Creation and implementation of a certification system for insurability and fire risk classification for forest plantations

Abstract

Currently, the Chilean insurance market sells forest fire insurance policies and agricultural weather risk policies. However, access to forest fire insurance is difficult for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a significant proportion (close to 50%) of forest plantations being without coverage. Indeed, the insurance market that sells forest fire insurance policies does not have an evaluation system based on known standards accepted by the market; rather, it is discretionary, with each company evaluating risk with their own specific parameters. This lack of standardization reduces access and increases costs due to uncertainty, assigning a high risk rating by default. At present, over 19,000 SMEs and more than 810,000 forested hectares are affected by difficulties in getting fire insurance policies.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT

Citation

Loewe M., Veronica; Vargas, Victor; Ruiz, Juan Miguel; Alvarez C., Andrea; Lobo Q., Felipe. 2015. Creation and implementation of a certification system for insurability and fire risk classification for forest plantations. In: Keane, Robert E.; Jolly, Matt; Parsons, Russell; Riley, Karin. Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-73. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 141-149.