The best way to add coverage to the California FAIR Plan is usually two steps: buy the FAIR Plan's own optional coverages first, then add a difference in conditions (DIC) policy for what the FAIR Plan never covers. The FAIR Plan dwelling policy covers fire, lightning, internal explosion and smoke, with extended coverage and vandalism as options, and it leaves out theft, water damage and liability.[1][2] For the DIC, Menlo quotes Aegis, whose stand-alone DIC goes up to $3 million of dwelling value, and Green Shield.[3][4] The Department of Insurance also lists 18 admitted insurers that sell a DIC built to pair with the FAIR Plan, most of them through their own agents.[5]
This list is for a California homeowner or landlord who is on the FAIR Plan, or about to be, and wants the gaps filled. How a DIC works in a claim is in our DIC guide. To get both policies quoted together, start on our FAIR Plan and DIC page.
What are the ways to add coverage to a FAIR Plan policy?
There are three kinds: the FAIR Plan's own options, a DIC policy from one of several insurers, and earthquake coverage. Most homes need the first two. The table shows what each one adds and who sells it.
| Option | What it adds | Who sells it | Menlo quotes it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAIR Plan options | Extended coverage (wind, hail, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles, volcanic eruption) and vandalism, replacement cost, extended dwelling coverage, fair rental value[2][8] | The FAIR Plan, through a broker | Yes, as a registered FAIR Plan broker |
| Aegis DIC | Water damage, collapse, theft and liability. Dwelling values up to $3M, liability up to $500K, all occupancies[3][8] | Aegis General, whose admitted California programs have been written by DB Insurance[10] | Yes |
| Green Shield DIC | California-only DIC wrap, liability $100K to $1M, medical payments up to $10K[4] | Green Shield | Yes |
| Admitted DIC insurers on the CDI list | A DIC "that complements a FAIR Plan policy" for coverage similar to homeowners[5] | 18 insurers, mostly through their own agents[5] | Aegis (DB Insurance) only |
| CEA earthquake | Earthquake damage, which the FAIR Plan and most DICs exclude | The FAIR Plan, with an in-force FAIR Plan policy[6] | Yes |
What should I add inside the FAIR Plan first?
The widest named-peril option, because a peril you didn't choose is a claim you can't make. The FAIR Plan's dwelling application offers three peril choices: Fire Only, Fire and ECE, and Fire, ECE and VMM.[2] Extended coverage adds windstorm, hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles and volcanic eruption, and vandalism is added on top.[8] The same application offers extended dwelling coverage of 25%, dwelling replacement cost (a house over 25 years old needs a roof replaced in the last 25 years), personal property replacement cost and fair rental value up to half the dwelling limit.[2] If the home is vacant, vandalism also needs the FAIR Plan's vacancy permit endorsement.[7]
Which DIC is best to pair with the FAIR Plan?
It depends on the home, and the admitted insurers on the Department of Insurance's list deserve the same look as the two DICs Menlo quotes.[5] Aegis describes its product as "the only true stand-alone DIC insurance program in the market," designed as a companion to a FAIR Plan policy, and it takes all occupancies with dwelling values up to $3 million.[3] It offers personal liability up to $500,000, includes evacuation reimbursement for primary homes, offers equipment breakdown, and accepts all dog breeds, trampolines and pools with slides or diving boards, with liability limitations.[3][8] Aegis's DIC is written for wildfire-exposed homes. In our walk of its application, addresses with a Fireline wildfire score of 0N or 0Y were refused.[9]
Green Shield is the second DIC we quote, and the one to try when the house doesn't fit Aegis. Its California DIC offers liability limits of $100,000, $300,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000 and medical payments up to $10,000, and it defaults to actual cash value on the dwelling, so ask for replacement cost if you want it.[4] Green Shield's DIC insurer is not one of the 18 on the Department of Insurance's admitted list, so check the admitted status shown on the quote.[5]
What about the admitted DIC insurers on the Department of Insurance list?
They are a real option, and most FAIR Plan households can check them through the insurer's own agent. The Department of Insurance lists 18 insurers whose DIC "complements a FAIR Plan policy so that the consumer (who buys both) has the same or similar coverage as a traditional homeowners' (HO) policy."[5] The list includes California Automobile Insurance Company (Mercury), California Capital, California Mutual, CSAA Insurance Exchange, DB Insurance (U.S. Branch), Foremost, Pacific Specialty, Standard Fire, Zurich American, Seaview (Aegis Group), Farmers Insurance Exchange and Nationwide Mutual, among others.[5] Menlo quotes Aegis, whose admitted California programs have been written by DB Insurance, one of the companies on that list.[10] Our Foremost appointment is pending, and we don't represent the others, so for those you'd go to their own agents.
Which DIC is best for liability?
Green Shield, if you need more than $500,000. Its DIC offers up to $1 million of liability, against up to $500,000 at Aegis.[4][3] Either way the FAIR Plan itself carries no liability at all, so a landlord or an owner with a pool shouldn't go without one.[1]
How do I cover earthquake and flood?
With separate policies. The FAIR Plan excludes earthquake and most DIC forms exclude it too, so earthquake comes from a CEA policy through the FAIR Plan or a private quake program.[6] Read our guide to earthquake coverage with the FAIR Plan for the choices.
How do I make the FAIR Plan and the DIC work together?
Match them. Use the same dwelling and contents limits, the same named insured (including a trust), the same address and the same start date, and ask in writing whether the DIC pays living expenses when a FAIR Plan peril, like fire, forces you out. Our DIC guide explains why those points decide claims. For homes in the hardest wildfire areas, our page on home insurance in high fire risk areas explains how we quote both together.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best DIC insurance company in California?
There isn't one. For a high-value wildfire-area home, Aegis's stand-alone DIC goes to $3 million of dwelling value. For higher liability limits, Green Shield goes to $1 million. For an admitted policy from a household name, compare the 18 insurers on the Department of Insurance's list. Menlo quotes Aegis and Green Shield.[3][4][5]
Can I add theft and water damage to the FAIR Plan itself?
Does a DIC policy include liability?
Which DIC insurers can Menlo quote?
Aegis and Green Shield. Menlo is also a registered FAIR Plan broker, so both policies can be quoted together.
This guide is for educational purposes and summarizes the California FAIR Plan's policy and application, the Department of Insurance's DIC list (checked 2026-09-27), carrier program documents dated 2020–2026 and Menlo's walks of carrier applications in September 2026. Programs, eligibility and availability change, and your policy's terms control. Menlo Insurance Services (CA license 6020106) is a licensed broker and registered FAIR Plan broker that may earn a commission on a placement and does not guarantee that any coverage or price will be available. Non-admitted insurers are not backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association.
The Bottom Line
Fill the FAIR Plan's gaps in order. First, choose its widest perils and replacement cost options. Then add a DIC for theft, water and liability, such as Aegis (up to $3 million, liability up to $500,000) or Green Shield (liability up to $1 million), or an admitted insurer from the Department of Insurance's list. Then add earthquake if you want it.[2][3][4][5][6] Match the policies on limits, names and dates so nothing falls between them.
References
- 1.California FAIR Plan Association. “Dwelling Fire Policy (sample), effective 3/17/2026.” 2026. https://www.cfpnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Dwelling-Fire-Policy_effective-3-17-26.pdf ↩
- 2.California FAIR Plan Association. “Broker policy system, Dwelling Fire application (covered perils, dwelling coverage options), reviewed by Menlo.” Accessed 2026-09-25. https://www.cfpnet.com/ ↩
- 3.Aegis General Insurance Agency. “Aegis General Product Overview (CA).” 2026. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Carrier%20Store%20Resources/Aegis/Aegis%20General%20Product%20Overview%20CA.pdf ↩
- 4.Green Shield Risk Solutions. “California DIC application (liability, medical payments, loss settlement options) as walked by Menlo, September 2026.” Accessed 2026-09-23. https://www.greenshieldrisk.com/ ↩
- 5.California Department of Insurance. “List of Insurers that Sell Difference in Conditions (DIC) Policies.” Accessed 2026-09-27. https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/5-residential/carriersDICpolicies.cfm ↩
- 6.California FAIR Plan Association. “Earthquake.” Accessed 2026-09-27. https://www.cfpnet.com/policies/earthquake/ ↩
- 7.California FAIR Plan Association. “Dwelling Application Checklist (ACORD 854 CA).” 2020. https://www.cfpnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dwelling%20Application%20REV%2001%2020.pdf ↩
- 8.Aegis General Insurance Agency. “DIC sell sheet (CA only).” 2020. https://6041899.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6041899/Aegis/Aegis_General_DIC_digital2020v5.pdf ↩
- 9.Aegis General Insurance Agency. “DIC application, wildfire score eligibility as shown in the Aegis application walked by Menlo, September 2026.” Accessed 2026-09-25. https://aegiseasy.com/ ↩
- 10.Aegis General Insurance Agency. “California Dwelling Fire Update (archived).” 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226220037/https://aegiseasy.com/2020/04/california-dwelling-fire-update/ ↩