Marin Homeowners Insurance Guide
Wildfire, flood and the FAIR Plan: what buyers need to know before writing an offer
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
The short answer: yes, Marin homes are still being insured every day, but start early. Many homes qualify for a standard policy. In higher-risk areas, buyers use the California FAIR Plan for fire plus a “Difference in Conditions” (DIC) policy for everything else. Get quotes during your contingency period, not after you close.
Insurance has become one of the most important parts of buying a home in Marin, and it’s the question I now raise with every buyer before we write an offer. The good news: homes here are still being insured every day. You just need to start early and know how the system works. I’m not an insurance agent, so always get quotes from a licensed broker.
Why it’s harder than it used to be
CAL FIRE’s 2022 fire hazard map, the first major update since 2007, moved large parts of Marin into High and Very High hazard zones, and local-area maps were updated again in 2025. Several major insurers have pulled back from writing new policies in higher-risk parts of California. Near the Bay, flood zones and sea-level rise add a second layer.
How buyers are getting covered
- A standard policy where available. Many Marin homes still qualify, especially in lower-risk areas.
- The California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, which covers fire, usually paired with a “Difference in Conditions” (DIC) policy for everything else, such as liability, water damage and theft.
- Discounts for home hardening. California’s “Safer from Wildfires” framework rewards ember-resistant vents, Class A roofs, defensible space (including the 0 to 5 foot “Zone 0”) and Firewise USA community membership.
- Flood insurance through FEMA’s NFIP or private carriers for homes near the Bay.
What I tell every buyer
- Get an insurance quote during your contingency period, not after you close.
- Ask the seller for their current policy, carrier and premium.
- Check the property’s fire hazard zone and flood zone before you fall in love.
- Budget realistically. Fire Safe Marin notes rebuild costs in Marin can exceed $500 per square foot, and your coverage should reflect that.
- Insurers must give 75 days’ notice before non-renewal, so you won’t be dropped without warning.
Local programs
Voters approved Measure C in 2020, a parcel tax of up to 10 cents per square foot of building area that funds the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority’s vegetation management, defensible-space inspections and evacuation work. (Tiburon and Belvedere are not part of the MWPA.) Fire Safe Marin offers free resources, and many neighborhoods have Firewise USA groups.
Where risk tends to be higher and lower
Homes bordering open space, in canyons and on wooded hillsides typically face more wildfire scrutiny. Low-lying areas near the Bay, including parts of Belvedere, Tiburon, Corte Madera and San Rafael, face more flood scrutiny. Every town guide on this site includes a “What buyers should know” section with specifics.
Quick answers
Can you still get homeowners insurance in Marin? Yes. Many Marin homes still qualify for a standard policy, especially in lower-risk areas. Others are covered by the California FAIR Plan plus a DIC policy.
What is the California FAIR Plan? The state’s insurer of last resort. It covers fire and is usually paired with a Difference in Conditions policy for liability, water damage, theft and other risks.
When should buyers get an insurance quote? During your contingency period, before you’re committed. Ask the seller for their current policy, carrier and premium, and check the fire and flood zones first.
How can you lower wildfire insurance costs? California’s “Safer from Wildfires” framework rewards ember-resistant vents, Class A roofs, defensible space (including the 0 to 5 foot “Zone 0”) and Firewise USA community membership.
Financing in Marin. Many Marin homes need jumbo financing: the 2026 conforming limit here is $1,249,125, so with 20% down, homes above about $1.56 million usually mean a jumbo loan. My husband Michael DiVita is a mortgage broker and owner of DiVita Home Finance, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders, and he’s a great resource for jumbo and bank-statement loans. Learn more at mycahomeloan.com.
Disclosure: Michael DiVita is my husband. You are free to choose any lender; using DiVita Home Finance is never required, and I receive no referral fee.
Sources
Worried about insurance on a specific home?
Send me a note through my contact form. I’ll help you check fire and flood zones before you make an offer, and connect you with local insurance brokers.