Group of Insurance Companies has expanded its Wildfire Defense Services to most of Texas less than a year after the state experienced its worst wildfire season on record.The free loss-prevention service is now available to Chubb homeowners policyholders in 141 of 254 counties in Texas. Chubb introduced its Wildfire Defense Services to customers in 13 Western states in 2008. Two years later, Chubb expanded the program to Texas, initially covering 73 counties.
In addition to providing wildfire education and property risk assessments, the program responds to wildfires through a network of certified wildfire fighters and the application of a highly effective fire-blocking gel. Since its inception, the program has helped save dozens of homes.
There were more than 30,000 wildfires in Texas last year, burning nearly 4 million acres, the most of any state in 2011 and 43% of the national total, according to the Texas Forest Service. The September 2011 wildfire in Bastrop County was the most catastrophic fire in Texas history, destroying 1,669 homes and scorching 34,000 acres.
In 2011, Chubb's Wildfire Defense Services responded to six major wildfires in Texas, helping evacuate customers, setting up perimeter sprinkler systems and engaging in active fire suppression at several homes. Chubb's actions helped save four homes.
"The destruction from last year's wildfires in Texas was unprecedented," said Christie Alderman, vice president, Chubb & Son, and new products and services manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. "By expanding Chubb Wildfire Defense Services to more counties in the state, we will be able to help more customers protect their homes from an approaching fire. We encourage all eligible policyholders to sign up for this free service."