On FAIR Plan? October 15. Write it down.
That's when the California FAIR Plan's new insurance rates take effect, and the average increase is around 30%. Not everyone. Roughly a quarter of policyholders will actually see a decrease, some substantially. But about half are looking at increases somewhere between 30 and 50 percent.
If you're in Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, or anywhere up the mountain where FAIR Plan coverage is common, this is a real line item on your carrying cost, and it changes what you can afford.
If you're buying up there this fall: get your insurance quote before you're in contract, not during your contingency period. I've watched that timing break deals that had nothing else wrong with them.
Send this to someone buying up in the high fire zones this fall.
Source: United Policyholders, May 2026. Treat 30% as an approximation and get a quote for your actual address.
