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Who's still writing home insurance in California (October 2026)

Updated October 26, 2026 · From the California Department of Insurance, the California FAIR Plan Association and other public records · Our data

Fewer big insurers are writing new California home policies than a few years ago, but the list is growing again. Here's where each one stands as of October 23, 2026, from Department of Insurance announcements and the companies' own statements. We check every day.

Taking new customers

Each still decides home by home: a "yes" statewide doesn't mean every house qualifies. USAA writes only for military members and their families; CSAA writes for AAA members in Northern California.

Planning to reopen or expand

Not taking new customers

No public statement yet: American Family, Chubb, Nationwide.

Smaller insurers, ZIP code by ZIP code

The big names write most homes, but smaller companies often take the hard-to-insure ones. The state's Home Insurance Finder lists every company that says it writes homeowners policies in a ZIP code, and which may write in higher fire risk areas. Insureability reads it for all 1,719 California ZIP codes: each ZIP code page shows how many companies the state lists there and the fire-area list with phone numbers.

Why the market changed

After the 2017–2021 wildfires, several large insurers stopped or capped new policies. In response the state adopted its Sustainable Insurance Strategy: insurers may use wildfire models and reinsurance costs in their rates if they commit to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. Mercury, CSAA and USAA were approved under these rules; others have filed. Approved rate changes for the big insurers are listed on Insurance companies, and every change is logged on Updates.

If no one will write the home

The California FAIR Plan can't turn a home down for its location. Pair it with a companion (DIC) policy, and keep shopping the private market every year.

Common questions

Which insurers are taking new home insurance customers in California?
As of October 23, 2026, these large insurers say they're writing new homeowners policies in California: Farmers, Mercury, CSAA (AAA Northern California), USAA, California Casualty, Pacific Specialty. Each still decides home by home, and some write only for members (USAA, CSAA). The California FAIR Plan is always available as the last resort.
Is State Farm writing new home insurance in California?
Not taking new homeowners applications since May 2023; has asked to reopen for wildfire-prepared homes. Status from Department of Insurance announcements as of October 23, 2026.
Is Allstate writing new home insurance in California?
No new policies since November 2022; filed in September 2026 to reopen. Status from Department of Insurance announcements as of October 23, 2026.
What if no insurer will write my home?
The California FAIR Plan can't turn a home down for its location. It covers fire only, so most owners add a separate difference in conditions (DIC) policy for theft, water damage and liability. Keep shopping the private market every year.
Check a specific home. Type any California address for its fire and flood zones, who's writing there and what to do next: free home report. Questions? Ask Shirley.

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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.