Insurance
Wildfire Insurance in California: What Homeowners Need to Know (2026)
California’s wildfire risk has made home insurance harder to find and more expensive. New laws and safety programs can help — and there are clear steps you can take if your policy is dropped.
How to Get Insurance Discounts
Do fire-hardening upgrades through California’s “Safer from Wildfires” program:
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Class-A fire-rated roof (not wood shake)
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5-foot ember-resistant zone around the house
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Metal-screened vents
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6 inches of non-combustible siding at wall bases
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Enclosed eaves
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Multi-pane windows or shutters
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Clear debris under decks
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Move sheds 30+ feet away
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Meet defensible-space laws
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Join a Firewise USA or Fire Risk Reduction Community
If Your Insurance Is Being Dropped
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Insurers usually must give 75-days’ notice in CA.
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Ask what fixes could qualify you for renewal.
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Work with an independent insurance agent.
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Contact your local fire agency for inspections or brush-clearing help.
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If notice seems unfair, call the CA Department of Insurance:
1-800-927-4357
How to Find New Insurance
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Shop widely and compare prices.
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Insure for full replacement cost, not depreciated value.
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Add building-code and extended replacement coverage.
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Create a home-inventory video and save receipts.
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Use CDI tools: www.insurance.ca.gov
The FAIR Plan: Last Resort
California FAIR Plan offers basic fire insurance and can cost more.
(800) 339-4099 www.cfpnet.com
Tip: Pair with a “Difference in Conditions” policy for full protection.
New California Laws
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Grants for low- and middle-income homeowners to harden homes - coming soon.
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Faster claim advances after fires
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New financing tools to stabilize the FAIR Plan
Trusted Resources
CAL FIRE – www.fire.ca.gov
CA Dept. of Insurance – www.insurance.ca.gov
CA FAIR Plan – www.cfpnet.com
United Policyholders - a non-profit that is for consumers – www.uphelp.org/cainsurancehelp