Parametric Wildfire Insurance
An innovative approach to protect Tahoe Donner and manage future risk
Tahoe Donner has acquired a first-of-its-kind insurance policy that could help change the insurance industry. Developed in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, UC Berkeley, and global risk management firm Willis, this is the first insurance policy in the U.S. to officially recognize that proactive forest management reduces wildfire risk—a crucial step toward lowering insurance premiums.
Thanks to decades of strategic forestry work, Tahoe Donner’s land management work has proven to slow the spread of wildfire, giving firefighters critical time to protect the community. This new policy acknowledges the power of our Forest Health Management Program, which has treated over 1,500 acres in the past decade through mechanical thinning, prescribed burns, and fuel break establishment. As wildfire threats increase, Tahoe Donner is proud to set a national precedent in protecting our forests and homeowners.
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS OF DEFENSIBLE SPACE EFFORTS:
INFORMATION + PRESS COVERAGE
- April 2, 2025 Press Release: The Nature Conservancy and Willis Launch First-of-Its-Kind Wildfire Resilience Insurance
- Technical Paper: Risk Reduction from Forest Management Accounted for in First-of-Its-Kind Wildfire Resilience Insurance: A Technical Report on the Analytics Used to Price and Underwrite Insurance in California
- Tahoe Donner February 28, 2025 Board Meeting: Video Recap of Board Meeting with Parametric Insurance Introduction
- Reinsurance News: Willis’ New Wildfire Resilience Insurance to Focus on Risk Mitigation
- Yahoo Finance: Willis, The Nature Conservancy Unveil Wildfire Resilience Insurance
PARTNERS
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners.
nature.org
About WTW
At Willis Towers Watson (WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
wtwco.com
About CLEE
Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) at the University of California, Berkeley tackles climate change and other environmental challenges at the local to global scale through the development and implementation of equitable and effective legal and policy solutions. Our expert staff leverages the world’s leading public research university to engage community leaders, government, business, and other stakeholders; to lead timely and practical research initiatives; and to train leaders to take action on our most pressing environmental problems.
law.berkeley.edu/research/clee