California FAIR Plan (October 2026): what it covers, what it costs, how to get off it
Updated October 26, 2026 · From the California Department of Insurance, the California FAIR Plan Association and other public records · Our data
About 665,607 California homes were on the FAIR Plan as of June 2026, roughly 7.5% of insured homes and 2.8 times the 2021 count. Here's what it is, what it costs where you live, and how to move off it.
What it is
The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort. It isn't a government agency: it's an association that every insurer licensed to sell property insurance in California must belong to and share in. It exists for homes no regular insurer will write, and it can't turn a home down for its location.
What it covers, and what it doesn't
- Covered: fire, including wildfire and smoke, plus lightning and internal explosion. Other coverages (like windstorm and vandalism) can be added.
- Not covered: theft, water damage from inside the house (a burst pipe), and personal liability. That's why most FAIR Plan homes add a difference in conditions (DIC) policy.
- Limit: up to $3 million for the dwelling. Homes that cost more to rebuild usually need a high-value or surplus lines insurer.
What it costs
Statewide, the average FAIR Plan premium for an owner-occupied home is about $3,001 a year, for fire coverage alone. It varies a lot by county:
| County | FAIR Plan premium, average | Homes on the FAIR Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Napa | $7,655 | 7% |
| Santa Barbara | $6,155 | 7% |
| Sonoma | $5,183 | 6% |
| Santa Cruz | $5,112 | 15% |
| Monterey | $4,865 | 6% |
| Mariposa | $4,297 | 45% |
| Nevada | $4,241 | 43% |
| Placer | $4,185 | 13% |
| Contra Costa | $4,174 | 4% |
| Santa Clara | $4,165 | 2% |
Official California FAIR Plan Association, June 2026: written premium ÷ policies for owner-occupied single-family homes. Your price depends on the home's rebuild cost and location. The FAIR Plan's rates rose 29.1% on average for policies starting October 15, 2026.
Where it's most common
In these counties the largest share of insured homes is on the FAIR Plan:
| County | Homes on the FAIR Plan | FAIR Plan policies |
|---|---|---|
| Tuolumne | 48% | 13,755 |
| Mariposa | 45% | 3,274 |
| Nevada | 43% | 23,520 |
| Calaveras | 37% | 10,404 |
| Amador | 35% | 6,073 |
| Mono | 33% | 2,152 |
| El Dorado | 31% | 27,892 |
| Sierra | 31% | 515 |
| Trinity | 27% | 1,373 |
| Plumas | 27% | 2,732 |
By ZIP code, the highest shares are in the mountains: Cedarpines Park 92322 (81%), Silverado 92676 (80%), Topanga 90290 (78%), Crestline 92325 (77%), Twin Peaks 92391 (76%). See the 100 hardest ZIP codes.
How to get it
Apply through a licensed insurance agent or broker; they submit the application to the FAIR Plan and can quote a companion policy at the same time. Bind it before your current policy ends so there's no gap; a lapse makes the next policy harder to get and can break your mortgage terms.
How to get off it
- Shop every year. Insurers are expanding again under the state's new rules; see who's writing now.
- Harden the home. A Class A roof, ember-resistant vents and a 5-foot ember-resistant zone earn discounts and make a home easier to place. See the discounts insurers must give.
- Use an independent broker who can check many insurers at once, including smaller ones.
- When a regular policy starts, cancel the FAIR Plan (and the companion policy) so you're not paying twice.
Common questions
- What is the California FAIR Plan?
- The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort, a pool that all home insurers in California fund. It covers homes no regular insurer will write and can't turn a home down for its location.
- What does the FAIR Plan cover?
- Fire, including wildfire and smoke, and a few related perils like lightning and internal explosion. It doesn't cover theft, water damage or liability, so most owners add a separate difference in conditions (DIC) policy.
- How much does the California FAIR Plan cost?
- The average FAIR Plan premium for an owner-occupied home in California is about $3,001 a year for fire coverage alone (June 2026 figures from the California FAIR Plan Association). It varies a lot by area and home; FAIR Plan rates rose 29.1% on average for policies starting October 15, 2026.
- How many homes are on the California FAIR Plan?
- About 665,607 residential policies as of June 2026, roughly 7.5% of insured California homes and 2.8 times the number in 2021.
- What's the most the FAIR Plan will cover?
- Up to $3 million for the dwelling. Homes that cost more to rebuild usually need a high-value or surplus lines insurer through a broker.
- How do I get off the FAIR Plan?
- Shop the private market every year through an independent broker, finish wildfire mitigation (Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, 5-foot ember-resistant zone) and ask insurers that are expanding under the state's new rules. When a regular policy starts, cancel the FAIR Plan.
More guides
- Who's still writing home insurance in California (October 2026)Which big insurers are taking new customers, which are closed, and who's about to reopen.
- Why California home insurance went up, and how to lower yoursWhat's driving premiums, the rate increases the state approved, and what actually lowers the price.
- Safer from Wildfires: the discounts California insurers must giveThe home-hardening steps every insurer must credit, and the FAIR Plan's own list.
- Buying a home in a California fire zone: the insurance checklistWhat to check before your offer and before contingencies come off.
Insureability is not an insurance company, agency or broker and doesn't recommend insurers. This guide is general information from public records, not insurance or legal advice; your policy and the Department of Insurance are the authority.