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FAIR plan · Indiana

Indiana FAIR Plan

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What the Indiana FAIR Plan is

The Indiana Basic Property Insurance Underwriting Association, "also known as the FAIR Plan," was established on October 28, 1968, "for the purpose of making property insurance available to applicants who have not been able to secure such insurance on insurable property through the normal insurance market." FAIR stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements.

The plan describes itself as "a voluntary association comprised of insurance companies that are licensed to write property insurance in the State of Indiana." It 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."

Money comes from the premiums on FAIR Plan policies and, if needed, assessments on its member companies to pay claims and expenses. The plan says its last assessment was authorized in June 2023.

We are not the Indiana FAIR Plan and are not affiliated with it. We explain the plan's published rules; the plan and your agent make the decisions. [1][7]

Who is eligible

- Three declinations. The plan offers dwelling and commercial insurance to Indiana residents "who have been declined coverage by at least three non-related Insurance Companies." The declinations are verified in section 2 of the FAIR Plan application. - Every year again. Policies run one year. At renewal, "you must again show proof that you have been declined by 3 different insurance carriers within the prior 60 days," and you and your agent may need to complete a renewal application. - Inspection. All properties are inspected. An inspection company will contact you to set up an interior and exterior inspection, basements included. "Coverage will be declined or limited if inspection cannot be completed." Renewal policies are inspected periodically. - What it insures. Owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied dwellings and some occupied commercial buildings. Town homes can be insured if they meet the plan's guidelines. - Vacant homes: the plan's two FAQs differ. The consumer FAQ says vacant or unoccupied buildings are not eligible "unless it is under active renovation by a licensed contractor and work will be completed and home will become occupied within 90 days." The agent FAQ says vacant homes "can be insured under a standard Dwelling Fire Policy if the risk meets the FAIR Plan underwriting guidelines." If your home is vacant, ask the plan's underwriting department ((317) 692-0559) before you apply.

The plan's coverage is limited, and it advises: "You should carefully consider all of your available options before applying to the FAIR Plan." [1][2][3][4]

What it covers and what it doesn't

The plan's product comparison sheet lists four residential forms. All settle losses at actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation), and the plan says it "will not insure a home for its replacement cost value."

- Perils on every form: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, volcanic eruption, and vandalism or malicious mischief. - Broad forms (DP 2 and HO 2) add: falling objects, weight of ice, snow or sleet, freezing, accidental discharge or overflow of water, collapse, and some others. Theft is listed for the homeowners forms only. - Optional by endorsement: earthquake and mine subsidence. - Other structures: 10% of Coverage A. - Loss of use: on dwelling fire policies, fair rental value of 20% of Coverage A, which reduces the Coverage A limit; on homeowners policies, 10% of Coverage A, in addition to it. - Limits: the dwelling fire maximum of $250,000 includes both building and contents. The homeowners maximum building limit is $250,000. Commercial Fire tops out at $1,000,000. - No condo policy. Condo owners and renters can buy contents-only coverage under a DP-1.

The sheet says it is a general summary and that "Your legal rights as an insured are determined by your insurance policy." Flood is a separate policy; see our sister site FloodHawk. [1][2][3][6]

How to apply

1. Get your three declinations. You need to have been turned down by at least three insurance companies. 2. Find a licensed Indiana agent. "Consumers must apply through a licensed agent in the state of Indiana." Any agent licensed to sell property insurance in Indiana can register with the plan and give you a quote. 3. Complete and sign the application. It is done through the plan's online quoting and application system and signed by both the agent and you. 4. Send the deposit. "A premium deposit of $250 or the annual premium must be sent with the application if coverage is desired." 5. Wait for written approval. Agents "do not have binding authority." The plan says: "No coverage is in place until FAIR Plan approval, acceptance and written acknowledgement is provided." It date-stamps applications when they arrive and uses the date it receives both the application and the deposit as the possible effective date. After approval, the policy is mailed to you, your agent and your mortgage company, if any. 6. Inspection. Inspection reports "may take up to 30 days or more." [2][3]

Paying, claims and cancelling

- Annual payment only. The plan says it "does not offer payment plans" and that "The FAIR Plan's only mode of payment is annual." - How to pay. The FAQs say the plan accepts payment by check or money order and "does not accept any payments by phone or credit card," and that it "now accepts premium payments via ACH" through its online payment page. When we opened that page on Oct. 13, 2026, it showed both card and ACH options, which does not match the FAQ. Confirm with the plan before paying by card. - Mail payments to Indiana FAIR Plan, PO Box 6457, Department #283, Indianapolis IN 46206. - Bills and renewal notices are mailed to you, your agent and your mortgage company, if any. - Claims: call (317) 692-0572. The consumer FAQ says to contact your agent to submit a claim; the agent FAQ says claims "must be reported promptly" and can be submitted through the plan's online system. The plan assigns an independent adjusting company, and the adjuster will contact you or your agent. - Cancelling: send a written request with the date and reason, by fax to (317) 264-2395 or by email to infairplan@quadassoc.org. Refunds are prorated. The agent FAQ says the plan "does not backdate cancellations beyond 30 days upon receipt of the cancellation request." [2][3][4][5]

Getting back to the regular market

Because you must show three fresh declinations at every renewal, each renewal is a natural point to shop again. If you find other insurance while your FAIR Plan policy is in force, you "may cancel your FAIR Plan policy and receive a refund of unearned premium at any time by notifying our office and your agent in writing." The plan "does not backdate cancellations."

Indiana law also says an insurer may not refuse to continue your coverage because you "previously obtained insurance coverage through a residual market insurance mechanism," such as the FAIR Plan, or because another insurer turned you down. See our Indiana page for the rest of Indiana's cancellation and nonrenewal rules. [2][8]

Contact and help

- Indiana FAIR Plan: underwriting and general questions (317) 692-0559; claims (317) 692-0572; general line (317) 264-2310 or toll free (800) 888-8627. - Address: 3502 Woodview Trace, Suite 100, Indianapolis IN 46268. Visitors need an appointment. - Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Complaints: the Indiana Department of Insurance takes written complaints through its complaint page; Consumer Services phone (800) 622-4461. [1][4][9]

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