How to Get Home Insurance If You Live in a High-Risk Fire Zone

Introduction

Living in a high-risk wildfire area in California has its perks—beautiful views, peaceful surroundings—but getting homeowners insurance can be a serious challenge. Many insurance companies are pulling back from areas like Los Angeles County’s foothills, Ventura, and parts of Northern California, leaving homeowners scrambling for options.

If you’ve been dropped by your insurer, denied coverage, or hit with sky-high premiums, you’re not alone. But there’s good news: with the right help, you can still get covered.

This guide explains how to get home insurance if you live in a high-risk fire zone and how eWay Insurance helps California homeowners secure protection even in wildfire-prone ZIP codes.

Why It’s Hard to Get Insurance in Fire-Prone Areas

Wildfires have caused billions in damages across California in recent years. As a result:

• Major insurers are limiting new policies or exiting areas entirely
  
• Existing customers are being non-renewed
  
• Premiums have increased dramatically—even for long-term policyholders
  

This shift has left many homeowners in vulnerable areas scrambling for solutions—and often unaware that alternatives do exist.

Your Insurance Options in High-Risk Zones

1. Private Insurance Carriers (Traditional Market)

Some companies still write in select high-risk zones, especially if:

• You have fire-resistant construction or mitigation features
  
• You're bundling multiple policies (auto + home)
  
• You're working with a trusted broker like eWay who can advocate on your behalf
  

eWay Insurance has access to carriers that still insure wildfire zones, many of which are unavailable through national websites or captive agents.

2. The California FAIR Plan

The FAIR Plan is California’s insurer of last resort. It’s not a full homeowners policy, but it covers:

• Fire
  
• Smoke
  
• Lightning
  
• Internal explosion
  

It's ideal when private coverage isn’t available, but it comes with limits.

To get complete coverage, many homeowners pair a FAIR Plan policy with a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy, which fills in the gaps (liability, theft, water damage, etc.).

eWay Insurance helps homeowners bundle FAIR Plan + DIC policies seamlessly, often saving money and avoiding underinsurance.

What You’ll Need to Get Approved

• Property address and ZIP code
  
• Year built, square footage, and construction materials
  
• Fire mitigation details:
  
• • Defensible space
    
  • Fire-resistant roofing or siding
    
  • Sprinkler systems or alarms
    
• Photos or inspection reports, if requested
  

eWay Insurance will help package this information to make your home more insurable—even if it's located in a “very high fire hazard severity zone.”

Ways to Improve Your Insurability

If you're in a wildfire area, take these steps to improve your chances of getting covered—and potentially lower your premium:

• Create defensible space: Clear at least 100 feet of brush around the home
  
• Upgrade your roof: Fire-resistant Class A roofing materials are preferred
  
• Install fire sprinklers and smoke alarms
  
• Add a backup water source (like a tank or pool with pump)
  
• Follow local fire hardening ordinances
  

Insurers reward homes with mitigation features. eWay Insurance ensures these credits are applied when quoting your policy.

How eWay Insurance Helps

Navigating California’s complex home insurance market—especially in high-risk areas—can be overwhelming. eWay Insurance simplifies the process by:

• Accessing 80+ carriers, including those that write in wildfire zones
  
• Coordinating FAIR Plan + DIC policies for full protection
  
• Providing bilingual support for English and Spanish speakers
  
• Reviewing policies annually to catch savings opportunities and maintain coverage
  

They’ve helped thousands of LA-area homeowners avoid policy lapses, save money, and stay insured—even when other providers said no.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the FAIR Plan and is it good coverage?
The FAIR Plan covers fire and related perils only. It’s useful in wildfire zones but must be paired with a DIC policy to fully protect your home.

2. Can I lower my premium by improving fire safety?
Yes. Features like fire-resistant roofing, defensible space, and sprinkler systems can earn you major discounts.

3. Will my mortgage lender accept a FAIR Plan policy?
Most lenders require comprehensive coverage. You’ll likely need a FAIR Plan + DIC combo to satisfy mortgage requirements. eWay can help you structure this properly.

4. Can I get coverage if I’ve already been dropped by another company?
Yes. eWay Insurance specializes in finding replacement policies for homeowners who’ve been non-renewed.

5. How long does it take to get a new policy?
Typically 24–48 hours, but it depends on the property and underwriting review. eWay can often expedite urgent situations.

6. Is it more expensive to insure homes in wildfire areas?
Usually yes, but eWay compares multiple insurers to find the most affordable policy available.

Final Thoughts

Living in a fire zone doesn’t mean living uninsured. While many major insurers have backed away from California’s wildfire-prone areas, others are still writing policies—and the FAIR Plan exists to ensure coverage is available.

With expert guidance from eWay Insurance, you can protect your home and stay compliant with your lender—even when traditional insurers say no. From pairing FAIR Plan and DIC policies to applying for discounts, they handle the heavy lifting.