What to Do If Your Homeowners Insurance Was Non-Renewed
If you recently received a non-renewal notice from Safeco or Liberty Mutual, you’re not alone.
Over the past few years, many California homeowners have received notices that their homeowners insurance policy will not be renewed. This has left thousands of families wondering:
- Why was my policy non-renewed?
- Can I still get homeowners insurance?
- Do I have to buy the California FAIR Plan?
- Are there other insurance companies still writing homes in California?
At Starwest Insurance Services, we’ve helped California homeowners navigate these situations since 1995. We compare multiple insurance companies—including admitted carriers, surplus lines carriers, and the California FAIR Plan—to help you find the best available coverage for your home.
Why Are Safeco and Liberty Mutual Non-Renewing California Homes?
Many insurers, including Safeco and Liberty Mutual, have adjusted their California homeowners insurance business in recent years because of factors such as:
- Increased wildfire losses
- Rising construction and rebuilding costs
- Inflation
- Reinsurance costs
- Greater catastrophe exposure
- Changing underwriting strategies
In many cases, these non-renewals are part of broader business decisions and are not necessarily related to anything you did wrong as a homeowner.
A Non-Renewal Doesn’t Mean You’re Uninsurable
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a non-renewal means no one else will insure your home.
That simply isn’t true.
Every insurance company has different underwriting guidelines.
One company may decline a property while another may offer excellent coverage.
That’s why it’s important to work with an independent insurance agency that can compare multiple companies—not just one.
We Compare Multiple Insurance Companies
Before recommending the California FAIR Plan, we first look for coverage through other available markets.
Depending on your home and eligibility, we may be able to quote with companies such as:
- Mercury
- Bamboo
- Aegis
- Foremost
- Stillwater
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- Specialty surplus lines carriers
- California FAIR Plan with a companion DIC policy
Every home is unique, and the best solution depends on your property’s location, age, condition, claims history, and wildfire exposure.
When Is the California FAIR Plan Needed?
If traditional homeowners insurance isn’t available, the California FAIR Plan may be the next best option.
The FAIR Plan provides basic protection for covered fire-related risks, but it is not a complete homeowners insurance policy.
Most homeowners also need a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to add important coverages that the FAIR Plan doesn’t provide.
Why Is a DIC Policy So Important?
Many homeowners focus only on the FAIR Plan because it’s required to insure the structure against certain fire-related losses.
However, a DIC policy often provides protection for many of the claims homeowners are more likely to experience, including:
- Water damage from plumbing leaks
- Wind damage
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Personal liability
- Medical payments
- Additional living expenses
- Personal property coverage
For many homeowners, the DIC policy becomes just as important as the FAIR Plan because it fills major coverage gaps.
Learn more:
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/california-fair-plan-difference-in-conditions-dic-insurance-explained/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/what-does-the-california-fair-plan-cover-a-homeowners-guide-for-2026/
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Most non-renewal notices provide advance notice before your policy expires.
Use that time wisely.
Starting the shopping process early gives you more time to:
- Compare multiple insurance companies
- Complete inspections if required
- Gather property information
- Review replacement cost estimates
- Avoid a lapse in coverage
What Information Will We Need?
To provide the most accurate quote, we’ll typically ask for:
- Your current declarations page
- The non-renewal notice
- Property address
- Year built
- Square footage
- Roof age
- Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC updates
- Claims history
- Photos (if requested)
Having this information ready helps us shop your home more efficiently.
Homes We Commonly Help Insure
We assist with:
- Primary residences
- Rental properties
- Vacation homes
- Condominiums
- Townhomes
- High-value homes
- Older homes
- Homes in wildfire-prone areas
- Homes owned by LLCs
- Homes held in family trusts
Why Choose Starwest Insurance Services?
Since 1995, we’ve specialized in finding solutions for California homeowners facing difficult insurance situations.
Why homeowners choose us:
- ✔ No Broker Fees Since 1995
- ✔ Independent Insurance Agency
- ✔ Compare Multiple Insurance Companies
- ✔ California FAIR Plan Specialists
- ✔ DIC Policy Specialists
- ✔ Experienced Home Insurance Advisors
- ✔ Personalized Coverage Reviews
- ✔ Local California Experts
We Serve Homeowners Throughout California
Including:
- Orange County
- Los Angeles County
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
- San Diego County
- Ventura County
- Santa Barbara County
- Sacramento
- Bay Area
- Central Valley
- Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was my policy non-renewed if I’ve never had a claim?
Many California non-renewals are based on company underwriting decisions, geographic risk, wildfire exposure, or portfolio changes—not necessarily your individual claims history.
Can I stay with Safeco or Liberty Mutual?
If you’ve received a non-renewal notice, you’ll generally need to obtain coverage with another insurer once your current policy expires.
Can I avoid the FAIR Plan?
Possibly.
Many homeowners still qualify for admitted or surplus lines coverage. We always explore available alternatives before recommending the FAIR Plan.
Will my mortgage company accept the FAIR Plan?
Yes. In many cases, lenders accept a California FAIR Plan policy when it’s paired with an appropriate Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to provide broader homeowners coverage. Be sure to confirm any lender-specific requirements.
Helpful California Home Insurance Resources
Continue learning with these articles from Starwest Insurance Services:
California FAIR Plan
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/the-california-fair-plan-in-orange-county-ca/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/california-fair-plan-difference-in-conditions-dic-insurance-explained/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/what-does-the-california-fair-plan-cover-a-homeowners-guide-for-2026/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/riverside-fair-plan-specialist/
Homeowners Insurance
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/homeowners-insurance/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/condo-insurance-ho6/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/landlord-insurance/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/earthquake-insurance/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/flood-insurance/
California Non-Renewals
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/help-i-got-a-home-insurance-non-renewal/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/riverside-home-insurance-emergency-how-to-secure-your-escrow-without-panic/
- https://www.starwestinsurance.com/good-news-for-california-homeowners-fair-plan-alternatives-may-be-available-again/
Request a Quote
These internal links help visitors find additional resources while strengthening your website’s topical authority for California homeowners insurance.
Need Help After a Safeco or Liberty Mutual Non-Renewal?
If you’ve received a non-renewal notice, don’t wait until your policy expires.
Our team will review your current coverage, compare multiple insurance companies, and explain all available options—including admitted carriers, surplus lines carriers, and the California FAIR Plan when appropriate.
Contact Starwest Insurance Services
James C.Q. Banh
Starwest Insurance Services
📍 13752 Goldenwest St.
Westminster, CA 92683
☎️ Office: (714) 893-7271
📱 Cell: (714) 231-0897
🌐 https://www.starwestinsurance.com