Research findings

What we are learning so far

Updated June 2026

This page summarizes early themes from homeowner submissions to the California Fire Insurance Project. Findings are anonymized and aggregated. As more stories come in, we will update this page.

Themes we are hearing

• Non-renewals often arrive with little warning

  Many homeowners report learning about a non-renewal close to their renewal date, with limited time to shop or understand alternatives.

• FAIR Plan is becoming a default path

  Homeowners in wildfire-affected areas describe being steered toward the FAIR Plan when standard-market carriers decline or withdraw.

• DIC and wrap coverage add confusion

  Even after FAIR Plan placement, homeowners often struggle to understand whether they need separate difference-in-conditions coverage and how to find it.

• Premium increases are reshaping household budgets

  Renewals that remain available sometimes come with large premium jumps, pushing homeowners to reduce coverage or reconsider property plans.

• Real estate and lending get pulled in

  Insurance problems are showing up during home purchases, refinances, and escrow, not just at annual renewal.

Questions we are still exploring

• Which counties and zip codes are seeing the most non-renewals?
• How often are mitigation steps helping homeowners regain standard-market options?
• What coverage limits are homeowners accepting when premiums rise?
• Where are lender and escrow requirements creating additional friction?

These observations reflect homeowner-reported experiences, not verified carrier or regulatory data. We share them to document what people are facing while the research continues.