Washington FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does Washington have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. Washington's FAIR Plan is the Washington FAIR Plan Association (Washington FAIR Plan), official site wafairplan.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?

Basic fire insurance for owner- and tenant-occupied dwellings, apartment buildings and commercial structures, with Extended Coverage and Vandalism available as additional coverages. A range of deductibles is available. Coverage for liability, theft, and most types of water-related losses is NOT available, and the plan does NOT cover flood. WILDFIRE: there is no separate 'wildfire' peril or endorsement — wildfire damage is covered to the extent it falls within the standard fire-insurance coverage of the policy (i.e. a Washington FAIR Plan fire policy responds to wildfire the same way a standard fire policy would). Note: the plan does not write full homeowners (HO) policies — it writes basic fire / dwelling-property-type coverage on real and tangible personal property at a fixed location (the regulation also expressly covers builder's-risk coverage on property under construction or rehabilitation).

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is $1,500,000 — the maximum coverage available under a dwelling or commercial policy (maximum liability of the facility per property at one location). The plan seeks placement in the voluntary market for amounts exceeding this limit. (Washington FAIR Plan Association — FAQ, verified 2026-05-11).

Who is eligible?

Available statewide to any person with an insurable interest in real or tangible personal property at a fixed location in Washington who has difficulty obtaining property insurance in the standard (admitted) market, provided the property is occupied and reasonably maintained. The property is subject to a (free, no-deposit) inspection assessing structural condition, occupancy and general building condition; the plan applies minimum eligibility/fire-safety standards and may impose surcharges or conditions. Automobiles, farm risks and manufacturing risks are not eligible. Chapter 284-19 WAC does not require an applicant to prove a fixed number of prior declinations before applying, but the program is intended only for risks that cannot be placed in the normal market.

How do you apply?

Through any Washington-licensed property insurance agent — the FAIR Plan does not sell directly to consumers; the agent submits the application. Applicants (or their agent) can also request a free property inspection. Contact: Washington FAIR Plan Association, 2122 164th Street SW, Suite 301, Lynnwood, WA 98087; phone 425-745-9808 (toll free 866-745-9808); email [email protected]. The Washington OIC directs homeowners who can't find coverage after a cancellation or non-renewal to call the FAIR Plan at 425-745-9808.

Need a broker who writes the WA FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

Generally more expensive than the standard market for much narrower coverage (basic fire + optional extended coverage/vandalism; no liability, theft or water damage). A genuine last resort — not a price-competition fallback. In Washington's wildfire-exposed eastern counties (Chelan/Leavenworth, Spokane area, Okanogan, etc.) it is increasingly the only available option for homeowners dropped by standard carriers over wildfire risk scores, often after surplus-lines markets are also exhausted.

What is changing right now?

Washington FAIR Plan habitational policies ~306 / total exposure ~$176 million per Insurance Information Institute FY2024 reporting (figures may lag a fiscal year) — still small in absolute terms, but applicant interest is rising sharply as the eastern-Washington wildfire-insurance squeeze worsens. The Washington OIC reports homeowner non-renewals/cancellations statewide roughly doubled from 11,763 (2021) to 24,106 (recent year), with wildfire-related complaints in H1 2024 exceeding the prior two years combined; the OIC launched an annual residential non-renewal/cancellation data call (by ZIP code and reason) in 2024. Effective July 1, 2025, the statutory non-renewal notice period for property/homeowner policies increased from 45 to 60 days (RCW 48.18.2901). In the 2026 legislative session Commissioner Patty Kuderer is backing SB 5928 (insurers must disclose wildfire risk scores and explain them) and SB 6079 (grants for retrofitting homes to 'Wildfire Prepared Home' standards, with protections barring cancellation of participating homeowners) — both stemming from December 2025 recommendations of the OIC/DNR Wildfire Mitigation and Resiliency Standards Work Group.

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 Washington FAIR Plan Association (Washington 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 →