Private Wildfire Protection Network Expands Into Texas

WARREN, N.J., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is now offering its Wildfire Defense Services to homeowners policyholders in Texas.

In addition to providing wildfire education and property risk assessments, the program responds to wildfires through a network of certified wildfire fighters and a highly effective fire-blocking gel. The program, which began in 2008 in 13 Western states, has saved many homes and millions of dollars.

More than 1,400 homes were destroyed and 4.7 million acres burned in Texas in the last five years, according to the Texas Forest Service. In 2009 alone, 432 homes were destroyed by wildfires across the state.

"The large amount of development in Texas over the past several years has meant homes are being built in areas near wildlands, and with that comes the threat of wildfire," said Christie Alderman, vice president, Chubb & Son, and new products and services manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. "Educating and helping homeowners create defensible space around their homes will be important weapons in the fight against wildfires. As a last resort, the fire-blocking gel can be applied to homes in immediate danger of being destroyed by approaching wildfires."

There is no charge to sign up for or to use Chubb's Wildfire Defense Services, which is available to Texas Platinum® homeowners customers in 73 counties in Texas. Sign-up forms were recently mailed to eligible policyholders and are available online on Chubb's Catastrophe Response Center page at www.chubb.com/personal. All Texas Platinum homeowners customers can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for other services they retain to help protect their homes when a wildfire is within three miles of their homes or a civil authority initiates an evacuation order as a result of an approaching wildfire.

The member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide through 8,500 independent agents and brokers. Chubb's global network includes branches and affiliates in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. Chubb is a worldwide leader in insuring fine homes, automobiles, yachts, antiques and other collectibles, and personal liability.

SOURCE Chubb Group of Insurance Companies