By StarWest Insurance Services | September 2026
If your California home is insured through the FAIR Plan, now is a good time to shop again. An approved 29.1% average increase in FAIR Plan dwelling rates is scheduled to take effect October 15, 2026, for new and renewing policies. That is an average, not the increase every homeowner will receive. Your actual premium depends on your property, location, coverage, and renewal date.
We call our search for another option the CA FAIR Plan Buster: a fresh look at whether a private homeowners policy can provide the coverage you need at a competitive total price.
Why compare your coverage now?
The FAIR Plan provides basic property coverage for homeowners who have trouble finding insurance in the private market. It does not provide personal liability coverage, so many homeowners buy a separate Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to fill important gaps. When you compare prices, add the FAIR Plan premium and the DIC premium.
For example, a FAIR Plan premium of $4,000 would rise by $1,164 if that individual policy increased by exactly 29.1%. The actual change could be higher or lower, and the separate DIC premium may also change.
What could replace FAIR Plan plus DIC?
Depending on your home and underwriting eligibility, an alternative may be a homeowners policy from an admitted insurer or a surplus lines (E&S) insurer. Some private policies can combine fire, wildfire, property, loss of use, and liability coverage in one policy. Coverage, limits, deductibles, and exclusions vary by insurer.
StarWest can compare an available private policy against your current FAIR Plan and DIC arrangement. We look beyond the annual premium:
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Total annual cost | Include both FAIR Plan and DIC premiums when comparing with a single policy. |
| Dwelling and extended replacement cost limits | Check whether the limits reflect today’s rebuilding costs. |
| Wildfire deductible | A percentage deductible can mean a substantial out-of-pocket expense. |
| Water, roof, and mold terms | These coverages may have separate limits or restrictions. |
| Personal property and loss of use | Confirm how belongings and temporary housing would be covered. |
| Liability coverage | The FAIR Plan alone does not provide it. |
| Insurer status | An E&S policy has different California protections from an admitted policy. |
Is an E&S homeowners policy a legitimate option?
Yes. California’s Department of Insurance recognizes the surplus lines market as an option when homeowners have difficulty obtaining the coverage they want. E&S insurers can cover some properties that standard insurers decline. They are non-admitted insurers, and their policies are not backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association. We explain that distinction and review the actual policy terms before a client decides.
A private policy is not automatically cheaper or better for every home. In some cases, FAIR Plan plus a well-matched DIC policy remains the best available choice. The goal is to compare real quotes with appropriate limits and understand what each option covers.
What should you do before October 15?
Send us your current FAIR Plan declarations page, DIC declarations page, and renewal offers. We’ll review the combined cost and coverage, check available private markets for your address, and show you the meaningful differences.
Do not cancel existing coverage until replacement coverage is approved, issued, and effective. A quote may change after underwriting review.
Request your CA FAIR Plan Buster review
StarWest Insurance Services has helped California homeowners shop for coverage since 1995. If you live in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, or elsewhere in California, contact us to review your options before your next renewal.
Send us your current policies and ask for a CA FAIR Plan Buster comparison.
Insurance availability, pricing, and coverage are subject to underwriting and policy terms. The 29.1% FAIR Plan figure is a statewide average for the approved dwelling rate change, not a prediction of an individual policy’s increase.