State Farm New Policies in California (2026): Who Qualifies & What Ventura County Homeowners Should Do

If you've owned a home in Ventura County any time since 2023, you already know the insurance story: carriers pulled back, renewals disappeared, and a lot of good homeowners ended up on the California FAIR Plan with no real alternative. That's why the news about State Farm new policies in California matters so much. In September 2026, State Farm, the largest home insurer in the state, filed to start writing new homeowners policies again for the first time since May 2023. However, there's a major catch, and it will decide whether the news actually helps you.

I'm Zac Wasserman, a licensed REALTOR® with RE/MAX ONE (CA DRE# 02210760), and insurance now comes up in nearly every transaction I work on in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ojai and across the San Fernando Valley. In this guide, I'll break down what State Farm actually filed, who qualifies, what it means for buyers and sellers in escrow, and what I'd do right now if I owned a home here.

State Farm New Policies in California: What Actually Happened

On September 18, 2026, the California Department of Insurance announced that State Farm General filed a rule application to resume writing new homeowners policies. At the same time, Allstate filed its own plan to return to the market. You can read the department's full announcement in its September 2026 release on insurers reopening for new business.

In short, State Farm is proposing to write new California home policies again, but only for homes that carry an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation. Additionally, the filing is not approved yet. According to published reports, State Farm is targeting a December 2026 start, proposing a cap of about 7,500 new applications per year, and did not request a separate rate increase as part of this plan.

For context, State Farm insures roughly 15% of California homes. Therefore, even a limited reopening is significant. At the same time, 7,500 applications a year across an entire state is a very small door. As a result, most Ventura County homeowners should treat this as a positive signal rather than an immediate solution.

Who Qualifies for State Farm New Policies in California?

Importantly, a designation makes a home eligible to apply. It does not guarantee coverage. State Farm will still look at the property, the claims history, the replacement cost, and everything else a carrier normally underwrites.

Also keep in mind that this is about new customers. If you already have a State Farm policy, this filing does not change your existing renewal. In addition, State Farm previously moved to drop roughly 30,000 California customers, so many former policyholders will be watching closely to see whether they can get back in.

What Is an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Designation?

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is a nonprofit research group funded by the insurance industry. Its Wildfire Prepared Home program certifies homes that have been built or retrofitted to resist wildfire, especially embers, which cause most home ignitions during a fire.

Generally, the base designation focuses on the home itself and the first few feet around it. That typically includes:

Meanwhile, the higher designation goes further. According to reporting on the filing, it adds items such as noncombustible doors and decks and requires detached structures, like sheds, to be at least 30 feet from the main house. As a result, the higher tier is realistic for many newer homes and remodels, but it can be a real project for an older hillside property.

Because IBHS updates its standards, always check the current checklist on the IBHS site before you spend money. Furthermore, get the inspection scheduled early, since demand for certifications is likely to jump once the filing is approved.

Allstate Is Filing to Come Back Too

State Farm isn't the only carrier moving. According to the Department of Insurance, Allstate submitted a filing on August 31, 2026, signaling its intent to write new residential policies in California for the first time since 2022. Allstate's return is tied to the state's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the set of reforms that lets insurers use catastrophe models and reinsurance costs in their rates in exchange for writing more policies in wildfire-distressed areas.

So far, 12 insurance groups have filed or received approval under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy. Consequently, the California home insurance market is moving in the right direction for the first time in years. That said, neither the State Farm nor the Allstate filing is approved yet, and details can change during review.

What This Means for Ventura County Homeowners

Ventura County has lived through the Thomas Fire, the Woolsey Fire, and most recently the Mountain Fire in Camarillo and Somis. If you're in that area, my Mountain Fire rebuild update covers where things stand. Because of that history, large parts of the county sit in elevated fire hazard severity zones, including hillside neighborhoods in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Camarillo Heights, Ojai and Santa Paula.

Here's how I'd think about State Farm new policies in California based on where your home sits:

If you want the broader picture of how wildfire risk affects coverage here, start with my guide to wildfire insurance in Ventura County.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers in Escrow

In my experience, insurance is now one of the most common reasons a Ventura County escrow gets delayed. Buyers need a binder before they can fund a loan, and when the only option is the FAIR Plan plus a separate "difference in conditions" (DIC) policy, the costs can change a buyer's budget late in the process.

For a full breakdown of how the FAIR Plan and DIC policies work together, see my guide to home insurance and the FAIR Plan in Ventura and LA.

Thinking About Selling in Ventura County?

Find out what your home may be worth and whether insurance-related improvements could help position it more effectively for today's buyers.

Request Your Free Home Valuation

Should You Leave the California FAIR Plan Yet?

However, you should prepare. With the California FAIR Plan rate increase taking effect this fall, many homeowners are already paying more for less coverage. Consequently, if your home can qualify for a standard carrier, the savings could be meaningful. The Department of Insurance reports that FAIR Plan growth has slowed, although hundreds of thousands of Californians still depend on it.

My advice is simple. Keep your current coverage in place, start the designation process if your home is a good candidate, and have an independent broker ready to shop your policy the moment new options open. Also, while you're reviewing coverage, it's a good time to look at your earthquake insurance options, since standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquake damage.

How to Get Your Home Insurance-Ready: A 5-Step Checklist

Whether or not State Farm's reopening starts on schedule, these steps make your home easier to insure with any carrier:

Additionally, many of these upgrades also count toward the state's Safer from Wildfires discounts, so they can lower your premium even with your current carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Talk to a Local Ventura County REALTOR® About Insurance Before You Buy or Sell

Insurance is no longer a last-minute detail. It shapes what buyers can afford, how long escrow takes, and how a home should be prepared for market. Whether you're buying in Thousand Oaks, selling in Camarillo, or wondering whether your Simi Valley home can qualify for a standard carrier again, I'm happy to walk through it with you.

Ready to find out what your home is worth and how insurance could affect your sale? Contact Zac Wasserman at RE/MAX ONE, your local Ventura County real estate expert, to request your home valuation, or call 805.212.9147.

Know What Your Ventura County Home Is Worth

Get a personalized home valuation and a local market perspective on the improvements that may matter most before you sell.

Request Your Home Valuation

About the Author

Zac Wasserman, REALTOR®

Zac Wasserman is a licensed REALTOR® with RE/MAX ONE serving buyers and sellers across Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Oxnard and Ventura.

RE/MAX ONE

CA DRE# 02210760

30699 Russell Ranch Rd #100, Westlake Village, CA 91362

805.212.9147

ZacSellsCA@gmail.com

Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · LinkedIn

This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Details of the State Farm and Allstate filings may change during state review. Always confirm coverage with a licensed insurance professional.