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Virginia FAIR Plan (VPIA)

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What the VPIA is

The VPIA started in 1968 as the Virginia Insurance Placement Facility and took its current name and structure in 1976. It is the "residual market facility" required by Chapter 27 of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia, which says the facility "shall be established and maintained by all insurers licensed to write basic property insurance." Its purposes in the law include assuring "the availability of basic property insurance for qualified property" and encouraging "maximum use of the voluntary insurance market."

A 15-member board governs it; the Commissioner of Insurance appoints four directors, two of them insurance agents and two from the general public. Its rules, rates and policy forms need the State Corporation Commission's approval, and it "is under the regulation of the State Corporation Commission."

We are not the Virginia Property Insurance Association and are not affiliated with it. We explain its published rules; the VPIA decides on applications and claims. [2][3][9][10][11][12]

Who is eligible

"Any person having an insurable interest in qualified property may apply." Qualified property is real and personal property at a fixed location in Virginia that is not used for manufacturing, complies with state law and local building codes, and has "characteristics of ownership, condition or occupancy" that don't violate public policy.

Dwelling policies can cover one- to four-family homes, row houses and townhouses, mobile homes permanently set at a fixed location, condo unit-owner interests, and personal property. Farm dwellings are not eligible.

Extra rules apply to the broader coverages:

- FP-2 (broad form): a primary dwelling or condo unit, owner- or tenant-occupied, insured for at least 80% of its estimated replacement cost. Secondary, seasonal, renovation and construction risks get FP-1. - Liability: owner-occupied (or resident non-owner); no more than one covered loss in 3 years; no dangerous animals (the manual lists dogs that have bitten, many breeds including pit bulls and rottweilers, farm animals, horses and exotic animals); free of substandard conditions; and a handrail on stairs of three or more risers. - Theft: owner-occupied primary home, prior insurance, no more than one theft loss in 3 years, and locks on all exterior doors and windows (solid-core doors with a deadbolt or secondary lock). - Vacant homes: only if being built from the ground up or under active, major renovation, with a building permit, contractor's agreement or renovation loan papers. Cosmetic repairs and vacant homes awaiting cleanout or sale don't qualify.

The VPIA can decline or cancel for unsafe conditions (wiring, heating, deterioration, prior fires), rubbish or overcrowding, vacancy, or property fire services can't reach, such as islands and remote areas. [3][4][8][10]

What it covers and what it doesn't

Actual cash value means replacement cost minus depreciation.

- Other structures and fair rental value: 10% of the dwelling limit each, at no extra charge. - Optional (if eligible): personal liability (maximum $100,000), limited theft (up to $5,000), contents replacement cost (FP-2 only), ordinance or law (FP-2 only). - Limits: $500,000 per location for 1-4 family homes; $1,000,000 for commercial property. - Deductibles: $500, $1,000 or $2,500 for all perils ($1,000 minimum when building and contents limits total over $100,000), plus a separate flat windstorm or hail deductible of $1,000, $2,000, $2,500 or $5,000 ($2,000 minimum over $100,000). - Coastal wind: the VPIA writes in seacoast and beachfront areas (for example, the Beach Area of Virginia Beach is rated "Beachfront"), with windstorm included in extended and broad coverage. It "will not accept applications for new coverage which includes windstorm coverage" while a hurricane watch or warning is in effect for any part of Virginia. - Not covered: flood. The Bureau of Insurance says Virginia homeowners policies generally don't cover flood; see our sister site FloodHawk. [3][4][8][13]

How to apply

1. Shop first. The Bureau of Insurance calls the VPIA "a last resort" and says to keep trying other companies. 2. Apply. Any Virginia-licensed property and casualty agent can submit an application on the VPIA's website (use Find an Agent), or you can submit one yourself by mail, by fax or in person at the VPIA office in Glen Allen. Agents "cannot bind coverage." 3. Coverage start. For an acceptable application, coverage starts at 12:01 a.m. the day after the VPIA receives it (or a later date you ask for). The estimated annual premium must arrive within 10 days or the policy is cancelled. 4. Inspection. The VPIA may inspect and add condition surcharges or drop coverages (for example, liability if railings are missing). It orders new dwelling inspections "typically every 3 to 5 years." You can get a copy of the inspection report on written request. 5. If declined. For owner-occupied homes, the declination states the reasons and your appeal procedures. If you fix the problems, you can reapply. [3][8][13]

Paying, renewing and claims

- Pay online with a bank account or credit card through the payment page. The VPIA "does not offer payment plans, as payment in full is required"; it says you may use a premium finance company. - No automatic renewal. "VPIA does not automatically renew policies. Insureds must reapply each year." The renewal packet is mailed 45-55 days before the renewal date, and payment with the continuation application is due 15 days before it. Payment received within 45 days after expiration restarts coverage the day after it arrives, with a gap; after 45 days you must apply again. - Postmarks don't count. Payment or documents must be received before a cancellation date. - Policy changes must be requested in writing by the named insured or the agent. - Claims: report a claim online or call (804) 591-3700 or (800) 899-7973 and choose the claims department. - Policyholder login: the VPIA's site offers payment, claim, agent-search and cancellation forms for policyholders; its login is for producers (agents). - Mail: PO Box 716491, Philadelphia, PA 19171-6491. Office: 301 Concourse Blvd., Suite 190, Glen Allen, VA 23059 (call ahead for an appointment). [1][3][6][8]

Cancellation and appeals

Virginia's homeowners nonrenewal protections (30 days' notice, the 10-day Commissioner review) do not apply to VPIA policies. Instead, under the VPIA's manual:

- In the first 90 days, the VPIA may cancel for any reason on 10 days' written notice. - After that, notice is 30 days, except 10 days for specific conditions such as nonpayment, arson evidence, a building left vacant 60 consecutive days, unrepaired fire damage, disconnected utilities left unpaid for 120 days, or a building in danger of collapse. - Cancellation notices include the reasons and your right of appeal.

The VPIA's FAQ describes its "standard procedure of cancellation" as "15 days notice" (for example, when a renewal payment hasn't arrived 15 days before the renewal date), so check the date on any notice you get and confirm with the VPIA.

Appeals. The manual says you can appeal a cancellation or declination in writing (fax, email or mail) to the VPIA's Governing Committee within 30 days of the decision, and then to the State Corporation Commission. Under § 38.2-2712, anyone "aggrieved by any action or decision" of the VPIA may appeal to the State Corporation Commission within thirty days. [3][8][14][15]

Rates and finances

VPIA rates are filed with and approved by the State Corporation Commission, and condition surcharges from its substandard rating plan are added after inspection. The Bureau of Insurance says VPIA premiums are "generally higher" than private companies'.

The VPIA's quarterly statement for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 shows members' equity of about $26.1 million and net income of about $6.4 million for its fiscal year to date (the fiscal year starts October 1). For hurricane risk, it reports a modeled 100-year probable maximum loss of $28.5 million to $32.9 million and catastrophe reinsurance of $26 million above $4 million. [3][13][16][17][18]

Getting back to a regular insurer

At each renewal, the VPIA's manual says "The agent and/or the applicant should make a diligent effort to place coverage on the property through the standard market." The Bureau of Insurance says a company may not refuse you insurance "because you purchased insurance through the Virginia Property Insurance Association." If a regular company insures you, the VPIA refunds the unused premium on a pro-rata basis. [3][13]

Help

- VPIA: (804) 591-3700 or (800) 899-7973; the website also offers online chat. - Bureau of Insurance (complaints about an insurer or agent): (877) 310-6560 or the complaint page. - Virginia's rules if you were dropped: Homeowners Insurance in Virginia. [1][6][19]

Questions people ask