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Connecticut FAIR Plan

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What the Connecticut FAIR Plan is

The Connecticut Property Insurance Placement Facility, "also known as the CT FAIR Plan," was "established to conform to the Urban property Protection and Reinsurance Act of 1968" and Title 38a of the Connecticut General Statutes. FAIR stands for "Fair Access to Insurance Requirements."

State law directs the Insurance Commissioner to run a fire, liability and allied lines underwriting facility, and says all insurers licensed to write those lines "shall participate in the program." Under the state's regulations, each member insurer shares in the plan's writings, expenses, profits and losses in proportion to its Connecticut premiums, and "all liability of the FAIR Plan shall be assumed by its participating companies." A governing committee runs the plan, with the Insurance Commissioner (or a designee) as a nonvoting member.

The plan says it "is not intended to be competitive with the voluntary insurance marketplace" and is "designed to be used as a last resort to obtain basic property insurance."

We are not the Connecticut FAIR Plan and are not affiliated with it. We explain its published rules; the plan and your agent make the decisions. [1][8][9][10]

Who is eligible

The plan covers "property in Connecticut that is in insurable condition." Eligible property includes 1-4 family owner- or tenant-occupied dwellings, condominiums and row houses (habitational), and apartment buildings of 5+ units and business property (commercial).

Not eligible: vacant property that is not in the name of an estate or not under renovation, and farm property. A building vacant or unoccupied for 60 or more days (other than for renovation) doesn't meet the plan's standards.

The plan's standards say it may decline, cancel or not renew if, for example:

• there is substantial unrepaired damage;
• real estate taxes are unpaid for two years or more;
• heat, water or electricity are off for 30 days or more (when within your control);
• conditions dangerous to life, health or safety aren't fixed within a reasonable time;
• anyone with a financial interest in the property was convicted of fraud or arson;
• there is material misrepresentation, nonpayment, or a history of losses;
• there is an order to vacate or demolish, or the building was declared unsafe.

Liability coverage can be refused for hazards such as unfenced swimming pools, faulty stairs or handrails, or "vicious animals."

What the plan can't use against you: state regulations say "neighborhood or area location or any environmental hazard beyond the control of the property owner" are not acceptable reasons to decline, cancel or nonrenew.

The plan's FAQ says your agent "will help you decide whether you can get coverage elsewhere or qualify for the FAIR Plan." For owner-occupied homes, the application includes a Notice of Adverse Underwriting Decision (page 4) that must be completed. [3][7][8][9][11]

What it covers and what it doesn't

The plan writes "Standard fire insurance" on the Dwelling Property Basic Form (DP 00 01) for homes. It is "very basic named peril coverage, which does not include perils such as theft, freezing, water damage, etc.," and it pays "Actual Cash Value - not replacement cost." Actual cash value means replacement cost minus depreciation.

Other rules that matter:

- Deductibles for homes: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000. Vacant buildings under renovation, under construction or in an estate's name have a deductible of 5% of the building amount, at least $1,000. - Coastal homes: since Jan. 1, 2009, dwellings within 2,600 feet of the Connecticut shoreline have two deductibles: one for named perils and a separate 5% hurricane deductible for wind damage from a declared hurricane. - Lead: a lead exclusion is attached to all liability coverage except on one-family owner-occupied dwellings. - Dog bites: the plan can provide liability but exclude an animal that has bitten someone and is still on the premises, if you sign an acknowledgement form. - Condos: the plan has no "wrap around" condo policy; it adds an improvements and betterments endorsement to a dwelling policy. - No automatic reinstatement of limits after a loss. - The limits may be raised with the governing committee's approval, but never above $1,500,000 on any single risk.

Flood is not covered by these policies; for flood insurance see our sister site FloodHawk. [3][8][9]

Coastal homes: C-MAP

The plan administers the Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP), created "to assist homeowners living in Connecticut coastal areas who have been unable to obtain insurance." The plan's C-MAP documents (some from 2008) describe a broader "stand-alone" DP-2 policy for owner-occupied 1-4 family homes within 2,600 feet of the coast that were nonrenewed, conditionally renewed or cancelled for a reason other than nonpayment, are being bought, or are already with the FAIR Plan. The home also needs central heating and circuit-breaker electrical service:

• Coverage A up to $500,000 (at least 80% of replacement cost) and personal property up to $350,000;
• broad theft coverage and personal liability up to $300,000;
• a mandatory 5% hurricane deductible and an all-other-perils deductible of at least $500;
• flood insurance required in flood zones A or V.

Applications go through an agent, with a copy of the termination notice (or proof of purchase), and must reach the plan at least 15 days before the requested start date; a $500 down payment is due within 7 days of submitting. If no payment comes with the application, the plan quotes or declines, and coverage starts when the full premium is received. Ask the plan's C-MAP administrator at (860) 528-9546 whether these terms are still current. [11][12][13][14][15]

How to apply

1. Talk to an agent. "Contact any licensed Connecticut producer or insurance agent. If they do not have an account with us, they contact us and easily get one." The plan is "unable to write policies Direct-to-Consumers." The agent acts as your representative, not the plan's, and cannot bind coverage. 2. Sign the application. The ACORD 66 CT application must be "properly completed, signed, and dated by the applicant." Vacant properties need a vacancy questionnaire; companies, trusts and partnerships need a corporate questionnaire. 3. Inspection. The property is inspected "without cost to the applicant," with the owner or a representative present and full access to the building. If the inspector can't reach you or you miss the appointment, the plan "will decline, cancel or non-renew." 4. Quote or decline within 20 days. The plan has 20 days from a complete, signed application to send a quote or a declination. A quote is mailed to the agent only and is valid for 60 days. Any "condition charges" are listed separately and can be removed after the conditions are fixed and reinspected. 5. Pay to start coverage. "Coverage will become effective upon receipt of the total annual premium." State rules add a safeguard: if, through no fault of yours, the plan hasn't offered or denied coverage within 20 days and you have paid the estimated annual premium, coverage starts automatically on the 21st day. [2][7][8][9][11]

Paying, renewals, claims and changes

- Payment: the full annual premium must be received before a policy is issued, and "We do not have a payment plan." Premium finance companies are accepted with a copy of the finance agreement. Since July 2025 you can pay online by card (3.5% fee) or bank transfer ($5 fee); checks by mail still work. - Mortgage lenders: the plan does not bill mortgagees or mail them renewal quotes. You must tell your lender a payment is due. - Renewal is not automatic. A renewal quotation is mailed 60-90 days before expiration. It must be signed and returned with the full premium by the expiration date or "coverage will lapse." If you pay within 60 days after expiration, the new policy starts the day the plan receives payment; after that you need a new application. - Claims: call (860) 528-9546 or send the plan's loss notice form by fax to (860) 282-0070 or by email. The plan's manual says it is not open weekends and has no 24-hour phone line; its website says a recorded message on long holiday weekends tells you who to contact in emergencies. - Changes: use the Request for Endorsement form. Changes take effect only after the plan approves them. A new owner must apply for a new policy. [1][2][4][5][9][11]

If the plan turns you down or drops you

A declination must be in writing and state the conditions that make the property uninsurable and what, if anything, would make it insurable. The plan must give at least 60 days' notice before it won't renew, 10 days before cancelling for nonpayment, and at least 5 days for some serious reasons (such as long vacancy, a fraud or arson conviction, abandonment, or a demolition order).

Appeals: you may appeal any adverse decision in writing to the plan's general manager within 30 days of the date it was mailed. The manager must decide within 15 days. You can then appeal to the Insurance Commissioner within 30 days of the manager's decision. Send appeals to: General Manager, Connecticut FAIR Plan, 77 Hartland Street, Suite 308, East Hartford, CT 06108-3260. [8][9]

Recent changes

- July 2025: online bill pay by credit card or ACH bank transfer added. - April 2025: the plan reported that "an error was identified in previously issued audited financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2023," and posted details of the restatement. - Nov. 1, 2023: the plan's post office box was discontinued; mail goes to 77 Hartland Street, Suite 308, East Hartford, CT 06108-3260.

The plan's website did not post a policy count or recent rate changes as of Oct. 13, 2026. [1]

Getting back to a regular insurer

The plan's manual tells agents to "Always try to get coverage with a standard insurance company where better coverage may be obtained," to check with excess and surplus lines brokers for "more appropriate coverage," and that "The FAIR Plan should be your last resort." Because the plan doesn't renew automatically, each renewal is a good time to ask your agent to shop the regular market. See our surplus lines guide. [4][9]

Help

- Connecticut FAIR Plan: (860) 528-9546, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; 77 Hartland Street, Suite 308, East Hartford, CT 06108-3260. - Complaints about an insurer or agent: Connecticut Insurance Department, (800) 203-3447 or file a complaint online. - Your rights if a regular insurer drops you: Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut. [2][16]

Questions people ask