Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026
In Connecticut, an insurer that won't renew your homeowners policy must give you at least 60 days' written notice and state the specific reason. After a policy has been in force 60 days, the insurer can cancel it mid-term only for nonpayment, fraud or misrepresentation, or a physical change that materially increases the hazard. If regular insurers turn you down, the Connecticut FAIR Plan sells basic fire coverage as a last resort, and the Connecticut Insurance Department takes complaints at (800) 203-3447. [1][2][3][4][5]
At a glance
- Mid-term cancellation (policy in force 60+ days)
- Only for nonpayment (10 days' notice), fraud or material misrepresentation, or a physical change that materially increases the hazard (30 days' notice) [2]
- Last-resort insurer
- Connecticut FAIR Plan (Connecticut Property Insurance Placement Facility) [4]
- Complaints
- Connecticut Insurance Department, (800) 203-3447 [5]
What homeowners insurance costs in Connecticut: average premium, 2023 $2,036 a year in Connecticut vs. $1,737 countrywide · 9th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)
On this page
- At a glance
- Connecticut's market right now
- If your insurer drops you
- Last resort: the Connecticut FAIR Plan
- Near the shore: the Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP)
- Discounts and hurricane deductibles
- Surplus lines
- Flood is separate
- Where to get help
- Questions people ask
- FEMA disaster history
- Hail, wind and wildfire
Connecticut's market right now
The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) has pushed back on several ways insurers drop homeowners:
- Roofs and aerial photos (March 19, 2024). The department told homeowners insurers it had reviewed complaints where insurers nonrenewed policies over roofs based on aerial images that "did not definitively show material roofing degradation or damage." Its position: cosmetic conditions such as "natural discoloration and streaking" do not support a nonrenewal, and insurers "must have evidence of material degradation of or damage to a roof." It added that ponding, incomplete patching or tarps on a roof "would generally support taking underwriting action." - Crumbling foundations. A department notice (first issued Oct. 6, 2015, last updated June 10, 2019) "directs that no insurer take any action to cancel or non-renew" a homeowners policy "as a result of a foundation found to be crumbling or otherwise deteriorating." - Rate increases. Under the "flex-rate" law, extended to July 1, 2030, an insurer's personal-lines rate filing can take effect when filed if the overall statewide change is no more than 6% and no territory goes up more than 15% within 12 months. Bigger changes go through the regular filing review.
Starting January 1, 2027, a new law (Public Act 26-69) requires your renewal bill to tell you, if your premium is going up, that you can ask for a "reasonable explanation" of the increase. The insurer must answer within 20 business days of your request, and must accept requests by mail, phone and email, according to the department's Bulletin PC-94-26.
In September 2026 the department launched a "Be Weather Ready" preparedness center. Earlier, the final report of its Severe Weather Mitigation and Resiliency Advisory Council (June 2025) recommended steps including "launching a grant program for IBHS Fortified Roofs." [8][9][10][11][12][13]
If your insurer drops you
Nonrenewal. Connecticut law says no insurer may refuse to renew a homeowners policy unless it sends "at least sixty days' advance notice of its intention not to renew," and the notice "shall state or be accompanied by a statement specifying the reason." The notice must go by registered or certified mail, mail with a certificate of mailing, U.S. Postal Service Intelligent Mail barcode tracking (added July 1, 2025), or electronically if you agreed to that. No notice is needed if you don't pay, or if you are moved to an affiliated company on the same terms.
The reason must be specific. The department's Bulletin PC-88 says reasons like "claims experience", "underwriting judgment" or "increase in hazard" are "unacceptable." If losses are the reason, the notice must list the loss dates, type and amounts paid. Notices that break Connecticut's rules "are considered invalid."
If the notice is late or missing, the law entitles you to a renewal "for a term of not less than one year," and you may cancel pro rata at the lower of the current or previous year's rate within 60 days of the renewal date.
Coverage cuts at renewal. If the insurer will renew on worse terms (lower limits, new exclusions or a higher deductible), it must send a conditional renewal notice the same way and with the same 60 days' notice. The insurer must mail or deliver your premium bill at least 30 days before the renewal date.
Cancellation mid-term. For a new policy in its first 60 days, the insurer must give 10 days' notice for nonpayment or 30 days' notice, with the reason, for anything else. After 60 days (or on a renewal policy), it may cancel only for nonpayment of premium (10 days' notice); fraud or material misrepresentation in getting the policy; or "any physical change in the covered property that materially increases a hazard" (30 days' notice for those two).
What insurers can't hold against you (Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316d):
- Losses from catastrophic events: declining, cancelling or nonrenewing "based solely on any loss incurred as a result of one or more catastrophic events" is prohibited. - Small claims and questions: cancelling, nonrenewing or raising your premium based solely on an inquiry, or a claim that paid under $500 or nothing, is prohibited, unless you had more than one paid non-catastrophe claim in the three prior policy years. - A former owner's claims, unless the risk that caused the claim "has not been mitigated." - Not having storm shutters: an insurer can't refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely for that reason.
A backup contact. Every homeowners policy must come with a form letting you name a third party (a relative, for example) to get copies of cancellation and nonrenewal notices.
If your insurer is leaving, you can also ask a licensed agent about the Connecticut FAIR Plan or, near the shore, C-MAP (below). [1][2][3][14][15][16]
Connecticut's FEMA disaster record since 2000
Federal disaster declarations for Connecticut, counted from FEMA's official declarations data. A "major disaster" declaration brings federal recovery aid; a "fire management" declaration helps pay to fight a wildfire that threatens homes.
Most recent
- Hawthorne Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2024-10-24
- Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides Severe Storm · Major disaster · declared 2024-09-20
- Remnants Of Hurricane Ida Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2021-10-30
- Tropical Storm Isaias Hurricane · Major disaster · declared 2021-01-12
- Severe Storms And Flooding Severe Storm · Major disaster · declared 2018-12-05
- Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-Line Winds Tornado · Major disaster · declared 2018-08-20
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, downloaded 2026-10-14. Each declaration counted once, however many counties it covers. Flood history and flood insurance: FloodHawk.
Hail, wind and wildfire in Connecticut
Hail, thunderstorm wind and tornado reports
Severe weather reports logged by the National Weather Service in NOAA's Storm Events Database, July 2025 to June 2026 (the latest 12 months NOAA has published), next to the yearly average for 2016 to 2025.
Largest hail in those 12 months: 1.75 inches, Windham County, July 3, 2025.
Most reports of 1-inch-plus hail, 2016–2025: Hartford (13), Litchfield (11), Tolland (11), New London (9), New Haven (8).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, downloaded October 14, 2026. NOAA adds each month about 75 to 90 days after it ends. Tornadoes are counted in NOAA's segments: one that crosses a county line counts once per county, and one that briefly lifts and touches down again can count twice. Reports depend on people seeing and reporting storms, so busier areas log more of them: these counts show how often storms are reported, not the risk to any one home.
Wildfire
Homes in Connecticut have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 22% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 22% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Of Connecticut's 1,546,887 buildings, 48% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 20% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 32% have minimal exposure.
Source: USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities (state data table updated April 15, 2026). The Forest Service says its ratings describe communities, not individual homes; they don't reflect work owners have done to lower their risk, and the tool isn't designed for insurance companies, which do their own wildfire assessments.
| Year | Fires | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60 | 127 |
| 2022 | 150 | 347 |
| 2023 | 499 | 297 |
| 2024 | 356 | 339 |
| 2025 | 256 | 548 |
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center annual reports (table "Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State and Agency", from the SIT/209 reporting system). Each year counts only the agencies listed for Connecticut in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.
Last resort: the Connecticut FAIR Plan
The Connecticut Property Insurance Placement Facility, "also known as the CT FAIR Plan," makes basic property insurance available "to applicants who have not been able to secure such insurance on insurable property through the normal insurance market." State law requires all insurers licensed to write these lines to take part.
What to know:
- You apply through any Connecticut-licensed producer (agent). The plan does not write policies directly to consumers. - Coverage is "very basic named peril coverage" at actual cash value (not replacement cost), and it does not include theft, freezing or water damage. - Limits are $350,000 for a 1-4 family dwelling and $75,000 for contents. Liability ($25,000 to $300,000) is available only on 1-3 family dwellings. - Homes within 2,600 feet of the Connecticut shoreline carry a separate 5% hurricane deductible. - The full annual premium must be paid before coverage starts; there is no payment plan.
Details are on our Connecticut FAIR Plan page. [4][17][18][19][20]
Near the shore: the Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP)
State law lets the Insurance Commissioner set up a coastal market assistance program for homes near the coast, and lets the commissioner require insurers that decline or won't renew a homeowners policy to tell you about it in writing.
C-MAP is administered by the Connecticut FAIR Plan. According to the plan's C-MAP eligibility sheet, it serves owner-occupied 1-4 family homes (or an owner-occupied seasonal one-family home) within 2,600 feet of the coast that were nonrenewed, conditionally renewed or cancelled for a reason other than nonpayment, are being purchased, or are currently with the FAIR Plan. Homes in flood zones A or V must have flood insurance, and the home needs central heating and circuit-breaker electrical service.
The "stand-alone" C-MAP policy is a broader DP-2 dwelling form with personal liability included: up to $500,000 on the house, up to $350,000 on personal property, liability up to $300,000, and a mandatory 5% hurricane deductible. Ask a Connecticut agent; applicants "must go to a producer or agent." Some of the plan's C-MAP documents date from 2008, so confirm current terms with the plan at (860) 528-9546. [6][7][21][22][23]
Discounts and hurricane deductibles
Storm shutters and impact glass. Every insurer writing homeowners policies in Connecticut "shall offer a premium discount" to a homeowner who submits proof of permanent storm shutters or impact-resistant glass. Ask your insurer how much it is; the law says it must be "based on sound actuarial principles."
Hurricane deductibles. Insurers may use a hurricane deductible instead of the overall policy deductible. It can apply only from the time the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for any part of Connecticut until 24 hours after the last warning ends (or after the storm is downgraded, whichever is earlier), and only if the hurricane brings maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph to any part of the state. See our hurricane deductible guide.
FORTIFIED roofs. On July 17, 2026, the department promoted IBHS's FORTIFIED Roof standard at a builders' event. Its June 2025 advisory council report recommended a FORTIFIED roof grant program, but neither document announces a state grant you can apply for. See our FORTIFIED roof guide. [13][15][24][25]
Surplus lines
If no regular (admitted) insurer will cover you, an agent may place you with a surplus lines insurer, a company not licensed in Connecticut but allowed to sell here through a surplus lines broker. Connecticut's nonrenewal law applies to them too: a surplus lines insurer must follow the nonrenewal notice rules and send its premium bill at least 60 days before renewal. If its notice is late, you get a 90-day extension at the lower of the current or previous rate; if it gives no notice by the renewal date, the one-year renewal rule above applies. See our surplus lines guide. [1]
Flood is separate
Starting with policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2026, Connecticut homeowners and renters policies must include a plain-language notice that the policy "does not provide coverage for loss caused by flood" and that separate flood insurance is available. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [26][27]
Where to get help
- Connecticut Insurance Department, Consumer Affairs: (800) 203-3447 or (860) 297-3900, email insurance@ct.gov, or file a complaint or ask a question online. Since Sept. 8, 2026, in-person help is at 280 Trumbull Street, Floor 7, Hartford. - If a claim is denied: the insurer's written denial must tell you that you may contact the department's Consumer Affairs division, with its address, toll-free number and website. - Connecticut FAIR Plan: (860) 528-9546. [5][18][28][29]
Questions people ask
How much notice does a Connecticut insurer have to give before not renewing my home insurance?
At least 60 days, in writing, with a statement of the specific reason. If the insurer fails to give proper notice, you are entitled to a renewal of at least one year. [1][3]
Can my Connecticut insurer drop me for filing a claim?
Not solely for an inquiry, or a claim that paid under $500 or nothing, unless you had more than one paid non-catastrophe claim in the prior three policy years. It also can't drop you based solely on losses from a declared catastrophe. Once the policy has been in force 60 days, a mid-term cancellation is allowed only for nonpayment, fraud or misrepresentation, or a physical change that materially increases the hazard. [2][14]
Can my insurer drop me because of my roof in Connecticut?
Only with evidence of real damage or deterioration. The Insurance Department says cosmetic conditions like natural discoloration and streaking don't support a nonrenewal, and aerial images showing only cosmetic issues can't be used alone. Roof ponding, incomplete patching or tarps generally can be. [8]
What can I do if no company will insure my home?
Ask any Connecticut-licensed agent about the Connecticut FAIR Plan, and, if you are within 2,600 feet of the coast, about C-MAP. An agent can also check the surplus lines market. [6][18][30]
Who regulates homeowners insurance in Connecticut?
The Connecticut Insurance Department. Its Consumer Affairs line is (800) 203-3447. [5][28]
Sources (30)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-323, Notice of nonrenewal, conditional renewal and premium billing (2026 Supplement), Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316g, Cancellation of homeowners insurance policies (2026 Supplement), Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Bulletin PC-88: Cancellation and Non-renewal of Personal and Commercial Insurance Policies (July 23, 2019), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Welcome to CT FAIR Plan, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- File a Complaint or Ask a Question, Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Producers (including C-MAP Coastal Market Assistance Program), Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- What is C-MAP and Eligibility Requirements, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Notice to All Homeowners Insurers: Underwriting Action Based on Roof Condition and Use of Aerial Imagery (March 19, 2024), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Notice to All Insurers Writing Homeowners and Condominium Insurance in Connecticut (crumbling foundations), 2019 Update, Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Bulletin PC-92-25: Flex-Rate Filings Under Public Act No. 25-86 (July 2, 2025), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Bulletin PC-94-26: New Requirement for Personal Risk Insurance Policy Premium Increases (Sept. 17, 2026, revised Sept. 22, 2026), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Press Releases (Sept. 17, 2026: Be Weather Ready: Preparedness & Resiliency Center), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Severe Weather Mitigation & Resiliency Advisory Council Final Report (June 2025), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316d, Prohibitions on declination, cancellation and nonrenewal of homeowners insurance policies, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316a, Storm shutters; hurricane deductibles, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-323a, Designation of a third party to receive nonrenewal and cancellation notices (2026 Supplement), Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Coverages & General Information, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Contact Us, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Premium Payment, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-328, Fire, liability and allied lines underwriting facility, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316c, Coastal market assistance program, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- C-MAP is available for eligible properties in Connecticut (July 14, 2008), Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- C-Map Coverages, Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316b, Premium discount for permanent storm shutters or impact-resistant glass, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Connecticut Insurance Department Highlights FORTIFIED Roofing Standards (July 17, 2026), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-316h, Notice of noncoverage for flood loss (effective July 1, 2026), Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Bulletin PC-93-25: Flood Insurance Disclosure Requirements Under Public Act No. 25-33 (July 8, 2025), Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Connecticut Insurance Department: Home, Connecticut Insurance Department. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Conn. Gen. Stat. 38a-323b, Written notice of personal risk claim denial, Connecticut General Assembly. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- CT FAIR Plan Producers' Manual (2025.06), Connecticut FAIR Plan. Accessed October 13, 2026.