Homes in wildfire areas
Homes in wildfire areas qualify, since standard insurers often turn down homes near brush and forest. The FAIR Plan does not decline or surcharge a property because of where it is.
California FAIR Plan Insurance
Get your property quoted after being dropped or declined. We quote the FAIR Plan and the coverage it leaves out.
The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort for property that standard insurers will not take, often because of wildfire risk. It writes homes, rentals, condos, mobile homes on a foundation and commercial buildings for named perils such as fire and smoke. It does not cover theft, water damage or liability, so we quote a DIC policy beside it.
- Who qualifies
- Property standard insurers decline: 1 to 4 unit homes, condos, mobile homes on a foundation, floating homes and commercial buildings
- Typical limits
- Up to $3 million per home and up to $20 million per commercial building
- How fast
- About 5 business days once the FAIR Plan has photos, or 2 to 3 weeks with an inspection
- How you pay
- Directly to the FAIR Plan, in full, in 3 payments or in 11 payments
- Programs we use
- Menlo is a registered FAIR Plan broker and quotes DIC from Green Shield and Aegis beside it
We shop the market for you, no broker fees
Who the FAIR Plan is for
Declined or not renewed
The FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort. Your broker confirms the standard market has said no before applying for you.
Landlords and second homes
Rented, seasonal and vacant homes of 1 to 4 units, condo units, renters' belongings and mobile homes on a foundation.
Businesses and apartment owners
Stores, offices, apartment buildings, buildings under construction, farms and wineries, up to $20 million per building.
What the FAIR Plan covers, and what it leaves out
The FAIR Plan pays only for the causes of loss it names. Everything else needs another policy.
The FAIR Plan
- Fire and lightning
Including wildfire.
- Internal explosion and smoke
- Extended coverage and vandalism
Optional, for an added premium.
- Up to $3 million per home
Up to $20 million per commercial building.
Not covered, and where to find it
- Water damage and theft
- Personal liability
- Earthquake
- Flood
How a FAIR Plan quote works
- 01
Tell us what you need covered
Start the request on this page. We confirm the standard market has said no and prepare the application.
- 02
Photos or an inspection
The FAIR Plan needs 2 or 3 date stamped photos from the last 7 days showing the address number, the building and the roof. An inspection instead takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- 03
About 5 business days
FAIR Plan underwriting reviews the application and emails the quote to us. If you asked for DIC, we quote it beside the FAIR Plan.
- 04
You pay the FAIR Plan directly
The FAIR Plan bills you, not the broker. Pay within 30 days, in full or in installments. Coverage starts the day after payment.
FAIR Plan only, or with the other markets
Menlo is an independent licensed broker, not the California FAIR Plan. The request on this page quotes only the FAIR Plan, with a DIC quote if you want one. To see whether a standard or surplus lines insurer will take the property too, start from its own page below.
We check the standard market first
The FAIR Plan asks your broker to confirm that standard insurers declined. We shop them before applying.
We send the application and photos
We prepare the FAIR Plan application, upload the photos and follow it through underwriting.
We quote the gap policy with it
Answer yes to the DIC question and we quote a DIC policy for water, theft and liability to start with your FAIR Plan policy.
We add earthquake if you want it
A California Earthquake Authority policy can be written beside your FAIR Plan policy.
Every FAIR Plan policy
The request on this page quotes only the FAIR Plan. Each page below quotes the FAIR Plan next to the other markets that may take the property.
The home you live in
The FAIR Plan with a DIC policy, quoted next to the standard markets.
Dropped or non-renewed for wildfire
What to do when your insurer leaves, and how the FAIR Plan and DIC fit.
A rental, seasonal or second home
A 1 to 4 unit home on the FAIR Plan dwelling policy or a dwelling fire market.
A vacant home
A home that has been empty for up to one year.
A condo unit
Your belongings in a condo unit, compared with the condo insurers.
A place you rent
Fire coverage for a tenant's belongings.
A mobile or manufactured home
A mobile home permanently anchored to a foundation.
A floating home
Floating homes go on the FAIR Plan dwelling policy. Start the FAIR Plan request.
Earthquake with the FAIR Plan
A California Earthquake Authority policy written alongside your FAIR Plan policy.
A commercial building
Stores, offices and factories, including Commercial High Value policies over $20 million.
A vacant commercial building
A building more than 70% empty.
An apartment building, 5 units or more
Commercial Fire up to $20 million per building, or the paper BOP with liability.
A building under construction
A building while it is being built, including a rebuild after a fire.
Farm and winery buildings
Barns, winery buildings and farm structures. Not crops, livestock or equipment.
A businessowners policy (BOP)
Property and liability on a paper application, which we prepare for you.
What to have ready
- The property address and county
- How the property is used
- Year built, construction and roof year
- 2 or 3 photos taken in the last 7 days
- The insurer that declined or dropped you
- Losses in the past five years
What sets the price
- Wildfire score for the address
- Construction and year built
- Roof age and condition
- Wildfire hardening discounts
- Coverage limits and deductible
- Losses in the past five years
Read up first
Best Ways to Add Coverage to the California FAIR Plan: DIC Options and FAIR Plan Add-Ons Compared
Earthquake Insurance When You Have the California FAIR Plan: CEA, DIC or a Private Quake Policy
California FAIR Plan: What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Leave It
California FAIR Plan Quote: How the Broker Application Works, Step by Step
California FAIR Plan Rate Increase 2026: What Was Approved, What Drives Your Cost, and What You Can Do
FAIR Plan Temporary Supplemental Fee: Why It's on Your Home Insurance Bill
Questions we get asked
Which insurers sell DIC policies?
Several private insurers sell a DIC policy to sit beside the FAIR Plan, and the Department of Insurance keeps a list of them. We quote DIC from Green Shield and Aegis when you answer yes to the DIC question.
What is the California FAIR Plan?
It is the state's insurer of last resort for basic property insurance, for homes and buildings that standard insurers will not take. Its policies cover named perils such as fire, lightning, internal explosion and smoke.
Can I buy the FAIR Plan through Menlo?
Yes. Menlo is a registered FAIR Plan broker. We prepare the application, send the photos, follow underwriting and quote the DIC or earthquake policy that goes with it.
What does the FAIR Plan not cover?
It does not cover theft, water damage or personal liability, and it does not sell a policy that does. A DIC policy is built to fill those gaps. Earthquake and flood are separate policies.
How long does a FAIR Plan quote take?
About 5 business days once the FAIR Plan has the photos, which is its review target. An inspection instead of photos takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Who do I pay?
You pay the FAIR Plan directly. It bills the policyholder, never the broker, and coverage starts the day after payment. Pay within 30 days or the quote expires.
Can I add earthquake coverage?
Yes. A California Earthquake Authority policy can be written alongside a FAIR Plan policy, using your FAIR Plan policy number. Start the earthquake request and tell us you are on the FAIR Plan.
Can I insure a floating home?
Yes. The FAIR Plan dwelling policy writes floating homes. Choose a floating home in the first question on this page.
I already have a FAIR Plan policy. Can you help?
Yes, with the coverage around it. For a payment, a claim or your online account, contact the FAIR Plan directly. We can review whether a DIC or earthquake policy should sit beside it, or whether the standard market will now take the property.
Can you write this where my business is?
We offer coverage in the states where we are licensed. Begin a quote with the address of your business or risk, and we'll let you know which markets can write that location before you spend much time on the questions.
What happens after I start a quote?
Tell us about the coverage you need and complete the application. We use those details to approach suitable markets and may ask follow-up questions. Requesting a quote does not put coverage in force.
Review your coverage options.
A licensed broker can review eligibility and policy terms with you.