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Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in District of Columbia: average premium, 2023 $1,545 a year in District of Columbia vs. $1,737 countrywide · 28th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

DC's market right now

Several DC rules for homeowners changed in 2024 and 2025, through a new law and two DISB bulletins:

- Rate filings (D.C. Code 31-2703, last amended by D.C. Law 25-123, effective February 15, 2024): every homeowner insurer's proposed rates must be filed with the Commissioner, who can find a rate excessive within 90 days, before it takes effect, if it "is unreasonably high for the insurance provided and is not actuarially justified." A rate not acted on in 90 days is deemed approved. - Notice of rate increases: beginning September 1, 2023, "or such later date as determined by the Commissioner," homeowner insurers must give you written notice of a rate or premium increase at least 45 and not more than 90 days before renewal. If the notice comes late, the insurer must wait until the end of the next policy term to raise your rate. - First weather claim (Bulletin 24-IB-003, May 31, 2024): DISB told insurers that raising your premium, changing your rating class or adding a surcharge because of a first weather-related claim is "prohibited," not just nonrenewing you for it. - Depreciation of labor (Bulletin 25-IB-001, August 11, 2025): DISB considers depreciating labor, taxes, fees and overhead and profit when paying an actual cash value claim "to be an unfair claims settlement practice," and says it "will not approve any policy form with language that allows for depreciation of labor."

On flooding, DISB notes that on September 10, 2020, heavy rain left "over 240 residents reporting water damage," and that the DC Hazard Mitigation Plan "has identified six recorded hurricanes that have impacted the District since 2000." [3][7][8][9]

Last resort: the DC Property Insurance Facility

The District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility (DCPIF) "can provide insurance coverage to property owners, individuals, or businesses throughout the District of Columbia who have been unable to obtain essential property insurance" in the regular market. It calls itself a "F.A.I.R. Plan" (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements): a pool of all insurers licensed to write property insurance in DC, required by law. It is "not a DC Government agency."

Things to know:

- It offers homeowners policies for owner-occupied homes (HO-2 and HO-8), condo (HO-6) and renters (HO-4) policies, and a basic dwelling fire policy (DP-1) for rental property. - The most it will insure is $614,000 on the dwelling and $307,000 on contents. - You can apply through a licensed agent or directly. A homeowners application needs a copy of the cancellation or nonrenewal notice from your current insurer, plus photos of the property. - Every property is inspected. - Its policies do not cover flood.

Full details: DC FAIR Plan (DCPIF). [4][10][11][12][13]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

DC's rules are in Chapter 3 of the insurance regulations (26-A DCMR 300 to 399, "Prohibitions on Arbitrary Cancellation"):

- Notice: "at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed date of cancellation, or in the case of nonrenewal, thirty days prior to the end of the policy period." - Delivery: mailed or delivered to your last known address in an envelope labeled "Important Insurance Notice" in at least 18-point type. - Reasons: the notice must give "a reasonable explanation of the ground or grounds" for the decision. - Your options: the notice must tell you about your possible eligibility for insurance under the "District of Columbia Insurance Placement Act" or similar plans, "where and how to inquire," and your appeal rights. - Mid-term cancellation: for policies other than auto, the insurer can cancel only if you didn't pay the premium, made "a material and willful misstatement or omission" on an application or claim, or the property was transferred or its use materially changed. These limits don't apply to a new (not renewal) policy that has been in force 30 days or less. - If the insurer skips a step: unless the insurer meets each condition, the regulation says "a policyholder has a right to renewal for an additional period of time equivalent to the expiring term" (for a term of a year or less).

These rules don't apply to policies issued under the District of Columbia Insurance Placement Act (the FAIR plan); the DCPIF has its own rules.

Appeal: if you think a cancellation or nonrenewal breaks these rules, you can send the Commissioner a written explanation at any time before the cancellation date or the end of the policy period, and send a copy to your insurer at the same time. The Commissioner then decides whether it was allowed. [1]

Limits on dropping you for claims

Under 26-A DCMR 5000, an insurer "shall not refuse to renew a policy of homeowners insurance solely due to claim or loss frequency unless there have been two (2) or more claims during the preceding three (3) year period." When counting, the insurer can't include:

- the first claim for a loss caused by weather, unless it can show you "unreasonably failed to maintain the property" and that contributed to the loss; - an inquiry that the insurer paid nothing on; - a loss with no investigation or other claim activity; or - losses from a catastrophic event (one causing $25,000,000 or more in insured property losses).

Other protections in the same rules:

- An insurer can't nonrenew solely because of damage found during a renewal or loss inspection unless it gave you "a reasonable timeframe" to repair it. - If it cancels or nonrenews because of your claims history, it must list each claim's date, amount, type and insurer, so you have "an adequate basis of refuting the accuracy" of the list. - Insurers must tell homeowners that they consider claims history at renewal; an insurer can use stricter claims standards only if it gave you a written copy of them at issue or renewal. - A new insurer can't turn you down solely because of a previous owner's loss history.

DISB's 2024 bulletin adds that any change in premium, coverage or rating class because of a first weather claim is "an attempt to circumvent the clear purpose and intent of this regulation." [2][3]

Flood is separate

DISB says "neither a standard homeowner's insurance policy or a water backup and sump overflow coverage endorsement provide protection against flood loss," and that sewer or drain backup during heavy rain "is not considered a flood and is not covered by flood insurance." Water backup coverage is an add-on to a home policy. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [9]

Where to get help

- Start with your company. DISB says "If possible, contact your financial institution with your problem first." - File with DISB: online, or with the downloadable form by email or by mail to 1050 First St. NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002. Forms are on the complaint page. Call (202) 727-8000, Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. - What happens next: DISB "will confirm receipt of a completed consumer complaint within three business days," contacts the company, and does "our best to complete your case within 45 days." If the company broke DC law, DISB may require it to correct the problem. DISB can't represent you in court or recommend a company. - Wrongful cancellation or nonrenewal: use the written appeal to the Commissioner described above, before the cancellation date or the end of the policy period. - DC Property Insurance Facility: (800) 492-5670 or (202) 393-4640. [1][4][5][6]

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