Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plans, sometimes called FAIR Plans or ‘policies of last resort,’ are a part of the insurance industry’s residual market and are designed to provide access to insurance coverage when traditional insurance isn’t available.
If you’ve ever received a notice from your insurance company cancelling or not renewing your homeowners policy, it can be startling. It often feels personally punitive when, in reality, it can come from a variety of policy mandates or changes in circumstances.
Today, non-renewals have become increasingly common and can include area-wide changes, such as intensifying wildfire, hurricane, or hail activity in your area, aging housing stock, or skyrocketing rebuilding costs, or property-specific challenges, such as claims history or property condition that no longer fits underwritten guidelines.
While this may not mean that your home is ‘uninsurable,’ it does mean that it no longer fits within the underwriting guidelines of the standard insurance market.
What is FAIR Plan Home Insurance?
A FAIR Plan is a property insurance mechanism authorized by a state and designed to provide basic coverage for homeowners who cannot obtain insurance coverage through the standard private insurance market. Not every state has a FAIR Plan or insurer of last resort.
FAIR Plans grew out of the Urban Property Insurance Protection and Reinsurance Act of 1968 as a way to help property owners protect their property and investment when standard insurance is unavailable. Initially conceived as a program to address insurance availability issues, FAIR Plans have become crucial in areas exposed to catastrophic occurrences.
While each state has different programs and coverages (outlined in our guide below), insurance companies usually share in the expenses, risks, and profits/losses within that state.
What Types of Coverage Fall Within FAIR Plans/Policies of Last Resort?
Funded by private insurers, not public dollars, ‘insurers of last resort’ provide basic coverage with each state determining their citizens’ needs. Available mechanisms, depending on the state, include:
FAIR Plans
An outgrowth of late 1960’s policy aimed at stopping insurance ‘redlining’ in inner cities. Redlining was an illegal discriminatory practice where specific urban neighborhoods were targeted with higher rates, limited options, denials, etc., to discourage participation.
Today, FAIR Plans provide basic structural coverage for high-risk properties located within specific areas prone to wildfires, hurricanes, etc., or for those deemed uninsurable due to claims history, etc.
These states participate in a FAIR Plan: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, with Arkansas’s rural residual mechanism similar in nature to a FAIR Plan.
Citizens Plans
Some states have citizens plans which act as an insurer of last resort, i.e., Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. These plans absorb large numbers of policies following major disasters or in disaster-prone states.
Beach and Windstorm Plans
Created specifically for coastal states or areas that are vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe flooding. These plans cover storms, wind, and hail damage and operate in high-risk coastal areas that have seen or can anticipate weather-related catastrophes.
States that have a beach or windstorm plan: Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas, along with several Atlantic states, e.g., Georgia, New York. Florida and Louisiana are effectively their own category. PIPSO notes that their Beach Plans merged with their FAIR Plans, making them different enough structurally that describing them simply as “FAIR Plans” can be misleading.
Joint Underwriting Associations
Joint Underwriting Associations, or JUAs, operate in a similar manner to FAIR plans where formal pools of private insurance companies collaborate to share exposure risk. The JUAs issue policies directly to consumers or assign the requests fairly so that all licensed insurers share in the risk.
State Property Insurance Pools
Similar to JUAs created by the individual states, these pools combine financial resources to handle catastrophic losses. They spread the risk and disperse financial profits or losses equally across the insurance companies.
For the remaining states without FAIR Plans or Last-Resort Pools, that doesn’t mean there are no options. You will need to explore surplus market lines, specialty insurers, and residual market options.
State-by-State FAIR Plan and Last-Resort Home Insurance Guide***
| State*** | Category | FAIR Plan or Last-Resort Option | What Homeowners Should Know |
| Alabama | Coastal Beach/Windstorm | Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association | Provides windstorm coverage in eligible coastal areas rather than a traditional statewide FAIR Plan. |
| Alaska | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Homeowners unable to obtain standard coverage may need to explore specialty or surplus-lines insurers. |
| Arizona | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | High-risk properties may require specialty or surplus-lines coverage when standard insurance is unavailable. |
| Arkansas | FAIR/Residual Market | Arkansas Rural Risk Underwriting Association | Provides a residual-market option for eligible rural property risks that cannot obtain coverage through normal channels. |
| California | FAIR Plan | California FAIR Plan | Major insurer of last resort, particularly important in wildfire-exposed areas. Coverage may need to be paired with supplemental coverage. |
| Colorado | FAIR Plan | Colorado FAIR Plan | A newer residual-market option created as insurance availability has become more challenging, particularly in wildfire-exposed areas. |
| Connecticut | FAIR Plan | Connecticut FAIR Plan | Provides basic property coverage to eligible applicants unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary market. |
| Delaware | FAIR Plan | Delaware FAIR Plan | Residual-market property coverage for eligible properties unable to secure standard insurance. |
| District of Columbia | FAIR Plan | D.C. FAIR Plan | Provides basic property insurance when voluntary-market coverage is unavailable. |
| Florida | Citizens / Last Resort | Citizens Property Insurance Corporation | Florida’s state-created insurer of last resort combines functions historically associated with FAIR and coastal residual markets. |
| Georgia | FAIR Plan | Georgia Underwriting Association | Provides basic property coverage for eligible applicants unable to obtain voluntary-market insurance. |
| Hawaii | FAIR/Residual Market | Hawaii Property Insurance Association | Provides residual property insurance, including an important role in high-risk lava zones. Hawaii also has separate hurricane-market mechanisms. |
| Idaho | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Consumers may need to investigate specialty or surplus-lines coverage if standard insurance is unavailable. |
| Illinois | FAIR Plan | Illinois FAIR Plan Association | Provides basic property insurance for eligible properties that cannot obtain standard-market coverage. |
| Indiana | FAIR Plan | Indiana FAIR Plan | Residual-market property coverage for applicants unable to obtain insurance through normal channels. |
| Iowa | FAIR Plan | Iowa FAIR Plan Association | Provides basic property coverage to qualifying applicants unable to obtain standard insurance. |
| Kansas | FAIR Plan | Kansas FAIR Plan | Offers residual-market property insurance for eligible applicants. |
| Kentucky | FAIR Plan | Kentucky FAIR Plan | Provides access to basic property insurance when standard-market coverage is unavailable. |
| Louisiana | Citizens / Last Resort | Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation | State insurer of last resort serving eligible property owners who cannot obtain coverage in the voluntary market. |
| Maine | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Consumers with difficult-to-insure properties may need specialty or surplus-lines options. |
| Maryland | FAIR Plan | Maryland Joint Insurance Association | Provides property insurance to qualifying applicants who cannot obtain standard coverage. |
| Massachusetts | FAIR Plan | Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association | Commonly known as the Massachusetts FAIR Plan; especially significant in coastal and other difficult insurance markets. |
| Michigan | FAIR Plan | Michigan Basic Property Insurance Association | Provides basic property insurance for eligible applicants unable to obtain voluntary-market coverage. |
| Minnesota | FAIR Plan | Minnesota FAIR Plan | Residual-market option for qualifying properties unable to secure coverage in the standard market. |
| Mississippi | FAIR + Coastal Wind | Mississippi FAIR Plan / Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association | FAIR coverage and a separate coastal windstorm mechanism address different residual-market needs. |
| Missouri | FAIR Plan | Missouri Property Insurance Placement Facility | Provides basic property insurance for qualifying risks unable to obtain voluntary coverage. |
| Montana | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Specialty and surplus-lines insurance may become important for difficult-to-place properties. |
| Nebraska | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Homeowners generally rely on private, specialty, or surplus-lines markets. |
| Nevada | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Difficult-to-insure homes may require specialty-market alternatives. |
| New Hampshire | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional statewide FAIR Plan; specialty options may be necessary when standard coverage is unavailable. |
| New Jersey | FAIR Plan | New Jersey Insurance Underwriting Association | Provides residual-market property insurance for eligible applicants. |
| New Mexico | FAIR Plan | New Mexico Property Insurance Program | Provides basic coverage to eligible property owners unable to obtain voluntary-market insurance. |
| New York | FAIR Plan / Coastal Assistance | New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association | Provides residual-market property coverage; coastal homeowners may also have access to market-assistance mechanisms. |
| North Carolina | FAIR + Coastal | NC Joint Underwriting Association / NC Insurance Underwriting Association | The state has both residual property coverage and specialized coastal coverage for eligible properties. |
| North Dakota | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Consumers may need to use specialty or surplus-lines markets if conventional insurance is unavailable. |
| Ohio | FAIR Plan | Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association | Provides basic property coverage for eligible applicants unable to obtain insurance voluntarily. |
| Oklahoma | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Despite substantial tornado and severe-weather exposure, the state does not have a traditional FAIR Plan. |
| Oregon | FAIR Plan | Oregon FAIR Plan Association | Residual-market option that may be particularly relevant as wildfire underwriting becomes more restrictive. |
| Pennsylvania | FAIR Plan | Pennsylvania FAIR Plan | Provides basic property coverage when eligible applicants cannot obtain standard-market insurance. |
| Rhode Island | FAIR Plan | Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association | Provides residual-market property coverage, including for properties facing coastal insurance challenges. |
| South Carolina | FAIR + Coastal Wind | SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association / residual-market options | Coastal homeowners may qualify for specialized wind and hail coverage where private-market options are limited. |
| South Dakota | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Homeowners generally must explore private, specialty, or surplus-lines alternatives. |
| Tennessee | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Difficult-to-place properties may require specialty or surplus-lines insurance. |
| Texas | FAIR + Coastal Wind | Texas FAIR Plan Association / Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | FAIR coverage addresses qualifying difficult-to-insure properties, while TWIA provides wind and hail coverage in designated coastal areas. |
| Utah | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Homeowners unable to obtain conventional insurance may need specialty-market coverage. |
| Vermont | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan; consumers may need to investigate specialty alternatives. |
| Virginia | FAIR Plan | Virginia Property Insurance Association | Provides basic property coverage to qualifying applicants unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary market. |
| Washington | FAIR Plan | Washington FAIR Plan | Provides residual property coverage for qualifying applicants unable to secure voluntary-market insurance. |
| West Virginia | FAIR Plan | West Virginia FAIR Plan | Offers basic property coverage for eligible applicants who cannot obtain insurance through standard carriers. |
| Wisconsin | FAIR Plan | Wisconsin Insurance Plan | Provides basic property insurance for qualifying applicants unable to obtain coverage in the voluntary market. |
| Wyoming | No Traditional FAIR Plan | No traditional FAIR Plan | Specialty and surplus-lines markets may be alternatives when standard coverage is unavailable. |
***Last Reviewed: August 2026. Please check specifics with your state as residual markets change and evolve quickly.
What Type of Coverage Will I Get with a FAIR Plan?
While coverage can vary considerably, it must be stated that FAIR Plans are not full-coverage homeowners plan – some additional endorsements, like flood, earthquake, etc., may be required to ensure full protection.
It’s important to review exclusions, deductibles, endorsements, limits, and covered perils, while also noting if personal liability is included. Basic coverage will usually protect your dwelling against fire, lightning, smoke, wind, vandalism, and may include personal property, other structures, or additional living expenses.
What’s the Difference Between a FAIR Plan and My Standard Policy?
| Policy Feature | Standard Homeowners Policy | FAIR Plan |
| Eligibility | Insurer underwriting | State/program-mandated eligibility |
| Property coverage | Typically, more broad | More limited/basic |
| Personal liability | Commonly included | May be unavailable or limited in scope |
| Personal property | Commonly included | Varies by plan |
| Additional living expenses | Often included | Varies |
| Pricing | Risk and insurer dependent | May be comparatively expensive |
| Long-term goal | Normal source of coverage | Often intended as a safety net |
How Much Does a Fair Plan Cost?
Unfortunately, there is no single national average. Price varies by state, catastrophe exposure, program structure, as well as individual circumstances, such as coverage type and amount, home size, age, and construction, site location, and claims history.
‘Last resort’ should not be confused with low cost. FAIR Plans can be high cost and may require additional supplemental coverage for you to fully protect your investment.
Moving Back to Standard Home Insurance
FAIR Plan coverage isn’t intended to be permanent and there are ways to improve your chances of participating in the standard home insurance market, including:
Address Property Risks
- Replace aging roofs or systems
- Repair dated or dilapidated structures
- Update electrical/plumbing systems
- Perform property maintenance
Mitigate Property Against Catastrophe
- Build or create defensible space within wildfire corridors
- Install fire-resistant exterior finishes and roofing
- Replace windows with impact-resistant glass
- Install automatic shut-off systems
As you make changes, be sure to keep receipts, inspection reports, contractor notes, etc., and document all work and expenses. Annually, re-visit insurance coverage in your area to see if you qualify for standard coverage—the FAIR Plan is intended as a bridge to better coverage in the future.
Conclusion
FAIR Plans are intended to provide protection for homeowners who cannot get traditional insurance coverage. They are not intended to be a long-term solution.
If you find yourself in a position where you need to access the FAIR Plan safety net, contact your state insurance authority to check eligibility, access your state’s designated portal, or contact NAIC for more information.
Contact einsurance.com to learn more about homeowners insurance and to receive quotes when you are looking for traditional service once again.
