7 Home Insurance Companies Still Writing Policies in High-Risk States in 2026

“High-risk” now means two different problems. In Florida, Louisiana and coastal Texas the issue is hurricane price; in California it is wildfire availability. Insurance.com’s 2026 data put average premiums at $8,471 in Florida, $5,185 in Louisiana, $4,582 in Texas and $1,653 in California, against a national average of $2,872. California looks cheap until you try to buy a policy in a brush zone.

Which insurers are writing in Florida, California, Texas and Louisiana?

Sources: California Department of Insurance, Universal Insurance Holdings 10-Q, LiveInsuranceNews, FinanceDevil home insurer comparison, J.D. Power via Insurance.com. J.D. Power 2026 study average is 644. *USAA is not rank-eligible. Status as of October 30, 2026.

1. State Farm: Is the largest insurer finally reopening California?

Verdict: The broadest agent network across all four states, with California reopening only for wildfire-hardened homes.

AM Best: A+ for State Farm Fire and Casualty, its homeowners underwriter (FinanceDevil comparison, October 2026).

J.D. Power 2026: 665 overall (average 644) and 690 claims (average 702) (Insurance.com).

Complaints: 0.72 complaint ratio, below the 1.23 median (PlainInsurer, August 2026).

Sample premium: $2,536 to $2,760 a year nationally for the standard profile, September 2026; $3,693 in Texas (FinanceDevil comparison).

Where it is writing: Florida, Texas and Louisiana. In California, State Farm General filed on September 18, 2026 to write homes statewide that meet the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Enhanced standard, and Essential-standard homes in low and moderate fire zones.

Standout features: Rewards wildfire hardening in California; large local-agent footprint for claims help after storms.

US example: A Sacramento homeowner who completes IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Enhanced work could become eligible once the filing is approved, after more than three years of State Farm being closed statewide.

Best for: Gulf Coast owners who want an agent and Californians willing to harden their homes. Skip if: you need California coverage this month; the filing was still under review.

2. USAA: Is the top-rated insurer available to you?

Verdict: The strongest ratings in every state here, open only to the military community.

AM Best: A++ (FinanceDevil comparison).

J.D. Power 2026: 741 overall and 757 claims, reported outside the rankings because USAA is not rank-eligible (Insurance.com).

Complaints: 0.38, the lowest in this group (PlainInsurer).

Sample premium: $1,980 to $2,260 nationally; $2,254 in Texas for $300,000 of dwelling coverage (FinanceDevil comparison).

Where it is writing: All four states for eligible members. California regulators list USAA among insurers committed to stay and grow under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy.

Standout features: Consistently top satisfaction scores; bundles with USAA auto.

US example: In Texas, USAA’s $2,254 average was $1,439 below State Farm and less than half Allstate’s $4,549 for the same coverage.

Best for: Active military, veterans and eligible family members. Skip if: you are not eligible; membership rules decide, not price.

3. Farmers: Why is it back in California but gone from Florida?

Verdict: A California comeback carrier with add-on options, absent from Florida since 2023.

AM Best: A (FinanceDevil comparison).

J.D. Power 2026: 615 overall and 691 claims, both below average (Insurance.com).

Complaints: 1.67, the highest of the national names here (PlainInsurer).

Sample premium: $2,712 to $2,989 nationally, September 2026 (FinanceDevil comparison).

Where it is writing: California and Texas. Farmers left the Florida homeowners market in 2023 and sells homeowners coverage in about 40 states. California regulators list Farmers among insurers committed to grow under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy.

Standout features: Wide menu of optional coverages; active California outreach to homeowners in distressed areas.

US example: A Los Angeles County homeowner moved to the FAIR Plan after a non-renewal can ask a Farmers agent for an admitted policy, which usually covers more perils than the fire-focused FAIR Plan.

Best for: Californians trying to leave the FAIR Plan. Skip if: you live in Florida, or complaint levels weigh heavily for you.

4. Travelers: Does a top financial rating offset patchy availability?

Verdict: A++ strength and California growth, but expensive in Texas and thin in Florida.

AM Best: A++ (FinanceDevil comparison).

J.D. Power 2026: 614 overall and 700 claims (averages 644 and 702) (Insurance.com).

Complaints: 0.91 (PlainInsurer).

Sample premium: $2,460 to $2,594 nationally, but $6,696 in Texas for $300,000 of dwelling coverage (FinanceDevil comparison).

Where it is writing: Texas and California, where regulators list Travelers among insurers committed to grow under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy; limited Florida writing, mostly higher-value homes through agents.

Standout features: Top financial strength; strong for higher-value homes and through independent agents.

US example: Travelers’ Texas average was $4,442 above USAA’s for the same coverage, the widest spread in this group.

Best for: California owners who want an A++ insurer through an independent agent. Skip if: you are price-shopping in Texas.

5. Allstate: Is it worth waiting for its California return?

Verdict: Low national prices and Gulf Coast availability, with California still pending.

AM Best: A+ (FinanceDevil comparison).

J.D. Power 2026: 638 overall and 672 claims, the lowest claims score of the national carriers here (Insurance.com).

Complaints: 1.34 (PlainInsurer).

Sample premium: $2,279 to $2,448 nationally, the lowest of the big brands; $4,549 in Texas (FinanceDevil comparison).

Where it is writing: Texas, Louisiana and parts of Florida, where coastal applicants may not qualify. In California, Allstate submitted a Sustainable Insurance Strategy filing on August 31, 2026 to write new policies for the first time since 2022.

Standout features: Competitive national pricing and home-auto bundling.

US example: In Texas, Allstate’s $4,549 average was $856 above State Farm, so the cheapest national brand is not always cheapest locally.

Best for: Price-first shoppers in Texas and Louisiana. Skip if: claims experience is your top priority.

6. Mercury Insurance: Is California’s third-largest home insurer the best open door?

Verdict: California’s most committed growth carrier, with high complaint levels.

AM Best: A (Excellent) (FireRisk.ai review, June 2026).

J.D. Power 2026: Not among the ranked insurers in the 2026 national study tables we reviewed.

Complaints: Homeowners complaint index of 3.2, about three times the expected level, per LendingTree data cited by CoverageCat. This uses a different method than the ratios above.

Sample premium: Company-wide averages are not published in our sources; its approved 2025 California filing raised rates an average 6.9%. California’s state average is $1,653.

Where it is writing: California is its core. Regulators approved its Sustainable Insurance Strategy filing in December 2025, with a commitment to more than 38,000 new policies long term, starting with more than 6,000 over two years. Other states: check.

Standout features: Writes in some wildfire-distressed areas and takes FAIR Plan policyholders back into the admitted market.

US example: Mercury’s 38,000-policy pledge equals about 5.5% of the FAIR Plan’s June 2026 count: meaningful, but no single insurer can empty the FAIR Plan.

Best for: Californians in higher-risk ZIP codes looking for an admitted policy. Skip if: service complaints are a deal-breaker, or you live outside its footprint.

7. Universal Property & Casualty: Is Florida’s big private writer worth the service trade-off?

Verdict: Growing fast in Florida with lower rates, but weak satisfaction and complaint scores.

AM Best: Not rated by AM Best. Demotech reaffirmed its A rating on September 9, 2026, and Kroll Bond Rating Agency rates it A-.

J.D. Power 2026: 518 for Universal Direct, among the lowest scores in the 2026 study (average 644) (Insurance.com).

Complaints: Far more complaints than expected for its size, according to NerdWallet’s review of NAIC data.

Sample premium: Company averages are not published in our sources; Florida’s state average is $8,471. Universal filed for a 5.1% average Florida rate decrease.

Where it is writing: Writes in 19 states, resumed new homeowners writing in most of Florida, and grew Florida policies by 36,558 (6.5%) in the year to September 30, 2026, to 953,611 policies overall.

Standout features: Online quoting and claims; new water-damage coverage options in Florida.

US example: A Tampa homeowner leaving Citizens can get a Universal quote through an independent agent alongside Slide, American Integrity and other Florida carriers.

Best for: Florida homeowners who need admitted coverage and will shop on price. Skip if: claims service is your top concern; check complaint data first.

How do the four high-risk states compare in 2026?

Premiums: Insurance.com, September 2026, $300,000 dwelling profile. Residual markets: Citizens, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, TWIA, FAIR Plan data via Beinsure. Louisiana rate data: WWL.

Florida: who is writing now?

Florida’s market is in recovery. Citizens reported 294,894 policies in force on April 30, 2026, and the count later fell to about 270,000, with 21 carriers entering since the 2022 and 2023 reforms. The catch is the hurricane deductible: on a $300,000 home, a 2% deductible is $6,000 out of pocket before coverage starts.

California: who is writing now?

FAIR Plan growth slowed to 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest since 2022, as about 24,000 policies left in April and May. Admitted options are widening, but slowly.

Texas: who is writing on the coast?

Inland Texas has plenty of carriers, though at prices that rose 8.7% this year. The coast is different: TWIA held a record 286,251 policies as of March 31, 2026, and its annual report says just one private insurer was actively writing wind and hail in the 14 first-tier coastal counties. Most coastal owners buy a private policy that excludes wind, plus TWIA wind coverage.

Louisiana: is the market really improving?

Yes, slowly. Commissioner Tim Temple says more than 20 insurers have been licensed to write homeowners coverage since 2024, and the average rate change so far in 2026 is 0.1%, down from 14% in 2023. More than $100 million is now available for fortified roof grants, and Louisiana Citizens holds about 110,000 policies, versus about 35,000 before 2020.

How much does living in a high-risk state cost? A worked example

Calculations were verified in code using Insurance.com’s September 2026 averages for $300,000 of dwelling coverage.

Sources: Insurance.com; Texas company averages from FinanceDevil’s home insurer comparison. Factor premiums into total housing cost with the FinanceDevil Mortgage Calculator.

The takeaway: in a high-risk state, shopping matters more than anywhere else. The same Texas home can cost three times as much depending on the insurer, and Florida owners should budget for the hurricane deductible, not just the premium.

What should you do after a non-renewal in a high-risk state?

Start shopping the day the notice arrives. Ask an independent agent, who can quote several admitted carriers at once, before turning to the state insurer of last resort. Harden the home where it pays: IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home work in California and fortified roofs in Louisiana and Florida can open doors and lower premiums. Tell your mortgage servicer quickly, because a lapse can trigger expensive force-placed coverage; our guide to what lenders check before a refinance explains why proof of insurance matters at closing.

Comparing home and auto together? See the 10 biggest US car insurance companies compared, and for national rankings beyond high-risk states, read 8 Largest US Home Insurance Companies Compared for 2026.

Frequently asked questions about home insurers in high-risk states

Which home insurance companies are still writing in Florida in 2026?

State Farm, USAA for eligible members, Universal Property and many Florida-based carriers such as Slide and American Integrity are writing, while Allstate and Travelers write more selectively. Farmers left in 2023. Florida regulators report 21 carriers entering since the 2022 and 2023 reforms, so an independent agent can usually quote several.

Is State Farm writing new home insurance in California?

Not yet, as of late October 2026. State Farm General filed on September 18, 2026 to resume new homeowners business for homes meeting IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standards, but California regulators said the filing was still under review. Allstate filed a similar plan on August 31, 2026, and is also not yet open.

Which insurers are writing new home policies in California?

Mercury, CSAA (AAA), Farmers, USAA, Travelers and several smaller carriers have committed to stay and grow under California’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy. Availability still varies by ZIP code and wildfire risk, so ask a broker to check admitted carriers before applying to the FAIR Plan.

What is the most expensive state for homeowners insurance in 2026?

Florida, at $8,471 a year on average for $300,000 of dwelling coverage, according to Insurance.com’s 2026 data. That is nearly three times the $2,872 national average. Louisiana ($5,185) and Texas ($4,582) are also far above average, driven by hurricane and severe-storm losses.

What is the California FAIR Plan?

The FAIR Plan is California’s insurer of last resort for homes private carriers will not cover. It mainly covers fire, lightning, internal explosion and smoke, so owners often add a separate difference-in-conditions policy. It held about 696,562 policies in June 2026, though growth slowed to 1.9% in the second quarter.

What is TWIA and who needs it?

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association provides wind and hail coverage in 14 first-tier coastal counties and part of Harris County. Many coastal homeowners buy a private policy excluding wind and add TWIA. It held a record 286,251 policies as of March 31, 2026.

Is Louisiana home insurance getting cheaper?

It is stabilizing. The average homeowners rate change so far in 2026 is 0.1%, versus 14% in 2023, and more than 20 insurers have been licensed since 2024. Premiums remain high, averaging $5,185 for $300,000 of coverage, and coastal parishes still have fewer options.

Is Citizens Property Insurance still the largest insurer in Florida?

No. Citizens reported 294,894 policies on April 30, 2026, down about 79% from its 2023 peak of roughly 1.41 million, and later reports put it near 270,000. Its depopulation program moved hundreds of thousands of policies to private carriers, which now write most Florida homes.

Is a Demotech rating as good as an AM Best rating?

They measure financial stability differently. Many Florida carriers, including Universal Property, are rated by Demotech rather than AM Best, and mortgage lenders generally accept a Demotech A. Several Demotech-rated Florida insurers failed after 2022, so check the current rating, the company’s size and its complaint record.

How can I lower home insurance in a high-risk state?

Compare at least three admitted carriers through an independent agent, raise your deductible if you have savings to cover it, bundle home and auto, and invest in mitigation credits such as fortified roofs, wind mitigation inspections or IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation. In Texas, the same home varied by $4,442 between insurers.

What should I do if my home insurance is not renewed?

Shop immediately with an independent agent, ask your current insurer whether mitigation would change its decision, and notify your mortgage servicer so coverage never lapses. Use the state insurer of last resort only after private options fail, then keep shopping, since carriers in Florida and California are adding capacity.

Sources

1. California Department of Insurance, “Major California home insurers move to reopen for new business” (September 18, 2026)
2. California Department of Insurance, “Mercury Insurance and CSAA Expand Homeowners Coverage” (December 20, 2025)
3. California Department of Insurance, “FAIR Plan growth slows below 2%” (August 3, 2026)
4. California Department of Insurance, “Momentum continues to build under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy” (May 1, 2026)
5. Beinsure, “California insurers pledge new policies as FAIR Plan stays near 697,000” (2026)
6. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Policies in Force as of April 30, 2026
7. Insurance Business, “Citizens cuts policy count to 270,000 amid non-renewal push” (2026)
8. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, 2026 Annual Report
9. Insurance.com, “The states where home insurance is becoming unaffordable in 2026” (September 25, 2026)
10. WWL-TV, “Louisiana homeowners still face high insurance costs despite stabilizing rates” (August 2026)
11. Talk 107.3, “Louisiana Fortified Roof Program Gets $100 Million Boost” (September 23, 2026)
12. Universal Insurance Holdings, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 (SEC)
13. Insurance.com, “J.D. Power’s best and worst homeowners insurance companies for 2026” (September 2026)
14. PlainInsurer, “Worst and Best Homeowners Insurance Companies by Complaints” (NAIC MCAS data, August 2026)
15. LiveInsuranceNews, “Farmers Insurance Is Rebuilding After Years of Cuts” (2026)
16. CoverageCat, “Mercury Insurance Review” (2026)
17. NerdWallet, “Universal Property Homeowners Insurance Review 2026”
18. FireRisk.ai, “Mercury Insurance wildfire insurance review” (June 2026)