{ "$schema": "https://bestinsuranceresearch.com/llms-full.txt", "recordType": "coverage", "id": "wildfire-california", "canonicalUrl": "https://bestinsuranceresearch.com/insurance/wildfire-california", "contentVersion": "2026.08.31", "generatedFor": "2026-09-07", "operator": { "legalName": "WJB Services, Inc.", "dba": "Bollinsure Insurance Services", "license": "6013787", "licenseAuthority": "California Department of Insurance" }, "license": "Text on this page may be quoted with attribution and a link to the canonical URL.", "notice": "Public page facts only. This record contains no visitor question, no tool input, and no identifier. It is not a coverage determination, an eligibility decision, or individualized advice.", "name": "Wildfire coverage and availability (California)", "line": "wildfire", "family": "personal", "definition": "Wildfire is not a policy you buy. It is a peril the residential property form already covers, and the questions that actually arise are about availability rather than coverage: whether the policy will be renewed, what notice is owed before it is not, what protection follows a declared emergency, and what the insurer of last resort does and does not include. California answers all four in statute and in published regulator material.", "protects": [ "The dwelling against fire as a peril, under the residential property policy already in force rather than under a separate wildfire policy", "A policyholder against losing cover at renewal without warning, through a notice regime with stated periods and stated reasons", "A residential policyholder in an affected ZIP Code against cancellation or nonrenewal for one year after a declared emergency, based solely on the wildfire", "A policyholder who suffered a total loss, through renewal obligations running at least 24 months from the loss", "An applicant who cannot find cover in the traditional market, through the FAIR Plan as a last resort" ], "commonlyCovers": [ { "item": "A one-year moratorium after a declared emergency", "note": "An insurer shall not cancel or refuse to renew a policy of residential property insurance for a property in any ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency, based solely on the fact that the insured structure is in an area where a wildfire occurred. It reaches policyholders who suffered no loss at all as well as those who did." }, { "item": "A defined way of deciding which ZIP Codes are protected", "note": "The fire perimeter is determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in consultation with the Office of Emergency Services, which supplies perimeter data to the commissioner, who then issues a bulletin telling insurers which ZIP Codes are subject to the subdivision." }, { "item": "Renewal obligations after a total loss", "note": "Where a total loss to the primary insured residence results from a disaster and was not caused by the policyholder's negligence, the insurer must offer renewal for at least the next two annual renewal periods, and no less than 24 months of coverage from the date of loss." }, { "item": "Adjustment of the policy while rebuilding", "note": "Following a total loss the insurer must adjust coverage limits, issue additional policies or attach endorsements reflecting changes in exposure, and may not cancel during rebuilding except on specified statutory grounds or based solely on the damaged condition of the property." }, { "item": "Notice before a policy is not renewed", "note": "At least 45 days before expiration the insurer must deliver or mail either an offer of renewal stating the premium and disclosing any reduction of limits or elimination of coverage, or a notice of nonrenewal; and for policies expiring on or after July 1, 2020 a nonrenewal notice must be given at least 75 days before expiration." }, { "item": "A reason you are entitled to read", "note": "A notice of nonrenewal must contain the specific reason or reasons for the nonrenewal." } ], "commonlyExcludes": [ { "item": "Commercial and industrial risks, from this article", "note": "Section 675 applies the article to policies other than automobile and workers compensation insurance, and does not reach policies primarily insuring risks arising from the conduct of a commercial or industrial enterprise." }, { "item": "Cases where the insured made the risk worse", "note": "The section 675.1 protections do not apply where the named insured commits willful or grossly negligent acts or omissions materially increasing any of the risks insured against, where unrelated losses render the risk ineligible, or where physical or risk changes make the property uninsurable." }, { "item": "Water damage and earth movement, on the FAIR Plan dwelling form", "note": "The published sample dwelling property policy excludes earth movement, meaning earthquake, landslide, mine subsidence and mudflow among others, and excludes water damage meaning flood, surface water, waves, tidal water and overflow of a body of water." }, { "item": "Liability, theft and additional living expenses, from the FAIR Plan's limited fire policy", "note": "The regulator describes the current residential offering as a limited fire policy and directs policyholders wanting water damage, liability, theft, additional living expenses and other common coverages to a Difference in Conditions policy." }, { "item": "Difference in Conditions and flood, from the FAIR Plan itself", "note": "The Plan states that it does not offer those coverages, so the companion policy has to come from somewhere else." } ], "limitsAndDeductibles": [ "There is no separate wildfire limit on a residential policy. The dwelling limit and the loss settlement basis govern, and those are questions for the homeowners line rather than this page.", "The periods are the numbers that matter here. Forty-five days before expiration for an offer of renewal or a notice of nonrenewal.", "Seventy-five days before expiration for a notice of nonrenewal on policies expiring on or after July 1, 2020.", "Where the insurer fails to give the required notice, the existing policy with no change in its terms and conditions remains in effect for the corresponding period from the date the notice is finally delivered or mailed.", "One year of protection from cancellation and nonrenewal from the date of the emergency declaration, for residential policyholders in the affected ZIP Codes.", "At least two annual renewal periods, and no less than 24 months from the date of loss, following a qualifying total loss." ], "endorsements": [ { "item": "A Difference in Conditions policy alongside a FAIR Plan policy", "note": "This is the standard pairing rather than an optional extra, because the FAIR Plan's residential offering is a limited fire policy and the Plan does not write Difference in Conditions itself." }, { "item": "Earthquake, arranged separately", "note": "The FAIR Plan describes earthquake coverage for individually owned residential properties and for tenant and condominium owner personal property through the California Earthquake Authority, and the dwelling form itself excludes earth movement." }, { "item": "Nothing that makes wildfire a separate purchase", "note": "Fire is a peril of the underlying residential form. What varies is whether that form is available and on what terms, which is what the statutes on this page address." } ], "relatedPolicies": [ "Homeowners insurance, which is the policy the wildfire peril actually sits in", "Residential earthquake, which answers a peril the FAIR Plan dwelling form excludes [S:cfp-dwelling-property-policy-form]", "Flood, which neither the FAIR Plan nor the dwelling form provides [S:ca-fair-plan-policies]" ], "underwritingInputs": [ "Whether the property sits in a ZIP Code the commissioner's bulletin lists as within or adjacent to a fire perimeter [S:ca-ins-code-675-1]", "Whether a state of emergency has been declared and when, since the moratorium runs one year from that date [S:ca-ins-code-675-1]", "Whether the policy is residential property insurance as the section defines it, by reference to subdivision (a) of Section 10087 [S:ca-ins-code-675-1]", "Whether the risk is commercial or industrial, which takes it outside the article entirely [S:ca-ins-code-675]", "The policy expiration date, from which both notice periods are counted [S:ca-ins-code-678]", "Whether a diligent search of the traditional market has been made, which is what the FAIR Plan expects before an application [S:ca-fair-plan-how-to-apply]", "Whether a Difference in Conditions policy is in place alongside any FAIR Plan cover [S:cdi-fair-plan]" ], "stateVariations": [ { "state": "CA", "note": "Every provision here is Californian. The moratorium mechanism in section 675.1, the 45 and 75 day notice periods in section 678, and the FAIR Plan's structure as an insurer of last resort are state law and state institutions. The regulator has also finalised a wildfire catastrophe modelling regulation permitting forward-looking models, and states that homeowners insurers must increase writing in wildfire distressed areas to no less than 85 percent of their statewide share." } ], "effectiveDate": "2026-09-06", "lastReviewed": "2026-09-06", "author": "Aaron Bollinger", "reviewer": "Brian Bollinger", "sourceIds": [ "ca-ins-code-675-1", "ca-ins-code-678", "ca-ins-code-675", "cdi-moratorium", "cdi-fair-plan", "cdi-cat-model-2024", "ca-fair-plan-how-to-apply", "ca-fair-plan-policies", "cfp-dwelling-property-policy-form", "ca-ins-code-10091" ], "sources": [ { "id": "ca-ins-code-675-1", "title": "California Insurance Code Section 675.1 (post-disaster cancellation and nonrenewal limits for residential property insurance)", "publisher": "California Legislative Information, Office of Legislative Counsel", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS§ionNum=675.1", "sourceType": "statute", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "primary-law", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "unknown", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Amended by legislation, and the operative facts change with each emergency proclamation; re-check leginfo and the current CDI moratorium ZIP code lists before each publication cycle.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "California Insurance Code Section 675.1 provides that an insurer shall not cancel or refuse to renew a policy of residential property insurance for a property located in any ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency, based solely on the fact that the insured structure is located in an area in which a wildfire has occurred.", "Where a total loss to the primary insured residence results from a disaster as defined in subdivision (b) of Civil Code Section 1689.14 and was not caused by the policyholder's negligence, Section 675.1 requires the insurer to offer renewal for at least the next two annual renewal periods, but no less than 24 months of coverage from the date of the loss.", "Section 675.1 requires insurers, following a total loss to the primary insured residence, to adjust coverage limits, issue additional policies, or attach endorsements reflecting changes in exposure, and bars cancellation during rebuilding except for specified statutory reasons or based solely on the damaged condition of the property.", "The Section 675.1 protections do not apply where the named insured commits willful or grossly negligent acts or omissions materially increasing any of the risks insured against, where unrelated losses render the risk ineligible, or where physical or risk changes make the property uninsurable.", "The page carries the note 'Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 618, Sec. 1.5. (SB 894) Effective January 1, 2019.'", "Section 675.1(b)(2) provides that the fire perimeter is determined by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in consultation with the Office of Emergency Services, that the department provides the commissioner with perimeter data, and that the commissioner then issues a bulletin to inform insurers which ZIP Codes are subject to the subdivision.", "Section 675.1(d) provides that for purposes of the section, policy of residential property insurance has the meaning described in subdivision (a) of Section 10087." ] }, { "id": "ca-ins-code-678", "title": "California Insurance Code Section 678 (offer of renewal or notice of nonrenewal)", "publisher": "California Legislative Information, Office of Legislative Counsel", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS§ionNum=678", "sourceType": "statute", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "primary-law", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "unknown", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Amended by legislation; re-check leginfo before each publication cycle.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "California Insurance Code Section 678(a) requires an insurer, at least 45 days before the policy expiration, to deliver to the named insured or mail to the named insured at the address shown in the policy either an offer of renewal of the policy contingent upon payment of premium as stated in the offer, or a notice of nonrenewal.", "The renewal offer under Section 678 must state the premium and must disclose any reduction of limits or elimination of coverage.", "Section 678(b) provides that if the insurer fails to give the required notice, the existing policy, with no change in its terms and conditions, remains in effect for 45 days from the date the offer to renew or the notice of nonrenewal is delivered or mailed.", "For policies expiring on or after July 1, 2020, Section 678(c) requires the notice of nonrenewal to be delivered or mailed at least 75 days before the policy expiration, with a corresponding 75-day continuation of the existing policy if the notice is not timely given.", "The page carries the note '(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 424, Sec. 8. (SB 1242) Effective January 1, 2023.)'", "Section 678 requires that a notice of nonrenewal contain the specific reason or reasons for the nonrenewal." ] }, { "id": "ca-ins-code-675", "title": "California Insurance Code Section 675 (application of the article on cancellation and nonrenewal)", "publisher": "California Legislative Information, Office of Legislative Counsel", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS§ionNum=675.", "sourceType": "statute", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "primary-law", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Amended by legislation; re-check leginfo before each publication cycle.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "California Insurance Code Section 675(a) applies the article to policies of insurance, other than automobile insurance and workers' compensation insurance, on risks located or resident in this state, covering damage to residential property of not more than four dwelling units, personal property within such residences, and personal liability.", "Section 675 excludes automobile insurance and workers' compensation insurance from the article's scope.", "Section 675(a)(3) does not reach policies primarily insuring risks arising from the conduct of a commercial or industrial enterprise." ] }, { "id": "cdi-moratorium", "title": "Mandatory One Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals (consumer page)", "publisher": "California Department of Insurance", "url": "https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/MandatoryOneYearMoratoriumNonRenewals.cfm", "sourceType": "regulator-guidance", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "regulator", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Updated by the Department as new wildfire emergencies are declared and new moratorium bulletins are issued.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The Department of Insurance states that the one year moratorium on insurance cancellations and non-renewals is authorized under California Insurance Code section 675.1.", "The Department states that the protection from cancellation or non-renewal lasts for one year from the date of the Governor's emergency declaration.", "The Department states that this one year protection applies to all residential policyholders within the affected areas who suffer less than a total loss, including those who suffer no loss.", "The Department states that it coordinates with CAL FIRE and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services to identify wildfire perimeters and adjacent ZIP Codes within the mandatory moratorium areas.", "The page describes residential property insurance policies and does not describe commercial policies." ] }, { "id": "cdi-fair-plan", "title": "California FAIR Plan (consumer information page)", "publisher": "California Department of Insurance", "url": "https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/200-wrr/California-FAIR-Plan.cfm", "sourceType": "regulator-guidance", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "regulator", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Updated by the Department as FAIR Plan products and orders change; the comprehensive policy status in particular should be re-checked.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The Department of Insurance states that the FAIR Plan is available to California residents and businesses in urban and rural areas who cannot obtain insurance through a regular insurance company.", "The page refers to the FAIR Plan's current residential offering as the current limited fire policy.", "The page states that policyholders who want coverage for water damage, liability, theft, additional living expenses, and other common coverages should visit the Difference in Conditions web page and contact the insurance companies listed.", "The page states that the comprehensive residential policy option is currently in progress, and that when completed policyholders will be able to obtain those coverages without having to purchase a separate Difference in Conditions policy." ] }, { "id": "cdi-cat-model-2024", "title": "Commissioner Lara issues landmark regulation to expand insurance access for Californians amid growing climate risks (Release 065-2024)", "publisher": "California Department of Insurance", "url": "https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/2024/release065-2024.cfm", "sourceType": "regulator-guidance", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "regulator", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Re-verify against the adopted regulation text and any subsequent amendments.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The Department states that Commissioner Lara announced on December 13, 2024 that he had finalized a wildfire catastrophe modeling regulation, which permits the use of forward-looking catastrophe models in ratemaking.", "The Department states that all homeowners insurance companies must increase the writing of comprehensive policies in wildfire distressed areas equivalent to no less than 85 percent of their statewide market share.", "The Department describes the net cost of reinsurance in ratemaking regulation announced in this December 30, 2024 release as the final major element of the reform package, and uses the phrase Sustainable Insurance Strategy for the overall effort." ] }, { "id": "ca-fair-plan-how-to-apply", "title": "How to Apply - The California FAIR Plan", "publisher": "California FAIR Plan Association", "url": "https://www.cfpnet.com/how-to-apply/", "sourceType": "official-documentation", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "carrier-official", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Re-verify when the Plan revises its application process.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The California FAIR Plan states that insurance agents and brokers may have access to property insurers other than the California FAIR Plan.", "The California FAIR Plan states that the applicant's broker will perform a diligent search for comprehensive coverage in the traditional insurance market.", "The California FAIR Plan states that if coverage is not available with another company, the broker can help the applicant determine if the California FAIR Plan is available as a temporary solution.", "The California FAIR Plan states that if coverage is available in the traditional marketplace, the California FAIR Plan is not right for the applicant.", "The How to Apply page repeats the Plan's description of itself as an insurer of last resort, established by statute to provide basic property insurance to Californians statewide when no other option is reasonably available." ] }, { "id": "ca-fair-plan-policies", "title": "Policies - The California FAIR Plan", "publisher": "California FAIR Plan Association", "url": "https://www.cfpnet.com/policies/", "sourceType": "official-documentation", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "carrier-official", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Programs change; re-verify at least quarterly.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The California FAIR Plan Policies page describes its Dwelling program as coverage for owner or tenant occupied dwellings with up to 4 family units and personal property for renters and condo owners.", "The Policies page describes its Commercial program as business owned buildings including habitational units, retail mercantile, manufacturing risks, farms, wineries, and office buildings, and individual owned habitational buildings with 5 or more units.", "The Policies page describes Earthquake coverage for individually owned residential properties and personal property of tenants and condo owners through the California Earthquake Authority.", "The Policies page states, with respect to Difference in Conditions and Flood coverage, that the California FAIR Plan does not offer these coverages." ] }, { "id": "cfp-dwelling-property-policy-form", "title": "Sample Dwelling Property Policy, Form CFP 00 01 (05/2026)", "publisher": "California FAIR Plan Association", "url": "https://www.cfpnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Dwelling-Fire-Policy_effective-3-17-26.pdf", "sourceType": "policy-form", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "carrier-official", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "unknown", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "The FAIR Plan revises and refiles its forms periodically; this edition is designated 05/2026 and is published on the FAIR Plan site as the dwelling fire policy effective 3-17-26.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "The document is headed 'SAMPLE DWELLING PROPERTY POLICY' under the California FAIR Plan Association masthead, runs 17 pages, and every page footer reads 'CFP 00 01 (05/2026) Includes copyrighted material of Insurance Services Office, Inc., with its permission.'", "General Exclusion 2 reads: 'Earth Movement, meaning earthquake, including land shock waves or tremors before, during or after a volcanic eruption; landslide; mine subsidence; mudflow; earth sinking, rising or shifting; unless direct loss by: a. fire; or b. explosion; ensues and then we will pay only for the ensuing loss.'", "General Exclusion 3 reads: 'Water Damage, meaning: a. flood, surface water, waves, tidal water, overflow of a body of water, or spray from any of these, whether or not driven by wind; b. water which backs up through sewers or drains or which overflows from a sump; or c. water below the surface of the ground, including water which exerts pressure on or seeps or leaks through a building, sidewalk, driveway, foundation, swimming pool or other structure.' It then states: 'Direct loss by fire or explosion resulting from water damage is covered.'", "Peril Insured Against 9 reads: 'Volcanic Eruption other than loss caused by earthquake, land shock waves or tremors.'", "This is a dwelling fire form published by the California FAIR Plan Association, not a homeowners form and not a private carrier's filed homeowners form." ] }, { "id": "ca-ins-code-10091", "title": "California Insurance Code Section 10091 (basic property insurance definitions; FAIR Plan Association)", "publisher": "California Legislative Counsel (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=INS§ionNum=10091", "sourceType": "statute", "jurisdiction": "CA", "authorityLevel": "primary-law", "primary": true, "publishedDate": "unknown", "effectiveDate": "n/a", "accessedDate": "2026-08-31", "lastChecked": "2026-08-31", "updateCadence": "Amended only by legislation.", "status": "active", "supportsClaims": [ "California Insurance Code section 10091(a) defines 'Association,' 'industry placement facility,' or 'facility' to mean a joint reinsurance association, the California FAIR Plan Association, formed by insurers licensed to write and engaged in writing basic property insurance within the state to assist persons in securing basic property insurance and to formulate and administer a program for the equitable apportionment among insurers of basic property insurance." ] } ] }