Rhode Island FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does Rhode Island have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. Rhode Island's FAIR Plan is the Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association (RIJRA / Rhode Island FAIR Plan), official site www.rijra.com ↗. 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?

RIJRA offers three program lines. (1) Dwelling Fire (DP 00 01): basic named-peril fire policy with optional dwelling liability coverage (DL-1). (2) Homeowners: multiple ISO forms -- HO 00 02, 03, 05, 08 (owner-occupied 1-4 units), HO 00 04 (tenants), HO 00 06 (condo unit owners). Broader homeowners forms include liability coverage (Coverage E up to K-K). (3) Commercial Property (CP 00 99): for commercial buildings including 5+ apartment units. Flood is not covered by any RIJRA policy.

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is Dwelling Fire program: up to $750,000 (single interest). Homeowners program: Coverage A (dwelling) $25,000-$1,000,000. Commercial: frame construction up to $250,000; masonry/fire-resistive up to $500,000 (contents up to $250,000). (Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association, verified 2026-05-11).

Who is eligible?

Available to applicants with an insurable interest in Rhode Island property who are unable to obtain coverage through the voluntary/standard market and who meet 'reasonable underwriting standards.' Coverage is provided 'without consideration of environmental conditions associated with the property's location.' Properties may be declined for: poor condition, arson history, 65%+ vacancy without approved rehabilitation, outstanding demolition or vacate orders, delinquent taxes (1+ year), or unpaid insurance premiums. No fixed numeric declination count is published.

How do you apply?

Through a licensed Rhode Island insurance producer/agent. The RIJRA does not sell directly to consumers. Agents submit applications (ACORD 66 RI or 64 RI application forms required). Provisional coverage binds automatically within 20 days if the Association has not yet completed the coverage determination, pending property inspection and full premium payment. An online insured portal (insuredportal.rijra.com) and claims portal (apps.rijra.com/lossnotice) are also available.

Need a broker who writes the RI FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

Generally more expensive than the standard market for comparable coverage. RIJRA holds approximately 4% of Rhode Island homeowners insurance market share (early 2026), trending downward -- a sign the private market is healthy. The plan saw an 18% rate increase in a recent filing but agreed to a two-year ban on rate increase filings (mid-2024 reform package); that ban lifts March 2026, at which point RIJRA may seek a rate adjustment subject to RI DBR approval. A homeowners rate revision was filed effective September 15, 2025.

What is changing right now?

FAIR Plan habitational policies approximately 16,029 / total exposure approximately .14 billion per Insurance Information Institute FY2024 reporting (may reflect slightly earlier fiscal year). RIJRA saw its largest single-year jump in new enrollees in 2024 in two decades. A new bill payment portal launched January 20, 2026 (via Invoice Cloud) with AutoPay and paperless billing. A new Insured Portal (insuredportal.rijra.com) provides policyholders online access to documents and payments. RIJRA agreed to a two-year moratorium on rate increase filings (mid-2024); that moratorium lifts March 2026. A homeowners policy program rate revision was filed effective September 15, 2025.

Do you also need a wrap (DIC) policy?

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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 Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association (RIJRA / Rhode Island FAIR Plan). 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 →