What to do if your California home insurance is not renewed.

First 24 hours

• Save the notice and write down the policy expiration date.
• Ask the insurer or agent for the exact reason in writing.
• Confirm whether a repair, inspection, mitigation step, or document can change the decision.
• Do not cancel the old policy until replacement coverage is bound and effective dates line up.

California issues to watch

In California, pay close attention to wildfire, nonrenewal, replacement-cost, and availability signals. These can affect eligibility, premiums, deductibles, roof settlement, exclusions, or quote availability.

Use the Dropped Policy Help Center for an interactive checklist.

Wildfire nonrenewals and the one-year moratorium

California law (Insurance Code §675.1) blocks insurers from canceling or nonrenewing residential policies for one year after a declared wildfire emergency, for homeowners living within or adjacent to the fire perimeter. The Department of Insurance issues ZIP-code lists of the protected areas.

If you receive a nonrenewal after a nearby fire, check whether your ZIP code is covered by an active moratorium before accepting it, and contact the Department of Insurance if you think the protection applies to you.

The FAIR Plan as the last resort

The California FAIR Plan is the insurer of last resort for fire coverage when the standard market will not write you. It provides a basic fire policy, which is narrower than a typical homeowners policy.

Many homeowners pair the FAIR Plan with a separate “difference in conditions” (DIC) wrap policy to add liability, water, and theft coverage that the FAIR Plan does not include. Treat it as a bridge while you keep seeking a full admitted policy.

California official help

The California Department of Insurance runs a consumer hotline and publishes residential insurance resources, including help finding coverage in high-risk areas. California Department of Insurance residential insurance.

Questions to ask before you shop

• Is this a nonrenewal, conditional renewal, repair requirement, or coverage restriction?
• Which deductible changed: all-perils, wind, hail, hurricane, wildfire, or another separate deductible?
• Did roof settlement change to actual cash value or an age-based schedule?
• Did the dwelling limit, water backup, ordinance or law, loss-of-use, or exclusion language change?
• Can a licensed agent quote equivalent coverage, not just a lower price?

Official California help

Use official consumer resources when the notice is unclear, deadlines are short, or you need complaint information.

California Department of Insurance residential insurance

Share the signal anonymously

If you are comfortable contributing, RateReceipt can count your nonrenewal or restriction without asking for your address, ZIP code, insurer name, policy number, or documents.

Report a nonrenewal or coverage issue or open the California tracker.