California's Insurance Gap: What Homeowners Need to Know

Rhea-AI Summary

A recent analysis reveals a significant insurance coverage gap in California, with 806,600 homes (10.5%) completely uninsured and many more underinsured. The issue has been highlighted by recent Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires. Mercury Insurance's VP Kelly Butler emphasizes the importance of annual policy reviews to ensure adequate coverage. Key factors contributing to this crisis include:

• Rising insurance costs in wildfire-prone areas
• Insurance companies scaling back coverage in high-risk regions
• Increased reliance on California FAIR Plan (up 300% since 2018)
• Regulatory constraints from Proposition 103

The state is responding through Commissioner Ricardo Lara's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which aims to improve pricing accuracy and expand coverage options in wildfire-prone areas.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• 10.5% of California homes (806,600) are completely uninsured
• Insurance premiums increasing in wildfire-prone areas
• Insurance companies reducing coverage in high-risk regions
• 300% increase in FAIR Plan usage since 2018 indicates market stress
• Regulatory constraints limiting insurers' ability to adjust rates

Insights

Insurance Industry Analyst

Mercury Insurance highlights California's underinsurance crisis, positioning itself as an informed voice amid industry challenges and regulatory changes.

This press release strategically positions Mercury Insurance within California's increasingly challenging homeowners insurance landscape. The company is leveraging recent wildfire disasters to highlight a critical market problem - 10.5% of California homes (806,600 residences) are completely uninsured, with a significant number more being underinsured. Rather than merely stating the problem, Mercury offers a solution through their services while demonstrating industry expertise.

The timing is particularly strategic following January's Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires. Mercury is using this context to emphasize the value proposition of proper insurance coverage while subtly establishing itself as a stable provider in a market where competitors are retreating. The 300% increase in California FAIR Plan usage since 2018 reveals a significant market disruption that creates both challenges and opportunities for established insurers like Mercury.

What's most telling is Mercury's careful navigation of regulatory issues. By acknowledging Commissioner Lara's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the company signals its alignment with regulatory direction while highlighting the constraints of Proposition 103. This balanced approach helps position Mercury as a responsible market participant working within the system rather than fighting against it.

The release effectively frames Mercury as a solutions provider rather than just another carrier facing market challenges. By emphasizing customer education and risk mitigation rather than focusing on Mercury's own profitability challenges, the company appears customer-centric while still communicating the reality of rising costs. This messaging strategy allows Mercury to prepare customers for potential premium increases while maintaining goodwill.

Thousands of California Homeowners Are Underinsured

LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The devastation caused by January's Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires served as powerful reminders of how crucial it is for homeowners to have adequate insurance coverage. In addition to the emotional toll of losing a home, the financial burden can be overwhelming — particularly for those who discover their coverage falls short.

According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, a significant number of California policyholders are underinsured, meaning that they may not receive sufficient funds to rebuild a home comparable to the one they lost.

Equally concerning is data from LendingTree, which reveals that of the nearly eight million residences in California, 806,600 are completely uninsured — that's 10.5% of all homeowners in the Golden State. And in some counties, such as Lake, Kings and Humboldt, for instance, the rate is even higher.

"Being underinsured can turn a crisis into a financial disaster. Waiting until after a catastrophic event such as a wildfire to review your coverage is far too late," said Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "That's why it is essential to meet with your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure your policy reflects current replacement costs and risks."

The issue of underinsurance in California is shaped by a combination of evolving market dynamics and environmental challenges. Rising construction costs, the growing threat of wildfires, and shifts in the insurance market all contribute to a complex landscape for homeowners and insurers alike.

Here's a closer look at some of the key factors:

Rising Insurance Costs: In wildfire prone areas, premiums have increased in response to heightened risk and construction/materials costs. This can place financial strain on homeowners, and these insureds are most likely to allow their coverage to lapse or to underinsure their properties to lower their premiums.

Market Adjustments: Some insurance companies have scaled back their offerings in high-risk regions due to increased losses. As a result, some homeowners need to turn to alternatives such as the California FAIR Plan, which provides basic fire insurance coverage, when private options are unavailable. So, what was originally intended as a provider of last resort is now used by 4% of the state's homeowners, up 300% from 2018. Homeowners may need to supplement FAIR Plan policies with additional "wrap-around" policies for broader protection.

Increased Wildfire Risk: The growing frequency and severity of wildfires in California have made it more difficult — and costlier — to insure homes in certain areas. This has impacted both insurance availability and affordability.

Regulatory Constraints: Proposition 103, passed in 1988, requires insurers to base rates on historical losses. While designed to protect consumers by regulating how insurers set rates, it has also created challenges for insurers that need to adjust rates to account for evolving risks and rising rebuilding costs, which adds complexity to the current insurance landscape.

Policy Type Matters: Understanding the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost policies is crucial. The former may not cover the full cost to rebuild, while the latter aims to replace what was lost in today's dollars, up to the policy's limits.

What Can Homeowners Do?

Reducing wildfire risk on your property remains one of the most effective strategies. Creating defensible space, hardening your home, and taking other fire-mitigation measures can help lower your insurance costs — and may even qualify you for discounts.

But homeowners can't solve this issue alone. Broader efforts are also underway to improve the availability and affordability of insurance coverage in high-risk areas. 

"Fortunately, it's not all doom and gloom," added Butler. "The state is beginning to make meaningful changes. Last year, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduced California's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which supports more accurate pricing in wildfire-prone areas and aims to expand coverage options for homeowners who need it most." 

By staying informed, proactive, and working closely with their insurance providers, California homeowners can better protect their properties and financial futures — even in the face of growing environmental risks.

About Mercury Insurance

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states.  

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. 

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SOURCE Mercury Insurance

FAQ

What percentage of California homes are uninsured in 2025?

According to the press release, 10.5% of California homes (806,600 residences) are completely uninsured.

How has California FAIR Plan usage changed since 2018?

FAIR Plan usage has increased by 300% since 2018, now covering 4% of California homeowners.

What is Mercury Insurance (MCY) recommending for California homeowners?

Mercury Insurance recommends meeting with insurance agents annually to review policies and ensure coverage reflects current replacement costs and risks.

What solutions is California implementing for the insurance crisis?

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduced the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which supports more accurate pricing in wildfire-prone areas and aims to expand coverage options.

What factors are causing California's insurance coverage crisis?

Key factors include rising construction costs, increasing wildfire risks, insurance companies scaling back coverage in high-risk areas, and regulatory constraints from Proposition 103.