Prescribed Burn Liability Insurance (Forest Specialty Underwriters / Lloyd’s)

Forest Speciality Underwriters (FSU), with capacity from Lloyd’s of London, offers a specialised liability insurance programme for parties planning or conducting prescribed burns across the United States. Prescribed fire is a proven nature-based land management tool that reduces wildfire risk by lowering fuel loads while also recycling nutrients, controlling invasive species and improving wildlife habitat.

However, liability concerns, particularly under strict liability statutes in some states, have been a major barrier to scaling its use. FSU’s programme covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, defence costs, fire suppression expenses (up to US$ 10,000/day, US$ 100,000 aggregate), pollution, smoke-related incidents and professional liability up to US$ 1 million. Eligible applicants include prescribed fire contractors, conservation organisations, foresters, government agencies, landowner cooperatives and fire protection organisations. Underwriting criteria require 3-5 years of experience or certification and submission of a sample burn plan. The product launched in January 2023 and is available nationwide except California, Oregon and Washington.