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What changed in the California FAIR Plan dwelling rate for 2026?

Published 2026-10-02 by Insurance City Agency, LLC, CA License #6003045. Reviewed by Santo Militello, California-licensed Property & Casualty agent (CA License #1737723).

The California Department of Insurance approved a 29.1 percent average rate change for the FAIR Plan dwelling fire program. File 25-2174 requested 35.6 percent and was closed approved on April 6, 2026. That percentage is a statewide average, not your renewal. The Department's public list does not print an effective date. The Orange County Register reported on May 20, 2026 that the increase starts October 15, 2026. Before that renewal, check whether you qualify for one admitted policy. Call (209) 670-1556. Stockton: 956 W Robinhood Dr. San Jose: 25 N 14th St Ste 125.

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What did the Department of Insurance approve?

It approved a 29.1 percent average change on the FAIR Plan dwelling fire program, file 25-2174, after a request of 35.6 percent. The filing is personal lines, fire and allied lines, program name “dwelling fire,” filing type “rate,” status approved, closed April 6, 2026, SERFF number MOCC-134657692. Those fields are in the Department's year-to-date closed list through August 31, 2026.

A second FAIR Plan file closed the same day, 25-2455, for dwelling fire and allied lines, at a 0 percent approved change. Do not mix that file with 25-2174. The 29.1 percent figure belongs to the dwelling fire rate filing only. The list is posted from the Department's rate filing approvals page. The workbook itself is the closed list through Aug. 31, 2026.

When does the new rate take effect, and does it apply at renewal?

The closed-filing list does not show an effective date for file 25-2174. The Orange County Register, on May 20, 2026, reported that the FAIR Plan is raising rates 29.1 percent starting October 15, 2026. Treat October 15, 2026 as the date the Register reported, and treat your renewal offer as the date that applies to your policy.

Look at the renewal that falls on or after that reported start. That is the bill this filing is aimed at. The Department's spreadsheet does not say the change rewrites a term you have already paid. A FAIR Plan spokeswoman told the Register that not every customer will see a premium rise of that amount. She said the largest piece of the change is the wildfire portion, so a higher wildfire risk can see a larger increase, and some policyholders will see a decrease. Your percentage is on the renewal, not in the statewide average.

What should I do 30 to 45 days before renewal?

Start the admitted-market check 30 to 45 days before the renewal date so there is time to bind a replacement before the FAIR Plan renewal, if a replacement exists. Thirty to 45 days is Insurance City's timing advice. It is not a deadline in the Insurance Code.

  1. Find the FAIR Plan declarations and the DIC declarations. Write down both expiration dates and the dwelling limit.
  2. Call (209) 670-1556 or use the quote button on this page. Ask us to check whether you qualify for one admitted policy.
  3. If a carrier offers a policy, bind it with an effective date that overlaps the FAIR Plan. Do not cancel the FAIR Plan first. The overlap is how you avoid a gap.
  4. If nothing admitted is offered, let the FAIR Plan renew and read the new bill against the DIC. The FAIR Plan remains a lawful market for basic fire coverage.

The comparison of FAIR Plan plus DIC with one admitted policy, the carriers we are appointed with, and the county policy counts are on California FAIR Plan alternatives. A rental property uses the landlord DP-3 guide and the landlord insurance page, not this homeowners note. The step-by-step document list lives on Via Rapida's leave the FAIR Plan post.

Does every FAIR Plan policyholder get the same percentage?

No. The 29.1 percent figure is the approved statewide average for the dwelling fire program. The FAIR Plan told the Orange County Register that the result varies, and that some customers will see a decrease. File 25-2455, closed the same day at 0 percent, is a different program. Read the notice that comes with your renewal.

Frequently asked questions

What rate change did CDI approve for the FAIR Plan?

File 25-2174 is a dwelling-fire rate filing for the California FAIR Plan. The Department of Insurance closed it approved on April 6, 2026. The requested change was 35.6 percent. The approved change was 29.1 percent. That is a statewide average for the dwelling fire program, not a flat change on every policy.

When does the 2026 FAIR Plan rate change start?

The Department's public closed-filing list does not print an effective date for file 25-2174. The Orange County Register reported on May 20, 2026 that the FAIR Plan is raising rates 29.1 percent starting October 15, 2026. Use the renewal offer as the document that shows your date and your percentage.

Does the new rate apply in the middle of my current term?

Read the renewal. The Register reported a start of October 15, 2026. A term that renews on or after that reported date is the bill to review. The CDI spreadsheet does not say the change rewrites a term that is already in force. Confirm the date on the renewal offer before you cancel anything.

Will my premium go up 29.1 percent?

Not necessarily. 29.1 percent is the approved statewide average for dwelling fire. A FAIR Plan spokeswoman told the Orange County Register that not every customer will see a premium rise of that amount, that the wildfire portion drives the change, and that some policyholders will see a decrease.

What should I do 30 to 45 days before renewal?

Pull the FAIR Plan and DIC declarations, note the renewal date, and ask Insurance City to check whether you qualify for one admitted policy. If a carrier offers one, bind it so the effective date overlaps the FAIR Plan before you cancel. The alternatives page explains that check. Thirty to 45 days is our timing advice, not a statute.

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Reviewed by Santo Militello, California-licensed Property & Casualty agent (CA License #1737723) and owner of Via Rapida Services — CA Insurance License #6003045. Our licensed team brings more than 70 years of combined insurance experience. Phone (209) 670-1556. Insurance City, 956 W Robinhood Dr, Stockton, CA 95207. San Jose office: 25 N 14th St Ste 125. No broker fees on standard policies (Stockton and San Jose offices). Last reviewed 2026-10-02.

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