Wildlife Insurance: The Two-Policy Burden
In high-risk regions like Reno, Sparks, and Lake Tahoe, a new financial reality has taken hold: the “Two-Policy” Burden. As of January 1, 2026, Nevada law (AB 376) allows insurance carriers to "carve out" wildfire coverage from standard homeowners' policies. This shift forces residents in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) to manage two separate insurance products—a move that mirrors California’s long-standing earthquake insurance model and significantly impacts housing affordability. The Anatomy of the Two-Policy System For years, wildfire protection was a standard inclusion. Now, homeowners in the Sierra Front are increasingly facing a fragmented market: * The "Core" Policy: Covers "low-risk" perils like theft, burst pipes, and internal fires. * The Standalone Wildfire Policy: A separate, often high-priced policy specifically for wildfire damage. These are often sourced through the Nevada FAIR Plan (the insurer of last resort) or specialized ...