California home insurance in May 2026: what changed

Published May 11, 2026. From Department of Insurance announcements, rate filings and bulletins, and the California FAIR Plan, checked every day. Our data

Farmers: +1.5% homeowners rate change approved; travelers: plans to reopen.

Insurers opening and closing

• Travelers: plans to reopen Joined the new rules voluntarily in April 2026, saying it will expand availability statewide; pending. May 1, 2026 · Source · Travelers in California

Rate changes the state approved

• Farmers: +1.5% homeowners rate change approved Farmers Next Generation® Homeowners program; requested +7.0%. May 11, 2026 · Source

Where the market stands

• About 665,607 California homes are on the FAIR Plan (June 2026), roughly 7.5% of insured homes and 2.8× the 2021 count; average FAIR Plan premium $3,001 a year (fire only).
• 514 of 1,719 ZIP codes are rated Hardest to insure (15% or more of homes on the FAIR Plan); the hardest: Cedarpines Park 92322 (81%), Silverado 92676 (80%), Topanga 90290 (78%), Crestline 92325 (77%), Twin Peaks 92391 (76%).
• Large insurers taking new customers: Farmers, Mercury, CSAA (AAA Northern California), USAA, California Casualty, Pacific Specialty, PURE (high-value homes), MS Transverse (new entrant). Closed to new: State Farm General, Allstate.
• Active wildfire moratoriums: Gann Fire (until August 6, 2027); Gifford Fire (until December 23, 2026); Pack Fire (until December 9, 2026).

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Insureability is not an insurance company, agency or broker and doesn't recommend insurers. Department of Insurance announcements are read automatically; check the source link before relying on a detail.