A letter arrives saying your home insurance will not be renewed. Maybe you filed a claim. Maybe your street backs up to brush. Maybe nothing changed at all and the company is simply pulling back from your area. It is happening to homeowners all over California, and it does not mean you are uninsurable.
The short version:
- Your insurer has to give you at least 75 days’ notice. Use that time.
- Check whether your ZIP code is protected by a wildfire moratorium.
- Shop before your policy ends, and do not let coverage lapse.
- The California FAIR Plan is the last resort, not the first stop.
- MIS Insurance can still find you a policy. Regular homeowners policies start as low as $69 a month, and brush-area homes and homes with claims start as low as $175 a month. Prices vary.
Step 1: Read the notice and mark the date
In California, an insurer that decides not to renew a homeowners policy must send written notice at least 75 days before the policy expires. The notice gives the reason and the date your coverage ends. That date is your deadline.
Step 2: Check the wildfire moratorium
After the governor declares a wildfire state of emergency, California law bars insurers from cancelling or non-renewing residential policies in the affected ZIP codes for one year. The Department of Insurance publishes the list of protected ZIP codes. If yours is on it and your notice came anyway, call your insurer and the Department of Insurance.
Step 3: Shop now, not the week your policy ends
This is where an independent agency helps. We are not tied to one company, so we check carriers that still write homes with claims and homes in brush areas. Have these ready:
- Your current declarations page, which shows what you are covered for today
- The non-renewal notice
- A list of any claims in the last five years
- Anything you have done to protect the home, such as a newer roof or cleared brush
Step 4: Do not let your coverage lapse
A gap in coverage can make a new policy harder to get. If you have a mortgage, your lender can also buy a policy on your behalf and bill you for it. Lender-placed insurance usually costs more and mostly protects the lender, not you.
Step 5: Know where the FAIR Plan fits
The California FAIR Plan exists for homes that cannot get regular coverage. It is a basic fire policy. It has coverage limits and it does not include liability, so most owners who use it add a second policy, called a difference in conditions policy, to fill the gaps.
It is a safety net. We have options other than the FAIR Plan, and we check those first.
Making a brush-area home easier to insure
These steps can help you qualify and may lower your price:
- Clear dry brush and dead plants away from the house
- Keep the roof and gutters free of leaves and pine needles
- Use a fire-resistant roof and ember-resistant vents
- Trim trees so branches do not hang over the roof
What it costs
| Type of home | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Regular homeowners policy (HO-3) | As low as $69 a month |
| Brush-area homes and homes with claims | As low as $175 a month |
Prices vary by home, location and coverage. Call us or request a quote and we will give you an exact price.
Common questions
Can my insurer drop me in the middle of my policy?
A non-renewal happens at the end of the policy term. Cancelling in the middle of a term is generally limited to specific reasons, such as not paying the premium. If you get a mid-term cancellation, ask the insurer for the reason in writing.
I’ve had claims. Can I still get covered?
Yes. Even with claims on your record, we can still find you a policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes or floods?
No. Those are usually excluded. Your home insurer is required to offer you earthquake coverage for an added premium, and flood insurance is a separate policy.
Does this apply to condos and rentals too?
Yes. If you were dropped or have claims, we can still find you a policy for a condo, a rental or investment property or a short-term rental.
Got a non-renewal notice?
Start at our homeowners insurance page, or call 800-726-0640, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm Pacific. MIS Insurance Services is an independent agency rated 4.9 stars across more than 3,100 Google reviews.
Coverage we can help with
- General liability insurance, as low as $59 a month
- Workers’ compensation insurance, as low as $83 a month
- Commercial auto insurance, as low as $79 a month
- Homeowners insurance, as low as $69 a month, and as low as $175 a month for brush-area homes and homes with claims
- Condo insurance, as low as $79 a month
- Renters insurance, as low as $11 a month
- Landlord and investment property insurance, as low as $75 a month
- Short-term rental insurance, as low as $85 a month
- All property insurance
Prices vary by business, property, location and coverage.
This article is general information, not legal advice. What a policy covers depends on the policy you buy, and California’s rules change. Confirm the details for your own situation with your agent. Last reviewed October 2026.