Two-thirds of wildfire survivors end up underinsured, according to Fire Safe Marin and United Policyholders.
In Marin County, where rebuilding costs start at $500 per square foot according to Fire Safe Marin's estimates, that gap can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The nonprofit published guidance on Friday, July 10, urging homeowners in Mill Valley, Tiburon, Corte Madera, and Larkspur to review their wildfire insurance policies before a fire forces the question. Writing in partnership with United Policyholders, Fire Safe Marin pointed to the 2017 North Bay fires as a cautionary example: nearly 9,000 structures destroyed, and many households left without enough coverage to fully rebuild.
What to ask your insurer
Fire Safe Marin says homeowners should call their insurer annually and ask whether coverage reflects the current size, features, and rebuilding cost of their home. Specific items to ask about include:
- Replacement cost coverage (not just actual cash value)
- Extended replacement cost coverage
- Building code upgrade coverage
- Coverage for detached structures and valuables
- Temporary living expense limits
- Personal property/contents coverage
The organization also recommends making a home inventory using video, photos, or downloadable spreadsheets from United Policyholders. Under California law, insurers must automatically pay 60% of contents coverage, up to $350,000, after a total loss in a declared emergency without requiring a detailed inventory. But collecting full coverage still requires documentation.
Why it matters now
The guidance arrives during an active fire season in Southern Marin. PG&E cut power to more than 2,000 meters in Mill Valley on Wednesday, July 15, its first Public Safety Power Shutoff in Marin County since 2021, according to PG&E filings with the state. Wind gusts of 26 mph were recorded at Mount Tamalpais that afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, and the shutoff affected Blithedale Canyon, Cascade Canyon, Middle Ridge, and Muir Woods Park neighborhoods.
"Public safety is our No. 1 priority," Steven Torrence, director of the Marin County Office of Emergency Management, said in the county's July 14 news release announcing preparations for the shutoff. "We will focus our unified efforts to ensure the safety and security of our community members."
If your insurer drops you
California law requires insurers to give at least 75 days' written notice before a policy expires if they choose not to renew, and they must explain why. After a declared wildfire emergency, insurers may be prohibited from canceling policies for one year if the property is in or adjacent to a fire perimeter ZIP code.
For homeowners who cannot find coverage on the private market, the California FAIR Plan provides fire insurance as a last resort. Fire Safe Marin recommends FAIR Plan policyholders also look into a Difference in Conditions policy to fill coverage gaps, since the FAIR Plan does not include all protections found in a traditional homeowner policy.
Statewide insurance costs climbing
A Stanford University Climate and Energy Policy Program study released in June 2026 found that the average California homeowner pays 84% more per year for home insurance than in 2020. The share of California homes on the FAIR Plan surged to roughly 5%, up from less than 2% in 2020.
Resources
Residents can reach Fire Safe Marin at firesafemarin.org, request a Wildfire Risk Home Evaluation through marinwildfire.org, or contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-HELP. For emergency alerts, sign up at AlertMarin.org or text ENROLL to 97633 for PG&E shutoff notifications.
