If your rental is on the California FAIR Plan, check the renewal date. The FAIR Plan says its new dwelling-fire rates start October 15, 2026.
The FAIR Plan asked for an average increase of 35.6%, and the California Department of Insurance approved 29.1% on April 6, 2026. That is a statewide average, and your bill will not move by exactly that number. Homes with more wildfire exposure usually see more. Some lower-risk homes see less, or even a decrease. Hardening work can still cut the wildfire portion of the premium.
What I tell South Bay owners who call about this
- Ask your broker for the renewal offer early. For a home with 1 to 4 units, California Insurance Code 678 says the insurer has to send a renewal offer or a nonrenewal notice at least 45 days before the policy ends.
- Price FAIR Plan plus any Difference-in-Conditions wrap against a single admitted or surplus-lines quote.
- Do not cut the dwelling limit below rebuild cost just to lower the premium.
My role
I'm a property manager, not an insurance broker. I will not quote a policy. I will help you keep the property maintained and documented so your broker has something to work with.
If you own in San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Santa Clara, or nearby and insurance is eating the rent, call me at (669) 251-0162. We can look at the property side of the problem.