8 INSURERS FEEL FIRE RISKS

In seven western fire-prone states, eight large property and casualty insurers are exposed to 74.5 percent of the home insurance risk, according to a recent analysis by Weiss Ratings Inc. States ranked by acres burned from Jan. 1, 2001, to Aug. 19, 2001, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, were Nevada (570,755); Oregon (448,509); California (227,149); Alaska (221,940); Washington (153,948); Idaho (118,129); and Utah (114,376). At year-end 2000, eight carriers commanded 85.9 percent of the market in Alaska; 77.1 percent in California; 60.4 percent in Idaho; 76.4 percent in Nevada; 71.3 percent in Oregon; 65.4 percent in Utah; and 63 percent in Washington. Those eight companies are: State Farm Group; Zurich Financial Services Group; Allstate Group; Safeco Group; USAA Group; CA State Auto Group; Allianz; and Auto Club of Southern California. Just three companies—State Farm, Zurich, and Allstate—controlled 55.8 percent of the total market share in the western fire-prone states last year. Their combined homeowners exposure ranged from a low of 37.6 percent in Washington to a high of 70.6 percent in Alaska.