Seven of California’s twelve largest insurance companies have either stopped writing new policies or drastically limited where they’ll insure. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s what’s happening right now. If you’ve received a non-renewal notice or can’t find anyone willing to quote you, you’re not alone.
Here’s what changes when you work with us. You get access to carriers still writing policies in Orange County. You get someone who understands the FAIR Plan and when it makes sense—and when it doesn’t. You get a real conversation about wildfire risk, earthquake coverage, and flood zones without the runaround.
Most importantly, you get a home insurance quote that reflects what’s actually available today, not what used to be possible three years ago. The California insurance market has fundamentally changed, and we’ve adapted with it.
Shieldly Insurance Agency operates right here in Westminster, CA. We’re not a call center in another state reading from a script. We know Orange County—the neighborhoods, the risks, the carriers who are still writing policies and the ones who quietly stopped six months ago.
When State Farm and Allstate pulled back on new policies in California, we didn’t panic. We built relationships with regional carriers, surplus lines markets, and specialty insurers who understand California’s unique challenges. That’s how we keep finding coverage for homeowners when bigger agencies say it can’t be done.
You’re dealing with a market where premiums jumped 25% between 2021 and 2024. Where one in 100 California homeowners gets dropped by their insurance company every year. Where the average cost difference between carriers can be over $1,000 annually. You need an insurance broker who knows how to work in that environment, not someone still pretending it’s 2019.
First, we talk about your home—not just square footage and year built, but your actual situation. Are you in a wildfire risk zone? Have you made improvements that could lower your premium? Are you facing a non-renewal and need coverage fast?
Then we shop your policy across multiple insurance companies. Not just the big names you see on TV, but regional carriers and specialty markets that are actively writing homeowners insurance in Westminster. We’re looking at admitted carriers first, then E&S markets if needed, and we’ll be straight with you about what the FAIR Plan actually covers if that’s where we end up.
You get quotes that reflect real availability—what you can actually buy today, not theoretical rates from carriers who won’t take your application. We explain the differences in coverage, not just price. Earthquake coverage is separate in California. Flood insurance comes from FEMA or private markets. Wildfire risk affects your premium whether you’re in a red zone or not.
Once you choose a policy, we handle the paperwork and make sure your mortgage company gets what they need. When you have a claim, you call us—not an 800 number. And when your policy comes up for renewal, we’re already looking at whether your current carrier is still competitive or if it’s time to move.
Ready to get started?
A standard homeowners insurance policy in California covers your dwelling, your personal property, liability protection, and additional living expenses if you can’t stay in your home after a covered loss. That’s the baseline. What matters is understanding what’s not automatically included.
Earthquake damage isn’t covered under regular home insurance. You need separate earthquake coverage, and in Orange County, that’s not optional—it’s smart. Flood insurance is also separate, and yes, you can flood even if you’re not near the coast. Sewer backup, water seepage, and foundation issues often aren’t covered unless you add specific endorsements.
Westminster homeowners also need to think about replacement cost versus actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to rebuild your home at today’s prices. Actual cash value depreciates your claim based on age and wear. When construction costs are up and availability is tight, that difference matters more than ever.
We also look at bundling your home and auto insurance. The average savings is around $693 annually, and it simplifies your coverage. Some carriers offer discounts for security systems, fire-resistant roofing, or earthquake retrofitting. We find those savings because we know which insurance companies actually honor them and which ones make you jump through hoops.
The California insurance market isn’t getting easier. Premiums are rising, carriers are pickier about what they’ll insure, and the FAIR Plan is handling more policies than it was ever designed to cover. You need coverage that actually protects you, not just satisfies your lender.
California’s insurance market is in crisis, and that’s not an exaggeration. Between 2019 and 2024, more than 100,000 homeowners lost coverage because carriers exited the market or stopped renewing policies. Seven of the state’s twelve largest insurance companies have either pulled back significantly or stopped writing new homeowners insurance altogether.
The main driver is wildfire risk. Insurers have paid out massive claims from California wildfires, and the state’s regulatory environment makes it hard for them to raise rates fast enough to cover their exposure. Proposition 103 limits how quickly and how much carriers can increase premiums, so instead of raising rates, many just stopped offering new policies.
On top of that, only 31% of California residents currently have homeowners insurance, compared to 41% nationally. That means fewer people are in the risk pool, which drives up costs for everyone who does have coverage. The average premium for new policies is now $1,966, up 9.3% from last year alone. It’s a tough market, and it’s not improving quickly.
The California FAIR Plan is the state’s insurer of last resort. It was created to provide basic fire coverage for homeowners who can’t get insurance in the regular market. If you’ve been denied by multiple carriers or you’re in a high-risk wildfire area, the FAIR Plan might be your only option for meeting your lender’s insurance requirement.
Here’s what you need to know: FAIR Plan coverage is generally more expensive and provides lower coverage limits than regular market policies. It covers fire damage, but you’ll need separate policies for liability, theft, and other perils that a standard homeowners policy would normally include. You’re essentially piecing together coverage from multiple sources.
The FAIR Plan has also seen explosive growth. In high-risk states like California, surplus lines and FAIR Plan policies now account for 17% of all homeowners insurance, up from less than 2% in 2023. That tells you how many people are being pushed out of the traditional market. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than having no coverage at all. We help you understand if it’s your best option or if there are still admitted carriers willing to write your policy.
California’s average home insurance premium is $1,543 annually, or about $129 per month. That’s actually $160 less per month than the national average, but don’t let that fool you—rates in California have increased 25% from 2021 to 2024, and they’re still climbing.
In Westminster and Orange County specifically, your rate depends on several factors: your home’s age, construction type, proximity to fire stations, whether you’re in a flood zone or wildfire risk area, your coverage limits, and your deductible. The difference between the highest and lowest quotes from major insurers can be more than $1,000 per year for the same coverage.
Here’s the reality: if you’re in a higher-risk area or your home has older systems, you’re going to pay more—if you can get coverage at all. Some homeowners are seeing their premiums double at renewal, and others are being non-renewed entirely. That’s why shopping your policy across multiple insurance companies is critical right now. We find you the most competitive rate that’s actually available, not just the lowest theoretical price from a carrier that won’t take your application.
Getting a non-renewal notice is stressful, but it’s happening to thousands of California homeowners right now. You have a greater than one in 100 chance of being dropped by your insurance company in California—that’s significantly higher than most states.
First, don’t panic. You typically have 30 to 75 days’ notice before your policy ends, depending on the reason for non-renewal. Use that time to start shopping immediately. Contact us or another insurance agent who has access to multiple carriers, including surplus lines markets that specialize in harder-to-place risks.
If you can’t find coverage in the traditional market, you’ll likely need to go through the California FAIR Plan for basic fire coverage, then add a separate liability policy and possibly a difference-in-conditions policy to fill the gaps. It’s not as comprehensive as a standard homeowners policy, but it satisfies your mortgage company’s requirement. The key is acting fast—waiting until the last minute limits your options even further. We help Westminster homeowners navigate non-renewals regularly, and we know which carriers are still writing policies and which applications are worth submitting.
Bundling your home and auto insurance with the same carrier saves most people around $693 per year on average. That’s real money, and in a market where premiums are climbing, every discount matters.
But here’s the catch: bundling only makes sense if the combined price is actually lower than buying separate policies from different companies. Some carriers offer aggressive bundling discounts. Others give you 5% off and call it a deal. You need to run the numbers both ways.
There’s also a practical benefit beyond cost. When you have both policies with the same insurance company, you have one renewal date, one agent to call, and one relationship to manage. If you have a claim—say, a tree falls on your car and your house—you’re dealing with one carrier, not coordinating between two.
Right now in California, bundling can also improve your chances of getting home coverage in the first place. Some carriers are more willing to write homeowners insurance if you’re also bringing them your auto policy. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s leverage. We compare bundled rates against separate policies from different carriers to make sure you’re actually saving money, not just simplifying your paperwork.
Yes to earthquake coverage, and possibly yes to flood insurance—neither is included in your standard homeowners insurance policy in California.
Westminster is in Orange County, which sits near multiple fault lines. Earthquake damage isn’t covered under regular home insurance. You need a separate earthquake policy, either through the California Earthquake Authority or a private insurer. Given that a significant earthquake could cause tens of thousands in damage—or make your home unlivable—it’s not coverage you want to skip.
Flood insurance is a different calculation. Westminster isn’t coastal, but flooding can happen anywhere, especially with heavy rains, poor drainage, or aging infrastructure. If you’re in a FEMA-designated flood zone, your mortgage lender will require flood insurance. Even if you’re not in a high-risk zone, a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier is relatively inexpensive and covers a risk your homeowners policy explicitly excludes.
The bottom line: California homeowners need to think about coverage in layers. Your standard policy covers fire, theft, liability, and wind damage. Earthquake and flood are separate decisions based on your specific risk and location. We walk you through what makes sense for your home in Westminster, not just what’s required by your lender.
Local Resources
Other Services we provide in Westminster
