Wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural hazards are part of life in California. But for many homeowners, especially in wildfire-prone areas like Rocklin, San Mateo, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, these risks have made traditional home insurance harder to secure — or even impossible. If you’ve been dropped, denied, or are facing non-renewal, the California FAIR Plan may be your best option.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what the FAIR Plan is, who needs it, how it works with supplemental coverage, and how to get the protection you need — even in high-risk zones.
What Is the California FAIR Plan?
The California FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) is a state-mandated insurance program created to ensure homeowners in high-risk areas can still access basic fire insurance. It’s not a government subsidy — it’s funded by a pool of private insurers — and it serves as insurance of last resort when standard carriers decline coverage.
Important note: The FAIR Plan only covers fire-related perils. To get complete homeowners insurance, most people need to pair it with Dwelling Fire or Differences in Conditions (DIC) policies for theft, liability, and water damage.
Why Are So Many California Homeowners Being Dropped?
With wildfires growing more frequent and destructive, insurance companies are tightening underwriting guidelines. Homeowners in regions with:
- High wildfire risk (e.g., Rocklin, Auburn, Grass Valley, or the Santa Cruz Mountains)
- Remote or hard-to-access areas
- Older homes or outdated roofs
- High claims history
…may find their home insurance policy non-renewed or declined altogether.
If that’s your situation, you're not alone. Thousands across the San Mateo Hills, Bay Area outskirts, and foothill communities face the same issue — and the FAIR Plan is often the fallback.
Who Needs a FAIR Plan Policy?
You may need FAIR Plan insurance if:
- You live in a wildfire-prone zone (check your home’s Fireline or brush score)
- You’ve been dropped or non-renewed by your insurer
- You were denied coverage during underwriting
- You’re purchasing a new home and can’t find traditional insurance
- You need proof of coverage for escrow or mortgage lenders
Even if you’ve never had a claim, proximity to brush or fire history in your zip code can impact your insurability.
What Does the FAIR Plan Cover?
The FAIR Plan provides basic fire coverage under a named perils policy (DP-1). This typically includes:
- Fire and smoke damage
- Lightning
- Internal explosion
Some optional FAIR Plan endorsements include:
- Vandalism or malicious mischief (VMM)
- Limited water damage (rare)
- Inflation guard
(It does NOT cover: theft, personal liability, water/sewer backup, or loss of use. That’s why most clients need supplemental homeowners coverage for full protection.
Pairing FAIR Plan with a Supplemental Policy
To make your home insurance complete, Schenone Insurance typically pairs the FAIR Plan with a companion policy (HO-3 or DIC). This provides:
- Personal property protection (furniture, electronics, clothes)
- Liability coverage (slip-and-fall or lawsuits)
- Loss of use (hotel stays if you’re displaced)
- Water and wind damage
Together, these two policies work like a traditional home insurance policy — and help satisfy lender and escrow requirements.
How Much Does a FAIR Plan Cost?
Pricing depends on:
- Home value and replacement cost
- Wildfire risk (e.g., Fireline or brush score)
- Square footage and location
- Requested coverage limits
In high-risk areas, the FAIR Plan may be more affordable than many expect, especially when bundled with a competitively priced supplemental policy.
Tip: Independent brokers like Schenone Insurance compare multiple carriers for your supplemental policy — keeping your overall cost competitive.
How to Get FAIR Plan Coverage with Schenone Insurance
We make the process simple:
- Initial consultation: Tell us about your home and risk profile.
- Risk assessment: We determine eligibility and brush score.
- Custom quote: We provide FAIR Plan + supplemental policy options.
- Policy binding: We walk you through setup, payments, and escrow paperwork.
- Annual support: We reassess coverage each year and explore traditional markets if your risk score improves.
Common FAQs About California FAIR Plan Insurance
Q: Can I just get FAIR Plan coverage without the supplemental policy?
Yes — but it only covers limited perils. You’ll be exposed to financial risk without liability or contents coverage.
Q: Will lenders accept FAIR Plan insurance?
Yes, as long as it’s paired with a supplemental policy to meet full coverage requirements.
Q: Can I add wildfire mitigation discounts?
The FAIR Plan does not currently offer premium discounts for hardening your home, but some supplemental carriers may.
Q: Is the FAIR Plan going away?
No. It’s backed by law and will continue to support Californians with last-resort fire coverage.
What Areas in California Most Commonly Use FAIR Plan?
While coverage is statewide, we frequently help homeowners in:
- Rocklin, Auburn, and Placer County
- San Mateo Hills and coastal ridgelines
- Santa Rosa and Napa wine country
- Santa Cruz Mountains and Los Gatos
- San Francisco Bay Area high-brush zones
Whether you’re in the suburbs or the Sierra foothills, we can assess your eligibility and walk you through next steps.
Why Choose Schenone Insurance?
✔ Local knowledge:
Offices in Rocklin and San Mateo
✔ Independent experts:
We shop multiple supplemental carriers
✔ Trusted experience:
40+ years helping California homeowners
✔ Clear communication:
No jargon, just smart advice
✔ Full service:
We support you through claims, renewals, and changes
Protect Your High-Risk California Home
The insurance market may be changing, but your ability to protect your home shouldn’t be. With the right FAIR Plan and supplemental coverage, you can still secure complete protection — even in wildfire-prone or high-risk zones.
Let Schenone Insurance help you navigate the complexities with clarity and confidence.