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Home Insurance in High Fire Risk Areas of California

Dropped, non-renewed or turned down because of wildfire risk? A licensed broker checks the insurers still writing your area, then quotes the California FAIR Plan with a DIC policy so the home stays fully covered.

We shop the market for you, no broker fees

  • Green Shield
  • Aegis
  • Mercury Insurance
  • Travelers
  • Nationwide
  • Pacific Specialty
  • Farmers
  • Lemonade

When your insurer leaves

Non-renewed for wildfire

Many insurers no longer renew homes near brush and forest. The FAIR Plan does not decline or surcharge a home because of where it is.

Turned down when you shop

A broker confirms which insurers still write your area. The FAIR Plan asks for that search before it applies.

Fire plus the rest

The FAIR Plan covers fire. A DIC policy adds water damage, theft and liability, depending on the market.

Discounts for hardening

A Class A roof, ember resistant vents and cleared space around the house lower the FAIR Plan premium.

Dropped or non-renewed? What to do next

  1. 01

    Shop the standard market first

    Some insurers still write homes in fire areas. The FAIR Plan asks your broker to confirm that standard insurers declined before it applies.

  2. 02

    Apply to the FAIR Plan

    It does not decline or surcharge a home because of where it is. It needs 2 or 3 recent photos and reviews in about 5 business days.

  3. 03

    Add a DIC policy

    The FAIR Plan covers fire. A DIC policy adds water damage, theft and liability, so the two together work like a homeowners policy.

  4. 04

    Claim the wildfire discounts

    A Class A roof, ember resistant vents, cleared space around the house and a Firewise USA community each lower the FAIR Plan premium.

One broker for both policies

Two policies from two insurers can leave a gap. We request both at once so the limits and start dates match.

  • The same home value

    The DIC dwelling limit follows the FAIR Plan limit.

  • The same start date

    FAIR Plan coverage starts the day after you pay it. We start the DIC on the same day.

  • Photos we send for you

    The FAIR Plan needs 2 or 3 photos from the last 7 days. We upload them with the application.

Dry hills and brush above a valley

The two policies that replace a homeowners policy

FAIR Plan

  • Fire and lightning

    Including wildfire.

  • Internal explosion and smoke
  • Up to $3 million per home

DIC policy

  • Water damage and theft
  • Personal liability

    Up to $500,000, depending on the market.

  • Evacuation costs

    Included for primary homes, depending on the market.

What to have ready

  • Your non-renewal or cancellation notice
  • The property address and county
  • Year built, construction and roof year
  • 2 or 3 photos taken in the last 7 days
  • Wildfire hardening you have done
  • Losses in the past five years

Wildfire areas we write

Homes in these areas are the ones standard insurers most often drop. The FAIR Plan and DIC are written across California.

Northern California and the Sierra

Redding, Paradise, Chico, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Placerville, Sonora, Mariposa, South Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

Bay Area and wine country

Santa Rosa, Napa, Sonoma County, Mill Valley, Orinda, the Oakland hills, Los Gatos and Scotts Valley.

Los Angeles and the coast

Malibu, Topanga, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, Ojai and Ventura.

Southern California mountains

Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, Idyllwild, Julian, Ramona and Three Rivers.

Other ways to insure a home in a fire area

FAIR Plan + DIC

What each policy covers and how they fit together.

High value homes

Homes that cost more than $1.5 million to rebuild.

What sets the price

  • Wildfire score for the address
  • Wildfire hardening discounts
  • Construction and year built
  • Roof age and condition
  • Coverage limits and deductibles
  • Losses in the past five years

Questions we get asked

My insurer won't renew my home. What now?

Ask a broker to shop the insurers still writing your area first. If none will take the home, apply to the California FAIR Plan and add a DIC policy for what it leaves out.

Does the FAIR Plan cost more?

It depends on the home. The FAIR Plan does not surcharge a home for its location, and its wildfire discounts lower the price. A DIC policy is an added premium on top.

What does the FAIR Plan leave out?

Theft, water damage and personal liability. A DIC policy is built to fill those gaps.

See FAIR Plan + DIC

How long does it take?

The FAIR Plan aims to review an application in about 5 business days once it has the photos. An inspection instead of photos takes 2 to 3 weeks. Coverage starts the day after you pay.

Can I go back to a regular policy later?

Yes. The FAIR Plan is meant as a fallback. We can check the standard market again at renewal.

Can you write this where my business is?

We are currently licensed in California only. Start a quote if the business or risk is in California, and we will confirm eligibility before you spend time on it.

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.