What to Review After a Homeowners Insurance Non-Renewal in California
A non-renewal notice is stressful, but it usually arrives with time to act. California generally requires insurers to give at least 75 days' notice before non-renewing a homeowners policy. Use that time to gather information and review your options rather than waiting for the expiration date.
Read the notice carefully
Note the expiration date and the stated reason. Some non-renewals relate to wildfire exposure; others relate to roof condition, claims or the carrier leaving a market. The reason affects which options may be available.
Gather your documents
Have your current declarations page, the age and type of your roof, any recent updates to plumbing, electrical or HVAC, defensible-space or home-hardening work, and your claims history ready. These help an agent present your property to carriers.
Document home hardening
California's Safer from Wildfires regulations require admitted insurers to recognize certain wildfire mitigation efforts with discounts. Keep records of a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents, and cleared defensible space around your home.
Review private-market and FAIR Plan options
Depending on the property, options may include another admitted carrier, a non-admitted (surplus lines) carrier, or the CA FAIR Plan paired with a Difference in Conditions policy. Each has different coverage, cost and consumer protections, so compare them side by side.
Don't let coverage lapse
A gap in coverage can make future placement harder and may violate your mortgage requirements. Start early so a replacement can be in place before your policy expires.
Related articles
Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in California?
How California homeowners should think about earthquake insurance: fault proximity, percentage deductibles, CEA vs private carriers and retrofit discounts.
CA Fair Plan vs. Standard Homeowners Insurance: What's the Difference?
What the California FAIR Plan covers, what it leaves out, why you need a difference-in-conditions wrap, and how to get back to the standard market.
Talk it through with an agent
Surequest is an independent agency in San Jose. We will compare California carriers for your specific property and tell you plainly what we would do.
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