Insurance

Explanation of the FAIR Plan

High Risk Homes and How to Get a FAIR Plan Policy

FAIR Plan Insurance for high risk homes state by state list
••• John Lund / BlendImages / Getty Images
By Mila Araujo
Updated September 14, 2018

The Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan is a state-mandated program that provides fair access to insurance for individuals who are having trouble insuring their property due to the fact that insurers consider them high risk. The FAIR plan is a "shared market plan."

FAIR Plans Help Cover Higher Risk Properties When Standard Insurance Won't

FAIR Plans are state programs sometimes subsidized by private insurance companies. These plans often provide insurance to people that would otherwise be denied insurance on their property due to a high-risk area or other related high-risk problems.

Your state insurance department can give you more information on it's particular FAIR Plan or you can check out the state by state list of where you can get help for the FAIR Plan insurance program below.

The FAIR Plan and High-Risk Insurance

High-risk insurance is when the insurance company has decided that the risk of having claims at a specific location or area is high based on:

  • geographic data,
  • maintenance,
  • "loss history" or having a high number of claims incidents for the location or specific home.

Where Do You Get Insurance for a "High Insurance Risk" Area?

Standard insurers do not specialize in high-risk properties and therefore will often refuse to insure them, by either not insuring them at all, or by deciding that they will not renew a high-risk location once the insurance policy term is up.

What Makes a Home High-Risk?

  • If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, like tornado alley, or where there is a high incidence of hurricanes or windstorms, your property may be considered high risk.
  • If you live in an area that is prone to high crime levels, vandalism or theft
  • If your home has not been renovated or is in disrepair
  • If you have had many claims

What to Do If You Have Trouble Finding Home Insurance

If you are purchasing your first home or a new property and are having a hard time finding an insurance company to insure you, try asking your realtor if they know of insurance companies or brokers in your area that will write policies in the area. Insurance brokers have access to many different insurance companies and will work to find you something.

You can also contact your local State Insurance Commissioner's Office and they will point you in the right direction. You may still be able to find a policy with a private insurer that is comfortable and offers good coverage. The FAIR Plan should be used as a last resort.

You can also try to negotiate: Consider the reasons that you are being refused insurance and try negotiating with the insurance company. Very often if you make adjustments or repairs, or consider higher deductibles, you may be able to obtain coverage. Make sure you try everything with a few standard insurers before going to the FAIR Plan.

Conditions to be Eligible for the FAIR Plan

According to the Insurance Institute, even the FAIR Plan has conditions.that must be met. Just because you have a high-risk home, it does not mean the fair plan will accept you. You may be asked to limit the risk of fire, theft or water damage by installing anti-theft or alarm devices, you may be asked to install backup valves, or repair your roof, and in some cases replace your wiring. If these types of conditions would have made you eligible for standard insurance, you are probably better off doing your necessary repairs and sticking with a standard insurance company.

When to Look for FAIR Plan Insurance

If you have exhausted all the options outlined above, and you can't seem to find an insurance company to accept your risk, then you have the option of applying for insurance with the FAIR Plan. Keep in mind, however, if the reason for a refusal to insure your property is not due to matters beyond your control, even the FAIR Plan has the right to refuse coverage if you do not adhere to their recommendations. The situation varies case by case, so the best idea is to contact them directly to discuss the conditions of the FAIR Plan as they apply to your situation.

You may also be eligible for additional insurance endorsements that may improve the base coverage.

Where to Find FAIR Plan Insurance Help a State by State List

Insurance Placement Facility of Pennsylvania

West Virginia Essential Property Insurance Association

How to Get Insurance When You Live in a High-Risk Area

If you have been unsuccessful in obtaining insurance for your home because it is designated as a high risk or you have been refused insurance, and you have already tried to negotiate with standard private insurers and exhausted all other options, then you can contact the FAIR Plan administrator in your state to find out more information about the FAIR plan and how to get insurance on your home.

FAIR Plan Administrator Phone Numbers by State

Alabama 334-943-4029

California 213-487-0111

Connecticut 860-528-9546

Delaware 215-629-8800

District of Columbia 202-393-4640

Florida JUA 850-513-3700

Florida Windstorm Und. Assoc. 904-296-6105

Georgia 770-923-7431

Hawaii 808-531-1311

Illinois 312-861-0385

Indiana 317-264-2310

Iowa 515-255-9531

Kansas 785-271-2300

Kentucky 502-425-9998

Louisiana FAIR Plan 504-831-6930

Louisiana Beach Plan 504-831-6930

Maryland 410-539-6808

Massachusetts 617-723-3800

Michigan 313-877-7400

Minnesota 612-338-7584

Mississippi 601-981-2915

Missouri 314-421-0170

New Jersey 973-622-3838

New Mexico 505-878-9563

New York 212-208-9700

Ohio 614-839-6446

Oregon 503-643-5448

Pennsylvania 215-629-8800

Rhode Island 617-723-3800

South Carolina 803-737-6180

Texas 512-899-4900

Virginia 804-358-0416

Washington 425-745-9808

West Virginia 215-629-8800

Wisconsin 414-291-5353