Farmers Insurance Wildfire Insurance Review
Major national carrier that is re-opening its California appetite.
Reviewed by Tom Hunt, Wildfire Risk Expert
Editorial independence: This is an independent review compiled from public information. FireRisk.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or paid by Farmers Insurance, and earns no commission from Farmers Insurance. Any ratings, prices, or performance figures are attributed to their source and have not been independently verified by us — always confirm current details directly.
Founded
1928
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Financial strength
A (Excellent)
Channel
National admitted carrier
A large national homeowners carrier that is cautiously re-expanding in California.
FireRisk.ai rating
Our editorial scores for a wildfire-exposed home — appetite weighted heaviest. Not a financial rating; not carrier-supplied. See how all carriers rank →
Wildfire appetite & overview
Farmers capped the number of new policies it would write in California during the crisis and tightened WUI underwriting, but has since signaled it is "eyeing California favorably." In late 2024 it reopened condo, renters and umbrella lines and raised its cap on new homeowners policies to 9,500 per month (from 7,000). Its specialty arm Foremost writes some non-standard and dwelling-fire risks. Appetite still varies sharply by ZIP.
Strengths
- +Large national footprint
- +A (Excellent) financial strength
- +Re-expanding California capacity (9,500 new home policies/month)
- +Foremost arm for non-standard / dwelling fire
- +Bundle discounts
Watch-outs
- –Earlier capped new California business during the crisis
- –Tighter WUI underwriting remains
- –Appetite varies by ZIP
- –Not a sure thing in the hardest hazard areas
Exclusions & limitations
Items that a standard homeowners policy — including Farmers Insurance's — typically does not cover. Verify with your agent before binding.
- ✕Land and soil — the value of the land beneath your home is never covered; only the structure and its contents.
- ✕Vehicles — cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are covered by your auto policy, not your home policy, even if destroyed in a wildfire.
- ✕Jewelry, art, and collectibles above sub-limits — standard policies cap payouts for valuables; a scheduled-property rider or floater is required for full value.
- ✕Business property and equipment — commercial inventory, business computers, and tools kept at home are typically excluded or capped.
- ✕Flood damage — water used to fight a wildfire (aerial drops, hydrant streams) can cause significant structural damage that a standard fire policy does not cover; a separate flood or DIC policy is needed.
- ✕Ordinance or law upgrades — if local codes require upgrading electrical, plumbing, or structural systems during a rebuild, those costs may not be covered without an ordinance-or-law endorsement.
Mitigation discounts & what saves you money
These are the hardening steps most widely recognized across the wildfire insurance market — including by Farmers Insurance where applicable.
- Class A roof: The highest fire-resistance rating for roofing materials — one of the most impactful factors in wildfire underwriting and pricing.
- Defensible space: Clearing and maintaining at least 30–100 feet of vegetation around the structure; required by law in many states and rewarded by virtually every carrier.
- Firewise USA community: Homes in NFPA-recognized Firewise communities often qualify for a documented discount at several carriers (USAA, AAA/CSAA, and others).
- Ember-resistant vents and screens: Vents are a primary ember-entry point; 1/8-inch or finer metal mesh screens meaningfully reduce ignition risk and are a common underwriting credit.
- Ignition-resistant siding and windows: Non-combustible or ignition-resistant exterior cladding and dual-pane or tempered-glass windows reduce heat and ember vulnerability and signal a hardened home to underwriters.
See also: how to improve your odds of being written — the Farmers Insurance-specific steps are in the qualifying section below.
What it costs
Farmers’ pricing tracks the broader hardening market; the meaningful change has been expanded capacity rather than a single headline rate move.
How to improve your odds of being written
- 1Be in a moderate-risk ZIP
- 2Ask about Foremost for non-standard or dwelling-fire situations
- 3Bundle to improve pricing and acceptance
How to apply — step by step
The typical process for getting Farmers Insurance coverage. Exact steps vary by state and distribution channel.
- 1Get a quote online or through an agent. Farmers Insurance sells through agents — find a Farmers Insurance-appointed agent in your area and request a homeowners quote, or visit the carrier's website if online quoting is available.
- 2Provide your home details. Be ready with your home's square footage, year built, roof type and age, construction material, distance to the nearest fire station, and any hardening features (ember-resistant vents, defensible space clearance, Class-A roof, ignition-resistant siding). More detail means a more accurate quote and fewer surprises at underwriting.
- 3Schedule an inspection if required. Higher-value homes and high-hazard ZIPs commonly trigger an in-person or virtual inspection before coverage is bound — especially at Farmers Insurance. Have documentation of recent upgrades (permits, photos, receipts) ready to share.
- 4Review, then bind coverage. Read the declarations page carefully: confirm your dwelling limit covers a full rebuild at current labor and material costs, check the loss-of-use and personal-property sub-limits, and ask about any wildfire-specific exclusions or endorsements. Once you're satisfied, pay the first premium installment and your coverage is in force.
Recent developments
What's changed lately — dated so you can judge how current it is.
Reopened California condo, renters and personal-umbrella lines and raised its new-homeowners cap to 9,500 policies/month (from 7,000), signaling a more favorable California stance.
Best for
Homeowners in moderate-risk areas; existing Farmers bundlers.
How to get a quote
Through Farmers agents nationally; Foremost via independent agents for non-standard risks.
Bottom line
Reasonable in moderate-risk areas and increasingly worth a quote as it re-expands, but still not a guaranteed answer for the hardest California WUI ZIPs.
Compare Farmers Insurance against carriers that fit your ZIP
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Farmers Insurance wildfire insurance FAQ
Does Farmers Insurance cover homes in high fire-risk areas?
Farmers capped the number of new policies it would write in California during the crisis and tightened WUI underwriting, but has since signaled it is "eyeing California favorably." In late 2024 it reopened condo, renters and umbrella lines and raised its cap on new homeowners policies to 9,500 per month (from 7,000). Its specialty arm Foremost writes some non-standard and dwelling-fire risks. Appetite still varies sharply by ZIP.
Is Farmers Insurance financially strong enough to pay a wildfire claim?
Farmers Insurance carries an AM Best financial-strength rating of A (Excellent), indicating its assessed ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations. Ratings can change, so confirm the current rating before buying.
Who is Farmers Insurance best for?
Homeowners in moderate-risk areas; existing Farmers bundlers. Reasonable in moderate-risk areas and increasingly worth a quote as it re-expands, but still not a guaranteed answer for the hardest California WUI ZIPs.
What does Farmers Insurance cover in a wildfire?
A standard Farmers Insurance homeowners policy covers direct fire and smoke damage to the dwelling structure, attached structures (like a garage), personal property inside the home, and loss of use — meaning additional living expenses if you're displaced by an evacuation order or because the home is uninhabitable. Debris removal is typically included, though it may be a sub-limit. Always confirm the specific endorsements and coverage limits on your quote, as policy terms vary by state and product.
How do I qualify for Farmers Insurance's best wildfire rate?
The biggest factors that influence your rate and eligibility with Farmers Insurance are your home's location (ZIP-level wildfire hazard score), the construction type and age of your roof, the amount of defensible space you maintain, and whether your home has ember-resistant vents, ignition-resistant siding, and dual-pane or tempered windows. Documenting and demonstrating those hardening steps — and mentioning any Firewise USA community membership — will put you in the best position for the lowest available rate. Bundling auto with home is also a common discount where Farmers Insurance offers both.
What's not covered by Farmers Insurance's standard policy?
Like almost all homeowners policies, a standard Farmers Insurance policy does not cover land value, vehicles (covered by auto insurance), flood damage including water dropped or pumped during firefighting, or jewelry and art above sub-limits without a scheduled-property endorsement. Business property and ordinance-or-law rebuild upgrades may also be excluded or capped. If you're pairing Farmers Insurance with a California FAIR Plan, add a Difference-in-Conditions (DIC) policy to fill the liability, water, and theft gaps.
Disclosure: This is an independent, research-based editorial review. FireRisk.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Farmers Insurance. The company name and any AM Best rating are used for identification and comparison only. This is not insurance or financial advice, and we are not a licensed insurance agency. Availability, appetite, ratings, and pricing change and vary by ZIP and home — verify everything directly with the carrier before purchasing. We may be compensated when you request quotes through a partner.