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Missouri FAIR Plan

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What the Missouri FAIR Plan is

FAIR stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements. The plan says the Missouri Property Insurance Placement Facility "was established in October 1969 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." It "is not intended to be competitive with the voluntary insurance marketplace" and is "designed to be used as a last resort."

Missouri law (RSMo 379.810 to 379.880) created the program "to make available basic property insurance to persons having property interests in this state who are in good faith entitled to but who are unable to procure such coverage through ordinary methods." All insurers licensed to write property insurance in Missouri share in the plan's writings, expenses, profits and losses through a joint reinsurance association, and the plan is run by a 13-member governing committee under the supervision of the director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

We are not the Missouri FAIR Plan and are not affiliated with it. We explain the published rules; the plan and your agent make the decisions. [1][7][9][10][11]

Who is eligible

The plan is for "those having an insurable interest in property who, in good faith, are entitled to such insurance, but who are unable to obtain it in the standard market." It says consumers "should first 'shop' for placement in the standard market," because a regular company "may be able to provide better coverage than that offered by the FAIR Plan and possibly at a lower premium."

Conditions the plan says may make a property ineligible or subject to surcharges:

- severe disrepair, or significant unrepaired damage from earlier losses; - an unsatisfactory loss history; - unsafe heating (rusted equipment, deteriorated chimneys or vents, improper space heaters, no central heating); - unsafe wiring (exposed or frayed wires, improper splices, overloaded circuits, fuse boxes and certain circuit breaker boxes); - poor housekeeping (accumulated trash, debris or garbage); - occupancy or ownership that may violate law or public policy.

The plan does not write foreclosed properties. It will consider a vacant dwelling if it is maintained and monitored, the utilities work and the property taxes are current, with a $1,000 minimum deductible and no vandalism coverage, for a year.

Missouri law says "Neighborhood or area location or any environmental hazard beyond the control of the property owner" may not be used to decline a property. [2][4][12]

What it covers and what it doesn't

All policies are "ACTUAL CASH VALUE NAMED PERIL policies": they "do not provide replacement cost coverage and depreciation is taken into consideration at time of loss." The plan does not provide liability, earthquake, flood, or sewer and sump backup coverage. The plan suggests buying only "enough coverage to protect the market value of your property."

The $200,000 and $1 million limits are set by state law (RSMo 379.825). If you need more, the law says the facility "will endeavor to assist in placement." The sinkhole policy, available since January 1, 2015, supplements a regular insurer's policy; it doesn't cover land value, filling the sinkhole, driveways or detached non-living structures (RSMo 379.827). For flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [2][3][4][8][13]

How to apply

1. Shop the standard market first. The plan says the consumer "should first 'shop' for placement in the standard market before applying to the FAIR Plan for coverage." 2. Use a Missouri-licensed agent. "ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY A MISSOURI LICENSED AGENT." Any licensed agent can open an account with the plan. Customer service at (314) 421-0170 "can also refer you to a producer in your area." 3. Photos. Front and rear photos go with every application, plus contents photos if you want contents coverage. 4. Quote, then payment. The plan may issue a quote or decline. Under state law, once the plan accepts a risk and receives the premium, it must issue the policy within three business days, effective at noon on the day the premium arrives (unless a later date is set). 5. Inspection. After the quote is paid, the plan does "full interior and exterior inspections," and re-inspects at least every four years. If it finds deficiencies, it will "either endorse the policy to include surcharges for the deficiencies or issue a 30 day notice of cancellation due to conditions."

Agents "are not contracted by the FAIR Plan and cannot accept payment or issue binders, policies or endorsements on behalf of the FAIR Plan." [1][2][3][4][12]

Paying and claims

- Payment options: pay in full, or a three-pay plan: 40% up front and two installments of 30%, with a $5 processing fee per installment payment. - Pay online with the Online Payments button on the plan's home page. The plan has no policyholder login; its "Producer Sign-In" is for agents. The office is not staffed on Wednesdays, but "payments can be left in our drop box." - Report a claim: call (502) 425-7903, or complete the Loss Notice Form on the Report a Loss page and email it to claims@mpipf.com or fax it to (314) 421-2575. - Changes: tell the plan about changes such as a death of an insured, a sale, a new mortgage company, a paid-off mortgage or a new mailing address. [1][2][4][5][6]

If the plan cancels or turns you down: appeals

Under RSMo 379.845, the plan may cancel without its governing committee's approval only for arson by or for the insured, nonpayment, fraud or material misrepresentation, or changed conditions that make the property uninsurable. Any cancellation or nonrenewal notice must give the reason and be sent at least 30 days ahead, with a statement of your right to appeal.

If the plan declines your property or will insure it only after improvements, it must send you the inspection and action reports and explain how to appeal. You can appeal a decision about the conditions for coverage to the director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, in writing, within 30 days. Other decisions go to the plan's governing committee first, then to the director within 30 days (RSMo 379.850). [12][14][15]

Rates and changes

Policies are written for one year, on forms and rates approved by the director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (RSMo 379.840). Surcharges for substandard conditions must follow filings approved by the director. The plan does not publish policy counts or dwelling rate changes on its website; its news section lists "Tenative Commercial Rates" without figures. [1][12][16]

Getting back to a regular insurer

The plan says "Many insureds use the FAIR Plan as a temporary market for a year or two until they qualify for coverage in the standard market." The Department of Commerce and Insurance's FAQ says to "Make every effort to get regular coverage, although you may have to pay more than your current policy." [4][17]

Help

- Missouri FAIR Plan: (314) 421-0170, toll free in Missouri (800) 392-7240, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mail: 11116 S Towne Square, Suite #303, St Louis, MO 63123. - Problems with an insurance company or agent: Department of Commerce and Insurance Consumer Hotline, (800) 726-7390, or the online complaint page. - Missouri notice rules if you were dropped: Homeowners Insurance in Missouri. [1][5][18]

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