AIG Private Client Group, a division of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) that serves high net worth clients, today marked the 10-year anniversary of its Wildfire Protection Unit (WPU) with Montecito, CA, officials, providing pro-bono fire protection to key areas in the Montecito Fire Protection District in preparation for the height of wildfire season.

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AIG’s WPU, in collaboration with Montecito wildfire specialists, spent the day spraying a bio-degradable fire retardant and performing other mitigation actions in the Montecito area using special-purpose built AIG WPU trucks.

The work in Montecito recognizes the vulnerability of California to wildfires. In 2014, 7,865 fires destroyed 555,044 acres and caused millions in property damage statewide, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. And the 2015 wildfire season has been very active.

AIG’s WPU was created ten years ago to serve AIG Private Client Group clients in select areas of Northern and Southern California. The service has been expanded to include additional customers in California, as well as in parts of Colorado and Texas. The AIG WPU is not a private fire department, but a loss mitigation service designed to preempt damage well before a wildfire ignites.

Throughout the year, AIG’s certified wildfire specialists, in custom-built WPU trucks, visit homeowners to educate them about bolstering their home’s fire defenses throughout the dry season. They work in collaboration with local fire authorities and, when warranted, spray fire retardant around the perimeters of vulnerable properties as an added layer of wildfire protection. The type of fire retardant used remains effective on ground vegetation for months, or until washed off with a hose or heavy rain.

“The Wildfire Protection Unit puts in action AIG’s philosophy of working strategically with our customers to reduce risk. Helping homeowners mitigate the risk of wildfires destroying or damaging their homes, particularly in fire-prone areas, helps protect property and people and is a service we take great pride in providing,” says Kevin Hogan, Chief Executive Officer, AIG Consumer Insurance.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization serving customers in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

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AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.