High wildfire risk · 46/100
Lewis and Clark County, MT Fire Insurance
Lewis and Clark County carries a high wildfire risk rating (46/100). 14 wildfires have been recorded within 25 miles since 2000 — the closest, the Alice Creek (2017), just 1.4 miles away. This band sees steep premium increases and rising non-renewals — shopping specialists early matters. Here's what coverage costs, who still writes here, and how to lock it in.
Find who'll still cover a Lewis and Clark County home →Lewis and Clark County's wildfire risk profile
46/100
FireRisk score
High
Risk band
46
Neighborhood range
14
Fires within 25 mi (since 2000)
What this means for you
- The 46/100 score rates this area's wildfire exposure from 0 (minimal) to 100 (extreme). Insurers use similar models to decide whether to offer a policy and what to charge — a score this high is what triggers premium increases and non-renewals.
- “High” is the band that score falls into. Homes here are among the first that carriers reprice or decline to renew.
- The neighborhood range is how much risk varies street to street. Risk is fairly consistent across this area, though your specific lot still matters.
- 14 fires within 25 miles since 2000 is the area's recent track record. Underwriters treat a longer nearby fire history as higher risk for the whole ZIP — not only the homes that actually burned.
The closest federally recorded wildfire is the Alice Creek (2017), about 1.4 miles away. Insurers weigh this proximity heavily — risk varies street by street, so see the full Lewis and Clark County risk report or check your exact address.
What high risk means for your coverage
This band sees steep premium increases and rising non-renewals — shopping specialists early matters. Montana’s wildfire pressure is concentrated in the western forests around Missoula, the Bitterroot, and the Flathead. Montana does not operate a FAIR Plan; homeowners declined by admitted carriers rely on the surplus-lines market.
What fire insurance costs in Lewis and Clark County
Western Montana WUI premiums have risen with the region’s fire activity; DNRC cost-share mitigation and documented defensible space increasingly matter to carriers.
~$1,094/yr in mitigation-linked discounts and credits may be available to Lewis and Clark County homeowners who harden and document their home.
If you can't find coverage in Lewis and Clark County
Montana does not operate a FAIR Plan. Homeowners in Lewis and Clark County declined by admitted carriers rely on the surplus-lines (E&S) market — specialty insurers that write higher-risk homes. Comparing specialists and documenting mitigation matter even more here. How FAIR Plans work →
High risk — and your insurer already knows it.
Industry reporting describes steep premium increases for high-risk homes in recent years. One renewal cycle without action and you may be shopping the non-standard market.
What happens if you wait
High-risk homeowners have faced steep rate increases in recent years. Non-standard market policies — when you can find them — often cost substantially more.
Insurers have filed hundreds of thousands of non-renewals in fire-risk areas in recent years. Notices typically arrive ~60 days before expiration.
IBHS-certified homes may qualify for premium reductions with participating carriers. Discounts vary by carrier, state, and property.
Research suggests homes with elevated fire risk can sell below comparable homes, as buyers price in insurance cost. Individual results vary.
High risk doesn’t mean uninsurable.
We match Montana homeowners with licensed agents who write high-risk wildfire homes. Start with your email — we’ll send your comparison and, if you want, connect you with an agent. Free, no obligation.
$1,094/yr — typical savings when Montana homeowners compare carriers.
Go deeper on Lewis and Clark County
See the full wildfire-risk breakdown, or compare insurance in nearby Montana areas.
Lewis and Clark County wildfire risk report →Lewis and Clark County fire insurance FAQ
Is it hard to get fire insurance in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
Lewis and Clark County carries a high wildfire risk rating (46/100 on FireRisk's federal-data model). This band sees steep premium increases and rising non-renewals — shopping specialists early matters. 14 wildfires have been federally recorded within 25 miles since 2000, the closest being the Alice Creek (2017), 1.4 miles away.
How much does fire insurance cost in Lewis and Clark County?
Western Montana WUI premiums have risen with the region’s fire activity; DNRC cost-share mitigation and documented defensible space increasingly matter to carriers. A high-risk Lewis and Clark County home sits toward the upper end of that spread. Your exact premium depends on construction, rebuild cost, and documented mitigation — homeowners here may access roughly $1,094/yr in mitigation-linked discounts and credits.
What if no carrier will insure my Lewis and Clark County home?
Montana does not run a FAIR Plan, so Lewis and Clark County homeowners declined by admitted carriers turn to the surplus-lines (E&S) market. Documenting defensible space and hardening improves both eligibility and price.
Can I lower my Lewis and Clark County fire insurance premium?
Yes. Document defensible space, harden the home (Class-A roof, ember-resistant vents, Zone 0 clearance), and pursue IBHS "Wildfire Prepared Home" certification — these unlock 5–25% discounts with participating carriers and can be the difference between a "yes" and a non-renewal.
Montana fire insurance guide →
Statewide market, FAIR Plan, non-renewal playbook, and every discount available.
Been non-renewed? →
Your rights and the step-by-step path back to coverage after a non-renewal.
FireRisk scores are modeled from federal wildfire data for orientation and are not an insurance rating, an offer of coverage, or a guarantee of price or eligibility. Cost and savings figures are estimates that vary by home, carrier, and year. Verify all coverage with licensed carriers and confirm current programs with your state Department of Insurance. FireRisk.ai is independent; we may be compensated when you request quotes through a partner.