Connecticut FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does Connecticut have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. Connecticut's FAIR Plan is the Connecticut FAIR Plan (Connecticut Property Insurance Placement Facility), official site www.ctfairplan.com ↗. It exists as the insurer of last resort for property owners who can't get coverage in the standard ("admitted") market.

What does it cover?

Very basic named-peril property coverage on ISO Dwelling Fire form DP 00 01 (basic form). Standard perils: fire or lightning, internal explosion, plus Extended Coverage (windstorm/hail, explosion, riot/civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke) and Vandalism & Malicious Mischief (VMM available only if the policy includes Extended Coverage; VMM excluded if the property is vacant/unoccupied). Settlement is Actual Cash Value (NOT replacement cost). Does NOT cover theft, freezing, water damage, or personal liability. Does not cover flood. Eligible habitational property = 1-4 family owner- or tenant-occupied dwellings, condominiums and row houses; commercial/larger risks (5+ family apartments, mercantile, manufacturing) use ISO form CP 00 99. Dwellings within ~2,600 feet of the Connecticut shoreline carry TWO deductibles: the regular named-peril deductible AND a separate hurricane deductible equal to 5% of the Coverage A (building) limit.

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is $350,000 maximum Coverage A (dwelling/building) for 1-4 family dwellings; $75,000 maximum Coverage C (personal property/contents). No single risk may total more than $1,500,000 (building + personal property + other structures + endorsements) at any one location. For commercial property the building limit varies by construction type — from $200,000 (frame) to $1,000,000 (fire resistive) — with commercial contents up to $250,000 (fire resistive) / $200,000 (other), doubleable for sole occupancy. Habitational deductibles run $250-$10,000; commercial $500-$75,000. (Connecticut FAIR Plan, verified 2026-05-12).

Who is eligible?

Available to any person with an insurable interest in eligible Connecticut property who has been unable to obtain coverage on insurable property through the normal market; property must meet the plan's underwriting/condition standards. Vacant property is generally ineligible unless owned by an estate or under renovation; farm property is ineligible. Connecticut does not publish a fixed numeric 'declined by N carriers' test — the standard is a good-faith inability to obtain coverage in the voluntary market.

How do you apply?

Through a licensed Connecticut insurance producer/agent. The CT FAIR Plan does not sell directly to consumers. A producer submits the application (the dwelling new-business application requires a contractor's/appraiser's rebuild estimate if combined coverage exceeds a stated threshold). Consumer information at ctfairplan.com/consumers.html.

Need a broker who writes the CT FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

Generally more expensive than the standard market for substantially narrower coverage (named-peril, ACV, no theft/water/liability), and the $350K Coverage A cap means it often cannot fully insure a current-day shoreline home. Coastal CT FAIR Plan policies carry a 5%-of-Coverage-A hurricane deductible on top of the regular deductible. It is a last resort, not a price-competition fallback.

What is changing right now?

Connecticut's FAIR Plan is small — III FAIR-Plans-by-state reporting shows roughly 1,187 habitational policies (about 1,240 total including commercial) / ~$0.30B exposure. Pressure points: Long Island Sound shoreline towns (Fairfield, New Haven and New London counties) seeing voluntary-market carriers raise hurricane percentage deductibles, tighten roof-age and proximity-to-coast underwriting, and non-renew some shoreline homes — pushing some of those homeowners to the FAIR Plan or to C-MAP. No major rate or rule change to the FAIR Plan itself confirmed for 2025-2026; confirm the current policy count and any rule changes with the Connecticut Insurance Department / the plan's annual report.

Do you also need a wrap (DIC) policy?

typical (no named DIC product); brokers pair the FAIR Plan with a separate liability policy and supplemental coverages because the FAIR Plan has no theft, no water damage, and no personal liability

What to do this week if you just got a non-renewal notice

1. Read the notice fully. Note the cancellation date — that's your runway.
2. Call your current agent and ask why. Some non-renewals are reversible (a minor issue, a missed inspection); most aren't.
3. Get quotes from at least three other admitted carriers before going to the FAIR Plan. If you're rural / WUI / coastal you may strike out; that's normal.
4. If admitted carriers decline, contact a broker who writes the Connecticut FAIR Plan (Connecticut Property Insurance Placement Facility). They can submit on your behalf the same week.
5. Don't let coverage lapse. A lapse triggers force-placed insurance from your lender — much more expensive and worse coverage.

For the full playbook see I just got a non-renewal notice →