Two Home Claims in 6 Months? Next Steps in California

Two insurance claims in 6 months can be one reason an insurer decides not to renew a California home policy, and state law gives you time to respond. Under California Insurance Code section 678, an insurer that will not renew must send a notice of nonrenewal 75 days before the policy expires, and that notice must state the reason. You can use that time to ask questions, check your claims report, and shop.

Picture a homeowner in Ontario who filed a water leak claim in the spring and a wind damage claim in the fall, then received a nonrenewal notice. This guide covers the notice rules, claims reports, the FAIR Plan, and future small claims.

What California Law Says About Nonrenewal Notices

CDI's 2026 annual notice of significant California laws for residential property policies summarizes section 678. An insurer must deliver either an offer of renewal 45 days before the policy expires, or "a notice of nonrenewal 75 days prior to the expiration that states the reason or reasons for the nonrenewal".

The notice also comes with information. For policies expiring on or after July 1, 2021, the notice of nonrenewal must include added language that "refers insureds to the Department's California Home Insurance Finder and the California FAIR Plan".

Two Insurance Claims in 6 Months: Your First Steps

CDI's Top Ten Tips for Finding Residential Insurance lays out a clear order of steps. The first: "If you get a nonrenewal notice, contact your insurer and ask if there are any specific actions you could take to mitigate your risk and retain your coverage."

1. Call your insurer. Ask what led to the decision and whether repairs or upgrades could change it.
2. File a complaint if needed. CDI says: "If you think your nonrenewal was unfair, you may file a complaint with us."
3. Start shopping right away. CDI advises: "Don't let these actions delay starting your search for a new insurer."
4. Compare options. CDI says you can use its Homeowner Premium Comparison Tool and Homeowner Coverage Comparison Tool "to compare premiums and coverages".
5. Widen the search. If your agent cannot find coverage beyond the FAIR Plan, CDI says "you or your agent should contact other agents and brokers who represent other insurers".

CDI also mentions the non-admitted, or surplus lines, market: "Ask your retail agent or broker if they are able to obtain coverage with a surplus lines insurer." For live help, CDI's toll-free number is 1-800-927-4357.

If you still have a claim open while this happens, our guide on whether coverage can be canceled while a claim is still open covers that situation.

Check Your CLUE Report

Insurers share claims information. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains: "There are specialty consumer reporting agencies that collect and report information about the insurance claims you have made on your property and casualty insurance policies, such as your homeowners and auto policies."

One of these is the LexisNexis C.L.U.E. report. According to the CFPB's listing, it can include "up to seven years of auto insurance claims, as well as seven years of home insurance and personal property claims". The CFPB adds: "This company will provide one free report every 12 months if you request it."

LexisNexis explains how on its FACT Act consumer disclosure page: "The FACT Act entitles you to obtain one free copy of your applicable consumer report from certain consumer reporting agencies during a 12-month period." You can request it online, by phone, or by mail. If you find an error, the CFPB says: "You can then ask for corrections of any errors in the report."

If an insurer takes adverse action based on a consumer report, the Federal Trade Commission's guidance for insurers says the notice must include the reporting agency's contact details and your right to a free report from that agency "within 60 days, if the person asks for it".

The FAIR Plan as a Last Resort

The California FAIR Plan describes its purpose this way: "The California FAIR Plan Association was established to meet the needs of California homeowners unable to find insurance in the traditional marketplace."

CDI's tips explain the limits. "The maximum limit written by the FAIR Plan on a residential property for all coverages combined is $3,000,000." CDI also notes that FAIR Plan coverage "is limited to losses caused by Fire or Lightning, Internal Explosion and Smoke," and recommends pairing it with a Difference in Conditions policy for other perils. Our guide on whether a lender's FAIR Plan requirement is enough goes deeper.

Should You File Small Claims in the Future?

Claims history is one factor insurers weigh. A 2024 CNBC Select guide lists "You've made too many claims" among possible reasons for nonrenewal. It also says: "Not being renewed doesn't mean you can't get insurance from another carrier or that you'll have to pay higher premiums."

Before filing, compare the loss with your deductible. The Insurance Information Institute's guide on how to file a homeowners claim says: "If your loss is lower than your deductible, you probably won't want to go through the claims filing process." The National Association of Insurance Commissioners adds: "If the damage is minor, you might decide you're better off paying for the repairs out of pocket."

From Riverside to Fontana to Sacramento, the basics after damage are the same. Triple-I advises: "Photograph or videotape the damage, then take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage." It also recommends that you "Save receipts for what you spend".

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice must a California insurer give before nonrenewal?

Under Insurance Code section 678, as summarized by CDI, an insurer must send a notice of nonrenewal 75 days before the policy expires, and the notice must state the reason or reasons.

How long do claims stay on a CLUE report?

The CFPB says LexisNexis C.L.U.E. reports can include up to seven years of home insurance and personal property claims. You can get one free report every 12 months by request.

Can anyone get the California FAIR Plan?

CDI says the FAIR Plan "is available to every homeowner as a last option for coverage". CDI says the basic FAIR Plan policy covers fire or lightning, internal explosion, and smoke (the FAIR Plan offers some optional coverages at extra cost), with a combined maximum of $3,000,000 on a residential property, so CDI recommends a Difference in Conditions policy for other perils.

Should I file a claim for small damage?

Triple-I says that if your loss is lower than your deductible, you probably won't want to file. The NAIC notes that for minor damage, you might decide to pay out of pocket.

Reviewing Your Options

California requires the nonrenewal notice to be sent at least 75 days before your policy expires. At Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas, we help California homeowners review their claims history, compare available options, and understand what a new policy would cover. Coverage depends on the policy, and our housing advice library has more homeowner guides. Get a free quote and coverage review with our team.

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Written by LaMonte Douglas, owner of Young Douglas Insurance, a Farmers Insurance agency serving California from Ontario. CA License #4091974.

Sources (accessed September 23, 2026): California Department of Insurance: 2026 Annual Notice of Significant California Laws, Residential Property (January 9, 2026); Top Ten Tips for Finding Residential Insurance. California FAIR Plan: About, Dwelling Policy. CFPB: Do insurers share claims information?; LexisNexis C.L.U.E.. LexisNexis FACT Act Disclosure. FTC, Consumer Reports: What Insurers Need to Know. Insurance Information Institute, How to File a Homeowners Claim. NAIC, What You Need to Know When Filing a Homeowners Claim. CNBC Select (April 9, 2024).

Last updated: September 23, 2026.