How Do I Get Home Insurance When Buying in California?
First-Time Buyer Guide — California Insurance

How Do I Get Home Insurance When Buying a House in California?

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Getting home insurance when buying a house in California means choosing between admitted-market carriers (Mercury, Farmers, AAA/CSAA) that are actively writing policies under the state's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, or the California FAIR Plan as the safety net when those carriers decline your property. The FAIR Plan enrolled 668,600 policies by end-2025 (NAR, 2026), and always requires a wraparound liability policy before a lender will fund. Begin shopping 30 to 60 days before closing; your lender needs proof of insurance 3 to 10 days before the closing date.

668K FAIR Plan Policies Statewide (2025)
44% FAIR Plan Enrollment Growth in One Year
$3M FAIR Plan Max Dwelling Coverage (Jan 2026)
30-60 Days to Start Shopping Before Closing

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California Insurance Crisis

Why Is Home Insurance So Hard to Get in California?

The California homeowners insurance market has undergone a structural contraction beginning in 2022 and intensified by the January 2026 Los Angeles wildfires. Two of the state's largest carriers stopped writing new residential policies: State Farm paused new homeowners coverage in 2023 and continues targeted nonrenewals, while Allstate halted new homeowners business in late 2022 and had not re-entered the admitted market as of July 2026. The National Association of REALTORS has documented how California's insurance withdrawal creates compounding obstacles for first-time buyers who are already stretched by purchase prices (NAR, 2026). Buyers who would have had multiple insurance options five years ago now compete for coverage from a significantly smaller pool of admitted carriers.

The January 2026 Palisades and Eaton fires generated an estimated $25 to $45 billion in insured damages and pushed approximately $4 billion in losses to the California FAIR Plan alone, forcing a $1 billion assessment on all member insurers and triggering a proposed 35.8% rate increase (LA County Emergency Management, 2026). For Los Angeles County buyers, the market contracted in two ways: carriers already writing policies added wildfire exclusions or tightened ZIP-code underwriting, and the FAIR Plan — California's insurer of last resort — absorbed so many new enrollees that its rate and financial structure became a policy emergency (LA County, 2026).

"The question for most Los Angeles buyers is no longer whether to get insurance. It's which path to coverage is actually open to them before closing day."

Justin Borges, REALTOR — DRE #01940318

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), launched in September 2023 and refined through 2025 and 2026, created a new regulatory framework allowing carriers to use forward-looking catastrophe models rather than historical fire data alone. In exchange, SIS carriers must write policies covering 85% of their statewide market share in wildfire-distressed areas and must consider Safer From Wildfire mitigation credits in their pricing. The California Association of REALTORS has documented how the SIS framework is changing which properties remain financeable in Los Angeles County (C.A.R., 2026). Mercury Insurance, AAA/CSAA, Farmers, and Travelers are among the carriers currently writing new policies in Southern California under SIS approvals issued December 2025 through April 2026.

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Admitted Market Carriers

Which California Home Insurance Carriers Are Still Writing in Los Angeles?

As of July 2026, several admitted-market carriers are actively writing new homeowners policies in Southern California, though each applies ZIP-level underwriting that can result in denial even for moderate-risk properties. An admitted carrier is licensed and regulated by the California Department of Insurance, meaning its rates and policy forms are approved by the state and policyholders have access to the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) if the carrier becomes insolvent.

Carrier Status (July 2026) Notes for LA County Buyers
AAA / CSAA Insurance Active under SIS Never paused new business; SIS rate approval December 2025; among the most accessible large admitted carriers in SoCal
Mercury Insurance Active under SIS Third-largest California carrier; first SIS approval December 2025; committed to 38,000+ new policies statewide (California DOI, 2025)
Farmers Insurance Active under SIS Removed monthly cap on new business November 2025; SIS approval May 2026; more active than in 2024
Travelers Growing under SIS Announced April 2026 California expansion; first major top-10 carrier re-entry post-fires (California DOI, 2026)
Nationwide Standard Limited Standard homeowners line writes in many CA counties; ZIP-level underwriting with brush restrictions; high-value home division paused
State Farm Not writing new policies Paused new homeowners policies in 2023; no re-entry timeline as of July 2026
Allstate Not writing new policies Paused new homeowners business in late 2022; no SIS filing as of July 2026

Shopping the admitted market first is the preferred approach for most Los Angeles County buyers. Admitted-market coverage typically costs $1,800 to $2,400 per year for a moderate-risk home in the Los Angeles flatlands with a dwelling value around $800,000. HUD-backed mortgage programs require lenders to confirm insurance adequacy before funding, and the Los Angeles flatlands represent the segment of the market where this process moves most smoothly (HUD, 2026). For a property in the foothills or a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, admitted-market premiums for a $1.2 million home run $3,500 to $5,500 per year if a carrier will write the policy at all. The Sustainable Insurance Strategy requires SIS carriers to offer policies in wildfire-distressed areas, but it does not prevent denials for individual high-risk properties.

Admitted-Market Premium Examples — Los Angeles County 2026

LA flatland home, $800K dwelling, moderate risk$1,800–$2,400/yr
Pasadena foothills home, $1.2M dwelling, elevated risk$3,500–$5,500/yr
Very High FHSZ (Altadena / Pacific Palisades), $1.2MLikely denied; FAIR Plan required

Source: InsuranceQuotes 2026; Latent Insurance 2026. Individual quotes will vary based on carrier, deductible, and property-specific risk factors. These figures are 2026 market estimates, not guarantees.

The Safer From Wildfire program, administered by the California DOI, provides documented discounts of 5 to 15% with SIS carriers for homeowners who have installed ember-resistant vents, maintained defensible space, replaced wood shake roofing, or installed double-pane windows (California DOI, 2026). When evaluating a property, ask the seller whether any Safer From Wildfire improvements have been documented; a seller disclosure showing a Class A roof and cleared perimeter can meaningfully reduce your annual premium with carriers like Mercury, Farmers, and AAA/CSAA.

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California FAIR Plan

What Is the California FAIR Plan and When Do Los Angeles Buyers Use It?

The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort for residential and commercial property owners who cannot obtain coverage in the private admitted market. Structured as a pool of all admitted property and casualty insurers licensed in California, the FAIR Plan is not a conventional insurance company — it is a shared-market mechanism that distributes risk across the industry. Enrollment surged from roughly 464,000 policies in fall 2024 to 668,600 by end-2025, a 44% increase in twelve months (California FAIR Plan, 2026).

The FAIR Plan's coverage is intentionally narrow. As of January 2026, the plan covers four perils only: fire, lightning, internal explosions, and smoke. Maximum dwelling coverage is $3 million per structure as of the January 2026 legislative expansion, up from prior lower limits. The plan does not provide liability coverage, theft coverage, water damage protection (except direct fire-related losses), additional living expenses, or equipment breakdown coverage. Every Los Angeles buyer placed on the FAIR Plan must add a Difference in Conditions (DIC) wraparound policy to meet lender requirements for liability, because no California mortgage lender will close without minimum $100,000 in liability coverage on the property.

FAIR Plan Coverage at a Glance (January 2026)

Fire, lightning, internal explosions, smokeCovered
Liability (third-party bodily injury / property damage)NOT covered — wraparound required
TheftNOT covered
Water damage (non-fire source)NOT covered
Additional living expensesNOT covered
Maximum dwelling coverage per structure$3,000,000

Source: California FAIR Plan official documentation (cfpnet.com, 2026). DIC wraparound adds liability, theft, water damage, and additional living expenses.

Buyers are eligible to apply for the FAIR Plan if they receive a denial from an admitted-market carrier after July 1, 2025, where the stated reason involves fire risk, wildfire exposure, or location in a high fire hazard severity zone. Denial solely based on credit score, prior claims history, or deferred maintenance does not qualify a property for FAIR Plan eligibility. Applications can be filed directly through a licensed FAIR Plan broker (finder available at cfpnet.com) or by calling the FAIR Plan directly at 800-339-4099. Standard decisions arrive within 30 to 60 days of a complete application — a timeline that matters significantly when California escrow periods run 30 to 45 days.

The wraparound DIC policy required alongside a FAIR Plan policy costs $1,800 to $3,400 per year depending on the desired liability limit ($100,000 to $1 million), personal property coverage, and the home's fire-risk classification (Latent Insurance, 2026). Combined FAIR Plan plus wraparound annual cost runs $4,300 to $5,700 for a moderate-risk $800,000 home, and $6,700 to $9,400 for a high-risk $1.2 million property in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone like Altadena or Pacific Palisades (Coverage Cat, 2026). The FAIR Plan proposed a 35.8% rate increase for 2026 to recover from the January wildfire losses, though regulatory approval was pending as of July 2026.

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Insurance Options Comparison

Admitted Market vs. FAIR Plan vs. Surplus Lines: Cost and Coverage Compared for California Buyers

California homebuyers in 2026 face three primary insurance paths. The admitted market remains the best outcome when available, because coverage is comprehensive and premiums are regulated. The FAIR Plan with a wraparound policy is the required path when admitted-market carriers decline the property. Surplus lines coverage applies to high-value or uniquely high-risk properties in Very High FHSZ zones like Malibu or Topanga Canyon, where even the FAIR Plan's maximum coverage falls short of the dwelling replacement cost.

Option Coverage Scope Annual Cost (LA 2026) Liability Gap? Best For
Admitted Market
(Mercury, Farmers, AAA/CSAA, Travelers)
Comprehensive: dwelling, personal property, liability, theft, water damage, ALE $1,800–$5,500/yr depending on risk and dwelling value No gap — liability included Most LA County buyers in flatlands or moderate-risk zones
FAIR Plan + Wraparound (DIC) FAIR Plan: fire, lightning, explosion, smoke only. Wraparound adds: liability, theft, water, ALE $4,300–$9,400/yr combined (higher in Very High FHSZ) No gap when wraparound is in place; gap exists if wraparound is omitted Buyers in High or Very High FHSZ zones denied by admitted carriers
FAIR Plan Only (no wraparound) Fire, lightning, explosion, smoke only; no liability $2,500–$6,000/yr base YES — critical gap; lenders will not close without liability Not recommended for purchase transactions; requires wraparound to close
Surplus Lines (non-admitted) Custom; typically comprehensive at higher deductibles $10,000–$50,000+/yr Depends on policy; custom terms required Malibu, Pacific Palisades luxury, or high-value rebuilds where FAIR Plan ceiling is insufficient

The liability gap in a FAIR Plan-only policy is the reason most lenders refuse to fund a purchase without an accompanying wraparound policy. California mortgage lenders require a loss payee endorsement covering the lender's interest and minimum liability limits, neither of which the FAIR Plan provides. Buyers who receive a FAIR Plan approval must confirm both the FAIR Plan policy and the DIC wraparound activate on the same date — the closing date — or the lender will not wire funds.

Surplus lines insurers operate outside California DOI rate regulation, meaning they can price for catastrophic risk without the restrictions applied to admitted carriers. For high-value properties in Malibu (90265) or Topanga Canyon (90290), surplus lines brokers are often the only realistic path beyond the FAIR Plan. Buyers pursuing properties in these areas should engage a surplus lines broker at the same time as pursuing admitted-market quotes; the C.A.R. (California Association of REALTORS) recommends treating insurance contingency periods as seriously as financing contingency periods in any transaction involving these zones (C.A.R., 2026).

Wildfire Risk and Insurability

How Does Wildfire Risk Determine Insurance Availability in Los Angeles County?

Wildfire risk is now the primary underwriting variable for Los Angeles County homebuyers. CalFire's Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps, updated in 2025 following the 2024 CalFire remap, classify properties as Non-Wildland, Moderate, High, or Very High based on vegetation type, slope, historical fire patterns, and emergency response infrastructure. As of 2025, nearly 4 million Californians live in designated hazardous zones following the expanded FHSZ mapping (CalMatters, 2025). Insurance carriers now combine FHSZ classification with proprietary catastrophe models from Verisk Analytics, Karen Clark & Co., and Moody's to calculate individual property risk scores.

The FireLine score, developed by Verisk Analytics, rates individual properties on a 0 to 30 scale where higher scores indicate greater fire risk. Factors include vegetation density, slope gradient, access road width and type, distance to fire stations, and historical fire frequency. As of 2026, California policyholders have the right to request their property's wildfire risk score and a written explanation of which factors drive it, as well as documentation of mitigation steps that could reduce the score (California DOI, 2026). Buyers can request this information before making an offer, and doing so gives them real underwriting data before committing to a purchase.

Los Angeles County High-Risk Areas: FHSZ Status and Insurability (July 2026)

Altadena (ZIP 91001) — Very High FHSZ; Eaton fire damage 2026FAIR Plan typically only
Pacific Palisades (ZIP 90272) — Very High FHSZ; 85%+ nonrenewal rateFAIR Plan typically only
Malibu (ZIP 90265) — Very High FHSZ; luxury tierFAIR Plan + surplus lines
La Canada Flintridge (ZIP 91011) — Very High FHSZFAIR Plan or selective admitted; long underwriting
Sierra Madre (ZIP 91024) — Very High FHSZFAIR Plan or selective admitted carriers
Topanga Canyon (ZIP 90290) — Very High FHSZFAIR Plan typically only
Pasadena flatlands (ZIPs 91103–91106) — Low to Moderate riskAdmitted carriers available with elevated premiums

Sources: CalFire FHSZ maps (osfm.fire.ca.gov); Latent Insurance 2026; California DOI 2026. Insurability can change as carriers update ZIP-level underwriting; verify with your broker before offer.

Buyers considering foothill or canyon properties in Los Angeles County should check CalFire's FHSZ map at osfm.fire.ca.gov before writing an offer. A property in a Very High FHSZ zone should prompt immediate outreach to an independent insurance broker to confirm FAIR Plan eligibility and wraparound availability, because discovering coverage is unavailable after entering escrow creates closing risk. For properties in these zones where a seller has documented Safer From Wildfire improvements — ember-resistant barriers, a Class A roof, 100-foot defensible space clearance — buyers may still find admitted-market options with SIS carriers willing to write at elevated premiums, with mitigation credits of 5 to 15% applied at renewal (California DOI, 2026).

The January 2026 fires restructured the insurance landscape in specific ZIP codes. Pacific Palisades (90272) saw a nonrenewal rate exceeding 85% post-fire, meaning most existing policyholders could not renew with their prior carriers (Latent Insurance, 2026). Altadena (91001) faces near-identical conditions as Eaton fire rebuilds proceed, with most new construction initially placed on the FAIR Plan for 1 to 2 years before admitted carriers will underwrite post-rebuild structures. Buyers purchasing in these areas as rebuilds are completed should budget for FAIR Plan plus wraparound costs for at least the first 24 months of ownership. For context on what the buying process looks like in these high-demand areas, the First-Time Home Buyer Guide for Los Angeles 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of navigating the full purchase process from search to close.

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California Escrow Timeline

What Is the Insurance Timeline for Closing on a House in California?

California's typical escrow period runs 30 to 45 days from offer acceptance to closing. Within that window, mortgage lenders require proof of active homeowners insurance 3 to 10 business days before the scheduled closing date — a binder (temporary proof of coverage) is acceptable initially, with a full declarations page required by closing. FHA-backed loans follow the same insurance-before-funding rule, and FHA lenders in California now treat wildfire risk assessment as a standard underwriting step alongside the home appraisal (FHA, 2026). Given that underwriting in moderate-risk areas takes 15 to 30 days and underwriting in fire zones can take up to 60 days, buyers who wait until the middle of escrow to begin insurance shopping risk missing this deadline with no viable backup.

Day in Escrow Milestone Required Insurance Action
Day 0 Offer accepted Begin shopping: call independent broker, request quotes from Mercury, Farmers, AAA/CSAA
Days 1–5 Escrow opens; inspection period begins File formal applications with top 2 admitted-market carriers; file FAIR Plan backup application if property is in High or Very High FHSZ zone
Days 5–20 Underwriting period Respond promptly to carrier requests for property photos, inspection reports, or defensible space documentation
Days 20–25 Underwriting decision Receive approval or denial; request binder immediately upon approval; if denied, escalate FAIR Plan application
Days 25–30 Lender review Deliver binder to lender; lender counsel reviews declarations page, loss payee endorsement, and liability limits
Days 30–35 Final approval and closing Full policy effective as of closing date; premium paid at closing (typically 1 year prepaid); binder delivered to escrow officer

The CFPB's escrow account rules (12 CFR 1024.17) govern how lenders handle prepaid insurance collected at closing, requiring lenders to disclose insurance impound requirements in the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. Buyers should confirm with their lender whether insurance premiums will be escrowed monthly or paid annually, because this affects the cash-to-close calculation. First-time buyers in Los Angeles often underestimate the insurance contribution required at closing, particularly on FAIR Plan policies where combined FAIR Plan plus wraparound premiums are significantly higher than the LA average (CFPB, 2026).

"I tell every first-time buyer I work with: treat insurance like the home inspection. Start it on the day the offer is accepted, not the week before closing."

Justin Borges, REALTOR — DRE #01940318

Buyers who receive an admitted-market denial during escrow are not required to disclose the denial to the seller, but they must pivot immediately to a FAIR Plan application. A denial from two or more admitted carriers is sufficient to establish FAIR Plan eligibility, provided the reason cited is fire risk or location in a hazard zone. The FAIR Plan's 30 to 60 day decision window means a buyer who is denied in the third week of escrow may not receive FAIR Plan approval before the originally scheduled closing date; requesting a closing date extension through the REALTOR is often the cleaner path than trying to accelerate the FAIR Plan process.

Buyer Action Steps

How Do I Actually Secure Home Insurance Before Closing in California?

Securing homeowners insurance in California's 2026 market requires a structured approach that begins before the offer is made and continues through the closing day. The process has four distinct phases, and each phase has hard deadlines that affect whether the transaction can close on time.

Phase 1: Before Making an Offer

  • Check the target property's Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation at osfm.fire.ca.gov — identify whether it is Non-Wildland, Moderate, High, or Very High
  • Request a rough insurance estimate from one independent broker and one direct carrier (Mercury, Farmers, or AAA/CSAA) using the property address
  • Review any seller disclosures for documentation of Safer From Wildfire improvements: roof age and material, defensible space photos, ember-resistant vent records
  • Confirm the home's proximity to the nearest CalFire station and primary access road configuration (one-lane or dead-end roads increase FireLine score)

Phase 2: Offer Accepted Through Escrow Opening (Days 0–5)

  • File insurance applications with at minimum two admitted-market carriers on Day 0 or Day 1
  • For any property in a High or Very High FHSZ zone, file a concurrent FAIR Plan backup application at cfpnet.com or via a licensed FAIR Plan broker — do not wait for an admitted-market denial before starting this process
  • Ask each carrier about Safer From Wildfire discounts and which documented mitigation measures they credit
  • Confirm with your lender in writing what insurance documentation is required and by what deadline

Phase 3: Underwriting Period (Days 5–25)

  • Respond to all carrier requests within 48 hours — underwriting timelines pause when the carrier is waiting for information
  • If denied by the admitted market, immediately escalate to FAIR Plan and begin identifying wraparound DIC providers concurrently
  • Request the insurance binder the same day the carrier confirms approval — do not wait for the formal declarations page
  • Confirm with FAIR Plan broker that both the FAIR Plan policy and the wraparound DIC policy will activate on the same date (the closing date)

Phase 4: Final Approval Through Closing (Days 25–35)

  • Deliver the insurance binder to your lender at least 7 days before closing to allow lender counsel review time
  • Verify that the binder includes the lender as loss payee if the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%
  • Confirm cash-to-close includes the insurance premium prepayment (typically one full year due at closing)
  • Deliver original binder to escrow officer at the final walk-through; lender will not fund without this confirmation

For buyers using CalHFA down payment assistance programs, insurance requirements are layered with the CalHFA lender's own approval conditions. The guide to using a REALTOR with CalHFA Down Payment Assistance in Los Angeles covers how insurance deadlines interact with CalHFA's reservation and commitment windows. Buyers using the CalHFA Dream for All shared appreciation program in 2026 should note that down payment assistance approval timelines can compress the insurance shopping window further; see the CalHFA Dream for All 2026 guide for the relevant timelines.

Buyers purchasing in the Inland Empire should also note that wildfire risk profiles differ substantially from Los Angeles County. The first-time buyer guide for the Inland Empire addresses insurance in the context of Riverside and San Bernardino County escrow timelines and fire zone designations, which differ from LA County conditions. Finally, before choosing your representation for navigating any of these complexities, the guide to choosing a REALTOR for first-time buyers in Los Angeles explains what to look for in an agent who understands the insurance-contingency coordination that LA County transactions now require.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I can't get home insurance before closing in California?

A lender cannot fund a mortgage without proof of active homeowners insurance in California. If you cannot secure admitted-market coverage, you must apply for the California FAIR Plan and a wraparound DIC policy before your lender's insurance deadline — typically 3 to 10 days before closing. If the FAIR Plan decision has not arrived in time, requesting a closing date extension through your REALTOR and the seller is the standard path. Closings do not proceed without insurance confirmation in California escrow.

How much should I budget for home insurance when buying a house in California in 2026?

Budget $1,800 to $2,400 per year for admitted-market coverage on a moderate-risk Los Angeles flatland home valued around $800,000. If your property is in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, budget $4,300 to $9,400 per year for a FAIR Plan plus wraparound DIC combination (InsuranceQuotes, 2026; Coverage Cat, 2026). These figures represent 2026 market estimates; individual quotes will vary based on carrier, property address, dwelling value, and deductible selection.

Do I need a wraparound policy if I'm on the California FAIR Plan?

Yes. The FAIR Plan covers only fire, lightning, internal explosions, and smoke. California mortgage lenders require liability coverage (minimum $100,000, typically $300,000 to $1 million) as a condition of loan funding. The FAIR Plan provides no liability coverage, no theft coverage, and no additional living expenses. A Difference in Conditions (DIC) wraparound policy adds all of these and is mandatory for any purchase transaction where the buyer is on the FAIR Plan. Plan for combined FAIR Plan plus wraparound annual costs of $4,300 to $9,400 depending on risk level.

Is State Farm writing new homeowners policies in California in 2026?

No. State Farm paused new homeowners policies in California in 2023 and had not announced a re-entry timeline as of July 2026 (State Farm Newsroom, 2026). State Farm continues to hold a large share of existing policies in California from prior years, but buyers cannot obtain new coverage from State Farm. Admitted-market alternatives currently writing new policies in Southern California include Mercury Insurance, Farmers, AAA/CSAA, and Travelers, all of which received Sustainable Insurance Strategy approvals from the California DOI between December 2025 and April 2026.

Can I lower my home insurance premium in California with fire mitigation measures?

Yes. The California DOI's Safer From Wildfire program allows SIS-approved carriers (Mercury, Farmers, AAA/CSAA) to provide premium discounts of 5 to 15% for documented mitigation measures including ember-resistant vents and gutters, defensible space clearance around the structure, Class A or impact-resistant roofing, and double-pane windows (California DOI, 2026). When evaluating a property, ask the seller for any documentation of these improvements. Documented mitigation can reduce annual premiums and, in some cases, enable admitted-market coverage on properties that would otherwise require the FAIR Plan.

How long does it take to get approved for the California FAIR Plan?

The California FAIR Plan typically issues a decision within 30 to 60 days of a complete application. Given California's standard escrow period of 30 to 45 days, buyers in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones should file their FAIR Plan application concurrently with admitted-market applications on the day the offer is accepted — not after receiving a denial. Applications can be filed through a licensed broker or directly at cfpnet.com or by calling 800-339-4099. Monthly payment options are available without fees.

What is the Sustainable Insurance Strategy and does it help California homebuyers?

The Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), launched by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in September 2023, allows admitted-market carriers to use forward-looking catastrophe models for wildfire risk pricing instead of historical data alone. In exchange, SIS carriers must write policies covering 85% of their statewide market share in wildfire-distressed areas and must offer Safer From Wildfire mitigation discounts. For buyers, SIS means Mercury, Farmers, AAA/CSAA, and Travelers are actively writing new policies in Southern California as of 2026 — carriers that had largely paused new business before these approvals. Rates under SIS are higher in fire-risk areas, but coverage options are broader than in 2023 through 2025.

Should I check a property's wildfire risk before making an offer in Los Angeles?

Checking wildfire risk before making an offer in Los Angeles County is now considered a standard due-diligence step, not an optional one. CalFire's Fire Hazard Severity Zone map (osfm.fire.ca.gov) is publicly accessible and shows whether a specific address is designated Non-Wildland, Moderate, High, or Very High. Properties in Very High FHSZ zones, particularly in Altadena (91001), Pacific Palisades (90272), Malibu (90265), or the Topanga Canyon corridor (90290), face near-certain admitted-market denial and should be underwritten against FAIR Plan plus wraparound costs before the offer price is finalized. As of 2026, California policyholders have the right to request a property's FireLine wildfire risk score and the mitigation steps that could lower it (California DOI, 2026).

Questions About Buying a Home in California?

Justin Borges has guided buyers through the Los Angeles market since October 2013, including during the insurance crisis that reshaped how every Southern California purchase transaction is structured.

  • Coordination between your insurance timeline and escrow deadlines
  • Identifying properties in lower-risk zones where admitted-market coverage is accessible
  • Understanding what insurance costs mean for your total monthly payment and cash-to-close
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Justin Borges REALTOR DRE 01940318
Justin Borges, REALTOR®
CA DRE #01940318 · eXp Realty · Licensed since October 2013
Justin Borges has held an active California DRE salesperson license since October 2013 (#01940318), with no disciplinary action on record. With $200M+ in career sales and a 106% average list-to-sale ratio, Justin works with buyers navigating the full range of Los Angeles purchase complexities — from insurance contingencies in high-risk zones to down payment assistance programs, multifamily strategies, and first-time buyer education. Justin covers 30+ communities across the San Gabriel Valley, Northeast LA, and greater Los Angeles.
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Justin Borges, REALTOR® · CA DRE #01940318 · eXp Realty · DRE #02188471

680 E Colorado Blvd Suite 180, Pasadena, CA 91101 · (213) 262-5092 · lametrohomefinder.com

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice or a recommendation to purchase any specific insurance product. Coverage availability, carrier status, and premium ranges cited reflect 2026 market conditions and are subject to change. Readers should obtain individual insurance quotes from licensed insurance professionals. Justin Borges is a licensed California real estate salesperson, not a licensed insurance agent or broker.

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