District of Columbia FAIR Plan: what it covers, what it costs, who qualifies

Does District of Columbia have a FAIR Plan?

Yes. District of Columbia's FAIR Plan is the District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility (DCPIF), official site www.dcpif.org ↗. 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?

Two programs: (1) Dwelling Fire — ISO form DP 00 01 (basic form); (2) Homeowner forms HO 00 02 (Broad Form Dwelling), HO 00 04 (Tenants), HO 00 06 (Condominium Owners), HO 00 08 (Modified Coverage Form). Commercial uses ISO CP 00 99. Covered perils on the dwelling-fire / commercial forms: FIRE OR LIGHTNING; EXTENDED COVERAGE (windstorm, hail, explosion, riot, civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke); VANDALISM & MALICIOUS MISCHIEF (not available if the property is vacant or unoccupied). HO forms add the broad-form perils (and HO-8 the limited perils). 'Coverage is NOT provided for loss caused by other perils or for indirect loss.' THE FACILITY DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DAMAGE BY FLOOD. Commercial and dwelling properties cannot be written on the same policy. All properties are inspected to determine insurability.

How much will it cover?

The current cap on a single dwelling policy is Homeowners: maximum Coverage A (dwelling) is $455,000; maximum Coverage C (contents) is $227,500. Commercial and Dwelling Fire: maximum $1,500,000 (fire-resistive, masonry, or frame). No 'scheduled' policies are available; coverage is limited to the forms offered by the Facility. (District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility — Consumer Information Sheet (rev. 09-2022), verified 2026-05-11).

Who is eligible?

Available to individuals and businesses in the District of Columbia who are unable to obtain coverage through the voluntary insurance market. The property must meet the Facility's underwriting/condition standards — all properties are inspected, and the inspection may result in condition charges, exclusions, or cancellation of the immediate binder. To request coverage, a completed application is submitted with a copy of the cancellation/non-renewal statement from the present carrier plus required photographs (for HO-2/HO-8, front-and-rear photos of the dwelling plus photos of any outbuildings). D.C. does not publish a fixed numeric 'declined by N carriers' test in the consumer materials.

How do you apply?

Through a licensed District of Columbia insurance producer/agent. The DCPIF does not sell directly to consumers. Applications are obtained from dcpif.org or by contacting the Facility at 1-800-492-5670 (fax 410-244-7268). An applicant who needs coverage bound before the Facility issues its acceptance/declination may request an Immediate Binder (which requires the application, the estimated premium, the prior-carrier cancellation notice, and — for HO-2/HO-8 — photos). Producer information at dcpif.org/producer-information.

Need a broker who writes the DC FAIR Plan? →

How much does it cost?

Generally more expensive than the standard market for narrower coverage (dwelling-fire form is named-peril, no liability; HO forms broader but capped at $455K Coverage A and subject to inspection condition charges). A last resort, used mainly for older urban housing stock the voluntary market won't write.

What is changing right now?

The DCPIF is very small — III FAIR-Plans-by-state reporting shows roughly 116 habitational policies (about 134 total including commercial) / ~$71M exposure. The D.C. homeowners market is otherwise stable; the Facility exists mainly for older urban housing stock. DISB periodically adopts an updated DCPIF report/Plan of Operation. No major rate or rule change confirmed for 2025-2026; confirm the current policy count from the DCPIF report DISB publishes.

Do you also need a wrap (DIC) policy?

typical (no named DIC product) — the dwelling-fire form is narrow (named-peril, no liability), so brokers add a stand-alone liability policy; the HO forms are broader but still capped at $455K Coverage A

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 District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility (DCPIF). 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 →