Homeowners Insurance in Oregon
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026
In Oregon, your insurer must mail a nonrenewal notice at least 30 days before your homeowners policy ends. If the reason is wildfire risk, a 2023 law (SB 82) requires the notice to explain the property-specific reasons and what you could do about them. If two standard insurers turn you down, the Oregon FAIR Plan is the last resort, and the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) helps with complaints at (888) 877-4894. [1][2][3]
At a glance
- Nonrenewal notice
- At least 30 days before the policy period ends (ORS 746.687) [1]
- Cancellation notice
- 10 days for nonpayment or fraud 30 days for other allowed reasons (ORS 746.687) [1]
- Wildfire-related nonrenewal
- Notice must list property-specific wildfire reasons, possible mitigation steps and score details (ORS 742.277) [2]
- Consumer help line
- DFR consumer advocates, (888) 877-4894 (toll-free) [3]
What homeowners insurance costs in Oregon: average premium, 2023 $1,003 a year in Oregon vs. $1,737 countrywide · 50th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)
On this page
The market right now
DFR says Oregon has seen nearly $3 billion in wildfire losses since 2020, and that insurers are writing fewer policies for homes in disaster-prone areas or with unaddressed maintenance problems.
In a January 2025 presentation to a state Senate committee, DFR reported:
- In 2023, 107 companies covered about 1.6 million Oregon homeowners policyholders. - The average homeowners policy cost about $886 in 2023, up 52% from 2018. - Nonrenewals rose 11% from 2018 to 2023, with a big jump from 2022 to 2023. - The Oregon FAIR Plan had 2,321 policies at the end of 2024; its enrollment was flat through 2023 and spiked in 2024.
DFR also notes that more than 100 companies write homeowners and renters insurance in Oregon, so shopping around is worthwhile. [3][5]
If your insurer drops you
Once a homeowners policy has been in force 60 days (or is a renewal), Oregon law limits when the insurer can cancel it mid-term and how much notice you get:
| Situation | Minimum notice | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Insurer won't renew | 30 days before the policy period ends | ORS 746.687(4) |
| Cancellation for nonpayment, or fraud or material misrepresentation | 10 days | ORS 746.687(3) |
| Cancellation for breaking policy terms, a substantial increase in risk, or an insurer-solvency finding by the director | 30 days | ORS 746.687(3) |
A cancellation notice must be in writing and give the effective date and the reasons. DFR says it must be mailed to the address on your policy: "Email does not count. Neither does a phone call."
Oregon also limits how insurers use your claims. At renewal, an insurer may not use a claim with a date of loss more than five years before the renewal date, and may not use your first claim in the five years before renewal to decide whether to renew. When you apply for a new policy, the insurer may not use your first homeowners claim in the past five years to decide whether to issue it.
Premium went up at renewal? Under HB 2563 (2025), for homeowners policies renewed on or after Sept. 1, 2026, you can ask your insurer or agent in writing to explain a premium increase. The insurer must answer within 20 days, in plain language, listing up to four factors that contributed most to the increase. Renewal offers and the first bill after renewal must tell you that you can ask.
DFR's advice: ask your agent or insurer for the specific reasons, and ask what you can fix. It says an older roof, an aging outbuilding, or large overhanging trees and yard debris "will often trigger a nonrenewal or rejection of a new policy." See our nonrenewal guide for next steps. [1][3][6][7]
Oregon's FEMA disaster record since 2000
Federal disaster declarations for Oregon, 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
- Fielder Mountain Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-08-14
- Wrights Spring Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-08-09
- Hagen Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-08-09
- Rowe Creek Fire Complex Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-07-31
- Fox Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-07-31
- Grasshopper Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2026-07-25
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 Oregon
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: 1.5 inches, Deschutes County, August 3, 2025.
Most reports of 1-inch-plus hail, 2016–2025: Deschutes (23), Umatilla (12), Jackson (9), Union (8), Grant (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 Oregon have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 92% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 92% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Of Oregon's 1,993,291 buildings, 37% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 27% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 37% 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 | 2,202 | 828,777 |
| 2022 | 2,117 | 456,082 |
| 2023 | 1,979 | 202,035 |
| 2024 | 2,232 | 1,797,796 |
| 2025 | 2,746 | 324,601 |
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 Oregon in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.
2026 so far: 2,468,688 acres burned in wildfires reported to the national interagency fire-incident system (IRWIN) for Oregon, as of October 14, 2026. Preliminary: from NIFC's year-to-date wildfire locations (WFIGS), which doesn't include every state and local fire and isn't comparable to the annual totals above.
Wildfire rules: SB 82 notices and the repealed hazard map
SB 82 (2023), in effect since Jan. 1, 2024. If an insurer cancels, nonrenews or raises your premium for a reason "materially related to wildfire risk" (other than nonpayment), its notice must describe:
- the property-specific wildfire characteristics behind the decision, - wildfire mitigation actions you could take to make the property more insurable, if any, - if it used a wildfire risk score: how scores are set, the possible range, where your home falls, and how mitigation could change the score.
For a wildfire-related premium increase, the notice must also say which mitigation actions would earn a discount or other premium adjustment, and how much. The law counts defensible space, home hardening, an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certificate and Firewise USA community recognition as mitigation actions. Every homeowners insurer must also post on its website whether and how mitigation affects its underwriting and rates.
If your insurer won't give you detailed reasons, DFR says to call its consumer advocates at (888) 877-4894.
The state wildfire hazard map. A 2021 law (SB 762) called for a statewide wildfire hazard map. SB 83 (2025) repealed that map statute and voided the State Forestry Department orders that had placed properties in wildfire hazard zones. The governor signed SB 83 on July 24, 2025, and it took effect that day. Separately, SB 82 still bars insurers from using any wildfire risk map published by a state agency as a basis to cancel, nonrenew, or raise the premium on a homeowners policy. DFR notes that repealing the state map does not stop insurers from using their own wildfire risk models. [2][3][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
2026 wildfire emergency order
DFR issued a wildfire emergency order effective July 31, 2026. It extended the order to Sept. 29 and then a second time, to Oct. 29, 2026, so it is in force as of Oct. 13, 2026. For policies in the ZIP codes listed in DFR's bulletin, insurers must pause cancellations and nonrenewals, give a grace period for premium payments, extend deadlines for reporting claims, and withdraw cancellation or nonrenewal notices that hadn't taken effect by July 31. The order applies to admitted insurers, not to surplus lines insurers.
The director can extend the order 30 days at a time. If you live in a fire-affected area, check the DFR wildfire page for the current status. [14][15][16][17]
Last-resort options
Oregon FAIR Plan. DFR calls it "an insurance policy of last resort." To qualify, you must have been declined by two standard insurance companies, and you must apply through a licensed agent. DFR says premiums are often higher and coverage less complete than a regular policy. The plan pays actual cash value, up to $600,000 under a dwelling policy, and has no liability or theft coverage. Details are on our Oregon FAIR Plan page.
Surplus lines. DFR describes the surplus lines market as insurers that cover risks the standard market usually doesn't. It says you can usually get more complete coverage there, but at a higher premium. Ask a broker or agent, or call the Oregon Surplus Line Association at (503) 718-6700. Our surplus lines guide explains how these policies differ. [3][4][18][19]
Protecting your home
DFR suggests asking your insurer which home-hardening, defensible-space, maintenance or repair work would make your home insurable or cheaper to insure, then giving the insurer proof once it's done. Some insurers require a defensible-space or property-condition assessment before they will offer coverage; DFR says that is allowed.
Under SB 82, insurers have to publish how mitigation affects their underwriting and rates, so check your insurer's website. Our wildfire home hardening guide covers the common steps. [3][8]
Flood is separate
DFR lists floods under what homeowners insurance does not cover, and says flood insurance is typically provided through the National Flood Insurance Program and bought through an agent. Our sister site FloodHawk covers flood zones and flood insurance. [3]
Where to get help
DFR's consumer advocacy team can help if you think a cancellation or nonrenewal broke the Oregon Insurance Code, or if your insurer won't explain a wildfire-related decision.
- Call (888) 877-4894 (toll-free).
- File a complaint online.
Questions people ask
How much notice does an Oregon insurer have to give before not renewing my home policy?
At least 30 days before the policy period ends, mailed or delivered to the address on your policy (ORS 746.687). DFR says email and phone calls don't count for a cancellation notice. [1][3]
My Oregon insurer dropped me for wildfire risk. What must it tell me?
Under SB 82 (ORS 742.277), the notice must describe the property-specific wildfire reasons, mitigation steps you could take, and, if a wildfire score was used, how scores work, the range, and where your home falls. If you don't get that, call DFR at (888) 877-4894. [2][3]
Is the Oregon wildfire hazard map still used?
No. SB 83 (2025), in effect since July 24, 2025, repealed the statewide wildfire hazard map statute and voided the orders that placed properties in hazard zones. Insurers were already barred by SB 82 from using a state wildfire map to cancel, nonrenew or raise homeowners premiums. [2][10][11][13]
Sources (19)
- ORS chapter 746 (ORS 746.686, 746.687), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- ORS chapter 742 (ORS 742.277, 742.278), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Help with home insurance, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Dwellings, Oregon FAIR Plan Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Senate Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire: DFR presentation (Jan. 28, 2025), Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Oregon State Legislature committee record). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Enrolled House Bill 2563 (2025), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Wildfires, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- ORS chapter 737 (ORS 737.310), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- SB 82, 2023 Regular Session: Relating to homeowner insurance for wildfire risk, Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- ORS chapter 477 (ORS 477.490 repeal note), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- SB 83, 2025 Regular Session: Relating to wildfire, Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Enrolled Senate Bill 83 (2025), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Oregon Laws 2025, Chapter 590 (SB 83), Oregon State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Wildfire Emergency Order (effective July 31, 2026), Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Oregon Division of Financial Regulation extends wildfire emergency order 30 days, keeping pause on cancellations in place, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Oregon Division of Financial Regulation keeps pause on cancellations in place by extending wildfire emergency order another 30 days, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- 2026 Wildfire Emergency Order Frequently Asked Questions, Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Property Owner, Oregon FAIR Plan Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- FAQ, Oregon FAIR Plan Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.