Home insurance non-renewed in California? Here’s what to do next.
A non-renewal notice is stressful, but you usually have time to act. This guide covers the deadlines, your options and when the California FAIR Plan comes in. Questions tonight? Chris answers until 8 PM, every day.
Calls answered every day until 8 PM
Six steps after a non-renewal notice
Find your expiration date and the reason.
California generally requires insurers to send a residential non-renewal notice at least 75 days before the policy ends, with the reason. Your coverage stays in force until that date.
Check for a wildfire moratorium.
After a declared wildfire emergency, the Insurance Commissioner can stop non-renewals for a year in affected and nearby ZIP codes. Look up your ZIP on the California Department of Insurance site.
Don’t let coverage lapse.
If you have a mortgage, your lender requires continuous coverage and can buy a policy for you, usually at a higher cost and with less protection, if yours ends.
Gather your current declarations page.
It lists your dwelling limit, deductibles and endorsements, so a new quote can be compared fairly with what you have now.
Ask about wildfire mitigation.
Home hardening and defensible space can matter to insurers. California’s Safer from Wildfires rules require insurers to recognize qualifying mitigation in their rates.
Talk to an agent before the deadline.
Chris checks whether Farmers can offer a policy for your home. If a standard policy isn’t available, he explains the FAIR Plan with a difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy and can help place both.
Chris answers every day until 8 PM, Sundays included, in English or Spanish. Have your notice and current declarations page handy.
- Phone & text(925) 494-4551
- Hours7 days, until 8 PM
- AreaAll of California
FAIR Plan plus DIC, in plain English
The California FAIR Plan is the state’s insurer of last resort. It covers fire and a short list of related perils. It isn’t a full homeowners policy.
A difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy is a separate policy that fills gaps the FAIR Plan leaves, such as liability, theft and water damage, depending on the policy you choose.
Together they can work like a homeowners policy when the regular market won’t write your home. It’s more paperwork and often costs more, which is why it usually makes sense to check standard options first.
What to have ready when you call
- The non-renewal notice (date and reason)
- Your current declarations page
- Year built, square footage and roof age
- Any updates: roof, electrical, plumbing, defensible space
- Your lender’s name if you have a mortgage
Prefer to start online? Send a home quote request and Chris follows up.
California non-renewal FAQ.
How much notice does my insurer have to give before non-renewing my home policy?
For residential property in California, the insurer generally must send the non-renewal notice at least 75 days before the policy expires and state the reason. Check the dates on your notice, and contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 if something looks wrong.
My State Farm (or Allstate, or other) policy was non-renewed. Can you help?
Yes. Whichever company sent the notice, the steps are the same: note your expiration date, gather your current declarations page, and call Chris to review what’s available for your home.
Can Farmers insure my home?
It depends on the home, its location and underwriting. Chris checks whether a Farmers policy is available for you. If a standard policy isn’t available, he can explain and help place California FAIR Plan coverage paired with a difference-in-conditions policy.
What is the California FAIR Plan?
The FAIR Plan is California’s insurer of last resort for property owners who can’t find coverage in the regular market. It provides basic fire coverage, so many homeowners pair it with a difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy for coverage the FAIR Plan doesn’t include, such as liability and theft.
What if a wildfire emergency was declared near me?
After a declared wildfire emergency, the Insurance Commissioner can order a one-year moratorium on non-renewals in affected and nearby ZIP codes. Check the Department of Insurance’s moratorium list for your ZIP code.
I got the letter on a weekend. Can I call now?
Yes. Chris answers (925) 494-4551 every day until 8 PM, Sundays included.
General information, not legal advice. Availability depends on the property, location and underwriting; Chris can’t promise any company will write your home. Each Farmers Insurance company has sole financial responsibility for its own products. CA License #4413130.