Non-Renewal Guide
Wildfire Insurance After Non-Renewal
What to do when your Oregon homeowners insurance is non-renewed due to wildfire risk
Non-Renewal Guide
Wildfire Insurance After Non-Renewal
What to do when your Oregon homeowners insurance is non-renewed due to wildfire risk
What to Do After a Wildfire Non-Renewal
Receiving a non-renewal notice is stressful, but you have options. Here's the step-by-step process for finding new coverage after a wildfire-related non-renewal in Oregon.
Don't Panic — Act Quickly
Oregon law requires carriers to give 45 days' notice before non-renewal (30 days for mid-term cancellation). Use this time to contact Prineville Insurance immediately. The sooner you start the process, the more options you'll have.
Review the Non-Renewal Notice
Understand why your policy was non-renewed. Common reasons include wildfire risk score changes, carrier market exits, claims history, or property condition. The reason affects which alternative markets may be available to you.
Contact an Independent Agent
An independent agent like Prineville Insurance has access to multiple carriers — including specialty admitted markets and surplus lines insurers that write high-risk properties. We can shop your risk across 50+ carriers simultaneously.
Explore Specialty Markets
Specialty wildfire insurers — including admitted carriers like Palomar and surplus lines markets — write policies in high-risk zones that standard carriers avoid. These policies may cost more but provide the coverage you need.
Consider the Oregon FAIR Plan
If specialty market options are exhausted, the Oregon FAIR Plan provides basic fire coverage as a last resort. It's more expensive and less comprehensive than standard policies, but it keeps your home insured while you pursue other options.
Invest in Mitigation
Home hardening improvements and defensible space work can improve your insurability over time. Oregon's Wildfire Prepared certification program provides third-party documentation that some carriers are beginning to recognize.
Your Coverage Options After Non-Renewal
Specialty Admitted Markets
Specialty admitted carriers like Palomar, Openly, and others write wildfire coverage in high-risk zones. These policies are more expensive than standard coverage but provide comprehensive protection and are backed by Oregon's guaranty fund.
Surplus Lines Markets
Surplus lines insurers are not admitted in Oregon but are licensed to write coverage for risks that standard carriers won't accept. They provide an important safety net for high-risk properties and are regulated by Oregon's Division of Financial Regulation.
Oregon FAIR Plan
The Oregon FAIR Plan is the insurer of last resort for properties that cannot obtain coverage in the standard or specialty markets. It provides basic fire coverage but is more expensive and less comprehensive than other options.
