ZestyAI, an artificial intelligence-driven property risk analytics firm, has entered into a strategic partnership with Kin Insurance, a digital, direct-to-consumer home insurance provider focused on catastrophe-exposed markets.
The collaboration aims to address the increasing home insurance gap in California, a state grappling with more frequent natural disasters and the subsequent withdrawal of insurers, according to FF News.
By using advanced technology to assess wildfire risk more accurately, the partnership enables Kin to expand its coverage offerings to high-risk areas in the state.
As part of the agreement, Kin has integrated ZestyAI’s Z-FIRE model into its systems. The model uses machine learning to analyse property-specific wildfire exposure by examining defensible space, building materials, vegetation, topography, and other critical factors. Kin completed the integration of Z-FIRE in just ten days, allowing it to respond swiftly to the urgent needs of homeowners in vulnerable Californian communities.
ZestyAI specialises in leveraging artificial intelligence to predict the impact of natural disasters on individual properties. Its Z-FIRE model has been validated against real-world wildfire events, such as the recent Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles, where 94% and 87% of the areas affected had been rated High Risk by the model. Homes flagged as highly vulnerable were found to be 50% more likely to be destroyed—emphasising the power of granular, property-level insights.
Meanwhile, Kin Insurance is committed to making home insurance more accessible in high-risk markets. The company’s digital-first approach allows it to respond quickly to shifting risk landscapes, and the addition of Z-FIRE enhances its ability to assess and price wildfire risk with greater precision.
ZestyAI also maintains close collaboration with regulators to ensure transparency and compliance. Z-FIRE has already secured regulatory approval across all Western states, while the company’s broader suite of models has been approved in regions such as Texas, Colorado, the Midwest, and the Great Plains.
“California requires a smarter, more modern approach to home insurance risk management,” Kin vice president, pricing and risk management Michael McCright said, “ZestyAI’s Z-FIRE model brings the level of insight we need to confidently assess risk and offer coverage in areas at risk of wildfire.”
“Kin’s expansion into California is exactly the kind of forward-thinking move our technology was built to support,” ZestyAI CEO Attila Toth said, “Together, we’re helping show that with the right data and tools, insurers can re-enter challenging markets with confidence—and deliver meaningful protection to homeowners who need it most.”
“Equally important, Z-FIRE empowers insurers to recognize and reward mitigation efforts at the property level, encouraging homeowners to take action that reduces risk for themselves and their communities,” Toth added.
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