North Carolina FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does North Carolina have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. North Carolina's FAIR Plan is the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (NCJUA), official site www.ncjua-nciua.org ↗. It exists as the insurer of last resort for property owners who can't get coverage in the standard ("admitted") market.

What does it cover?

NCJUA (FAIR Plan): Dwelling Fire and Commercial Fire policies for all territories except the Beach Area — cover fire, lightning, windstorm and hail, vandalism and malicious mischief, and other named perils per the dwelling/commercial fire form. NCIUA (Beach Plan): in the 18 coastal counties — offers homeowner policies, dwelling fire, commercial fire, wind/hail-only policies, and crime coverage; perils include fire, windstorm, hail, lightning, vandalism and malicious mischief. Neither covers flood. The Beach Plan wind-only policy must sit alongside a separate primary policy from an admitted NC carrier that excludes windstorm.

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is Residential: $1,000,000 building coverage (both NCJUA FAIR Plan and NCIUA Beach Plan); personal property capped at 40% of approved building coverage. Commercial: NCJUA up to $2.5M combined / $6M aggregate (per firewall divisions); NCIUA up to $4M per freestanding structure / $10M aggregate (increased from $3M/$6M effective 11/02/2023). (NCJUA / NCIUA, verified 2026-05-11).

Who is eligible?

Markets of last resort: an applicant must have an insurable interest in NC property and be unable to obtain coverage in the standard (admitted) market. NCJUA FAIR Plan covers all territories except the Beach Area. NCIUA Beach Plan covers the 18 designated coastal counties (Beaufort, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Tyrrell, Washington); a Beach Plan wind/hail-only policy additionally requires an active primary policy from an admitted NC carrier that excludes windstorm. Properties must meet underwriting standards (condition, occupancy, etc.).

How do you apply?

Through a licensed North Carolina insurance agent. NCJUA/NCIUA do not sell directly to consumers; agents submit applications via the NCJUA-NCIUA producer portal (portal.ncjua-nciua.com).

Need a broker who writes the NC FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

Generally more expensive than the standard market, with large named-storm/wind percentage deductibles on coastal policies (1%, 2%, or 5% for Named Storm and Windstorm & Hail). NCIUA Beach Plan rates are set through the regulatory process and have risen sharply alongside the broader NC coastal market.

What is changing right now?

NC homeowners settlement (Jan 2025, Commissioner Causey): average +7.5% statewide on June 1, 2025 and another +7.5% on June 1, 2026 (40 territory rates; coastal beach territories up ~16% in 2025 and ~15.9% in 2026 — nearly +32% over two years; mountain counties only ~4.4-4.5%) — this replaced the NC Rate Bureau's original request for an average 42.2% (up to ~99.4% in some coastal areas). Separate dwelling/landlord-policy settlement (April 2025): +5% statewide effective Oct 1, 2026 and another +5% effective Oct 1, 2027 (vs a Rate Bureau request of ~68.3% over two years). NCIUA Beach Plan commercial limits raised to $4M/$10M effective Nov 2, 2023.

Do you also need a wrap (DIC) policy?

typical (for NCIUA wind-only policies)

What to do this week if you just got a non-renewal notice

1. Read the notice fully. Note the cancellation date — that's your runway.
2. Call your current agent and ask why. Some non-renewals are reversible (a minor issue, a missed inspection); most aren't.
3. Get quotes from at least three other admitted carriers before going to the FAIR Plan. If you're rural / WUI / coastal you may strike out; that's normal.
4. If admitted carriers decline, contact a broker who writes the North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (NCJUA). They can submit on your behalf the same week.
5. Don't let coverage lapse. A lapse triggers force-placed insurance from your lender — much more expensive and worse coverage.

For the full playbook see I just got a non-renewal notice →