle unless it's designed to
• How wildfires exposed major gaps in homeowner understanding during real-time claims
• Why brokers must shift from transactional sales to ongoing consultative partnerships
• Real wildfire and water-damage stories that show the true cost of being under-prepared
• The growing importance of leak detection devices, mitigation, and prevention tools
• Why insurance should be viewed as catastrophic protection—not home maintenance
• How PRMA is modernizing broker education with learning tracks and AI role-play tools
• Why resilience investments feel expensive—until disaster makes them unavoidable

• What one year after the Palisades wildfire has revealed about insurance gaps
• Insights from PRMA's nationwide survey of high-net-worth homeowners
• Why many insured homeowners still feel unprotected at claim time
• How wildfire, flood, wind, and water risks intersect
• Why prevention and mitigation improve insurability—not just safety
• The emotional and financial toll of rebuilding after catastrophe
• How brokers can deliver real value in a hard insurance market
• PRMA's 2026 initiatives: learning tracks, education, and AI-based coaching

Insurance works best before disaster strikes. When homeowners, brokers, and carriers collaborate proactively—focusing on resilience, communication, and realistic expectations—insurance becomes a powerful tool instead of a painful surprise.

Visit privateriskmanagement.org to explore PRMA members