Glossary

Nonrenewal

An insurer's decision to end coverage at the end of the policy period by declining to offer another term, as opposed to ending it partway through.

Also called: non-renewal, notice of nonrenewal, policy not renewed

A nonrenewal happens when the insurer declines to renew your policy for another term. Coverage continues until the expiration date, then ends. It differs from a cancellation, which ends coverage during the policy period and is limited to specific reasons.

The insurer must usually send written notice a set number of days before expiration. The standard ISO form says 30 days, but state law and amendatory endorsements control, the required period varies widely, and some states allow nonrenewal only for certain reasons or require the insurer to state them. Reasons include roof age or condition, claims history, an exposure the insurer wants less of, such as wildfire or hurricane risk, or a decision to leave a state or a region.

If you receive a notice, act right away. Ask for the reason in writing, correct any error in the file, and request quotes from other insurers or an independent agent who can approach several. If the standard market declines you, state FAIR plans, wind pools and surplus lines insurers are fallbacks. Tell your mortgage company, since a gap can lead to force-placed insurance, which usually costs far more.

Our guide on what to do after a nonrenewal outlines your rights and next steps, and the nonrenewal action plan gives a checklist.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Renewal The insurer's continuation of your policy for another term, usually with a new premium and sometimes with changed deductibles, limits or conditions. Cancellation The ending of a policy before its expiration date, either by the homeowner at any time or by the insurer for reasons the policy and state law allow. Policy period The span between a policy's effective date and expiration date, usually 12 months, during which a loss must occur to be covered. FAIR plan A state pool, funded by the insurers doing business there, that sells basic property coverage to owners who cannot find it in the regular market. Surplus lines insurer An insurer not licensed in a state that may write risks the standard market declines, with freer rates and forms and usually no guaranty fund backing. Force-placed insurance Coverage a mortgage servicer buys on your home and bills to you when it believes your own policy has lapsed or falls short of loan requirements.

Related guides

Aerial imagery: how insurers inspect roofs from the sky How insurers use aircraft, satellite and drone images to judge roofs, where they mislead, what states have ruled, and how to contest a nonrenewal based on one. Bundling home and auto insurance: when it pays A bundle pays only if the combined price beats the cheapest separate policies at equal coverage. How multi-policy discounts work, and Texas's 2025 ban on tying. California's home insurance crisis Why California homeowners lost coverage, how the FAIR Plan became a major insurer, and what to do if you are dropped. Facts as of October 2026. Choosing a home insurance company: what actually matters How to choose a home insurer: whether it will write and keep your home, financial strength, claims record, coverage terms, price and company type. Claims-free discounts and when to skip a small claim How claims-free discounts are earned and lost, what a claim leaves on your CLUE record, and a way to weigh a small payout against the long-term cost. Climate change and home insurance: what's changing How wildfire, storms, flooding and heat, plus more homes in harm's way and costlier repairs, feed into premiums, deductibles and availability.

Related insurers

Alfa Insurance Montgomery mutual founded in 1946 by the Alabama Farmers Federation; Alabama's #2 home insurer, sold by Alfa agents in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Berkshire Hathaway's Wilkes-Barre small-business insurer, which sold homeowners policies through agents from 2018 and has been leaving the line since 2024. Donegal Insurance Group Marietta, Pennsylvania insurer founded in 1889, sold by independent agents; it has been shrinking its personal lines book since 2024 to protect margins. Lemonade App-only insurer founded in 2015 that sells homeowners, condo and renters policies online in about two dozen states; Demotech-rated, with a charity Giveback. Mutual of Enumclaw Washington mutual founded by Enumclaw farmers in 1898 that sells its Member's Best home and auto bundle through independent agents in seven Western states. Progressive Home Progressive's home insurer, the former ASI of St. Petersburg, Florida, sold online and by agents; Progressive also places home policies with partner carriers.

Related states

Maine Maine home insurance: a fragmented market led by State Farm, below-average premiums, strong nonrenewal protections, hurricane deductible rules and no FAIR plan. Montana Montana has no FAIR plan. State Farm and Liberty Mutual lead, premiums rose 74% from 2018 to 2024, and wildfire nonrenewals hit Ravalli and Flathead counties. New Hampshire New Hampshire home insurance: Liberty Mutual leads a crowded, low-cost market; insurers can't refuse a home on location alone, and there is no FAIR plan. North Dakota North Dakota home insurance: a small, hail-driven market led by State Farm and American Family, no FAIR plan, and a three-year minimum to sue. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania home insurance: State Farm and Erie lead, premiums run below average, nonrenewal rules are strict, and flood and mine subsidence cost extra. Rhode Island Rhode Island home insurance: Allstate and Amica lead, hurricane deductibles are capped at 5%, coastal homes are harder to insure and the FAIR plan is broad.

Related disasters

Oregon Wildfires (2026) Oregon's 2026 fires brought a state insurance emergency order: no cancellations, a premium grace period and extended claim deadlines through Oct. 29, 2026.

Related tools

Nonrenewal action plan Turn a nonrenewal notice into a dated plan: what to do now, where to look for coverage, and what your state offers when no private insurer will write you.