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Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in New York: average premium, 2023 $1,801 a year in New York vs. $1,737 countrywide · 17th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

New York's main rule is Insurance Law section 3425, which covers policies on homes of up to four dwelling units. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) sums it up this way:

- First 60 days: an insurer can generally cancel a new homeowners or tenants policy, as long as the cancellation notice states "the specific reason or reasons." - After 60 days: the policy "may not be cancelled or non-renewed for a three-year period," except generally for nonpayment of premium, conviction of a crime that increased the hazard insured against, fraud or material misrepresentation, willful or reckless acts that increased the hazard, physical changes to the property that make it uninsurable under the insurer's uniformly applied standards, or a determination by the Superintendent that continuing the policy would violate the Insurance Law. - Nonpayment: "if payment is received by the company within 15 days of the mailing of the cancellation notice the policy will not be cancelled." - Nonrenewal at the end of the three years: the insurer must mail or deliver written notice "at least forty-five but not more than sixty days in advance of the end of the policy period." The law says "The specific reason or reasons for nonrenewal or conditioned renewal shall be stated in or shall accompany the notice." The same notice rule applies if the insurer conditions renewal on lowering your limits or removing coverages.

If the insurer misses that notice window, the law says you are "entitled to renew the policy upon timely payment of the premium billed." DFS adds that a nonrenewal isn't necessarily about something you did: your company "may have decided to drop a particular line of insurance or to write fewer policies where you live." If you think the reason is unfair, you can file a complaint with DFS. [1][2]

Last resort: NYPIUA, New York's FAIR plan

If you can't find a company that will sell you a homeowners policy, DFS points to the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association (NYPIUA). It is "an association of all insurance companies that sell fire insurance in New York State."

NYPIUA's basic policy covers fire and extended coverage perils, including wind (including hurricane), hail, smoke and vandalism. A Broad Form adds perils such as falling objects, weight of ice and snow, and freezing, for a higher premium. NYPIUA policies "do not include liability, flood, or theft coverage" and are generally paid on an actual cash value basis (replacement cost minus depreciation).

DFS says that because NYPIUA coverage is limited and costs more than regular coverage, you or your agent or broker "should make every effort" to get coverage from a regular (voluntary) insurer first.

Details, limits and how to apply: New York FAIR Plan (NYPIUA). [3]

Coastal homes: C-MAP

The Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP) is "a voluntary network of insurers and insurance producers" that helps coastal homeowners find coverage. It is administered by NYPIUA, and state law (Insurance Law section 5414) requires it.

Who it's for, according to DFS: owner-occupied one-to-four family homes, apartment units or condo units in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Nassau, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk and Westchester. Before applying you must have received a nonrenewal, cancellation or conditional nonrenewal notice for a reason other than nonpayment. New home buyers must identify the prior homeowners insurer.

How close to the water: the rules have changed, and sources differ.

- DFS's consumer page and NYPIUA's C-MAP brochure still say within one mile of the shore on Long Island's south shore and forks, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, but within 2,500 feet on the north shore, the Bronx and Westchester. - The current law says "At a minimum, properties eligible for the program shall be located within one mile of the shore," and defines shore to include salt water, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Saint Lawrence River, the Hudson River and the Niagara River. - A DFS examination report says eligibility "was expanded" in 2024 to one mile across all coastal areas and to inland waters.

Confirm your eligibility with NYPIUA at (212) 208-9700. With C-MAP, you can pair a NYPIUA policy with a regular policy that has a "wrap-around" endorsement, which supplies liability, theft and other coverage NYPIUA doesn't. [3][5][6][7]

Hurricane deductibles

A hurricane deductible is "the amount of loss for which a policyholder shall be responsible before the insurer will pay" when a hurricane causes a covered loss. New rules from DFS (the third amendment to Insurance Regulation 159) apply to homeowners and dwelling fire policies "issued or renewed on or after February 2, 2026." Under them:

- An insurer may use a hurricane deductible only if it shows DFS there is "sufficient exposure to a hurricane risk." - It can be triggered "only when the meteorological entity determines that the hurricane made landfall in this State." - It applies only to wind damage from 12 hours before landfall in New York until 12 hours after the last New York hurricane watch or warning for that storm is cancelled. - It may vary by county, by distance from the coast, or both. - It applies to all your covered hurricane losses combined, not to loss-of-use (additional living expense) coverage, and only one deductible applies to a loss. - Your declarations page must show the hurricane deductible as both a percentage and a dollar amount.

More on how these work: hurricane deductibles. [8][9]

Discounts for protecting your home

DFS says "Insurers are required by law to offer discounts to any homeowner who has installed hurricane/storm shutters or hurricane resistant laminated glass windows and doors." Ask your insurer or agent what discount it offers. [10]

Excess line (surplus lines) homeowners insurance

In some cases you can buy homeowners coverage from an unlicensed company, called an "excess line" insurer, through a broker specially licensed for this in New York (an excess line broker). DFS says this is allowed "only after coverage has been declined by at least three licensed insurers."

Know the trade-offs: these insurers are exempt from New York's rate and form filing rules, coverage and deductibles may differ, and if the insurer becomes insolvent you are "not protected by the Property/Casualty Insurance Security Fund." See surplus lines insurance. [3]

Flood is a separate policy

DFS says coverage for flood losses "is not provided in standard homeowners or tenants policies." NYPIUA policies don't include flood either. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [3][11]

Where to get help

- DFS hotline: (800) 342-3736, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email consumers@dfs.ny.gov. - File a complaint about an insurance company online through the DFS complaint page. DFS notes it "may share a copy of your complaint with the company or individual you are complaining about." - NYPIUA and C-MAP: (212) 208-9700 or (800) 522-3372. [4][12][13]

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