Homeowners Insurance in Wyoming
Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026
Wyoming has no FAIR plan on the national list kept by PIPSO, the plans' service office, so if regular insurers turn you down, the Wyoming Department of Insurance (WDOI) is the place to ask about your options. Wyoming law requires at least 45 days' written notice, with the precise reason, before an insurer declines to renew your policy. An insurer can't refuse to renew a homeowners policy over a single claim from natural causes within a three-year period. [1][2][3]
At a glance
- Notice before nonrenewal
- At least 45 days, in writing, stating the precise reason (W.S. 26-35-203) [3]
- Notice before a mid-term cancellation
- 10 days for nonpayment 45 days for the other allowed reasons (W.S. 26-35-202) [3]
- Storm claims
- No nonrenewal for a single natural-cause claim within 3 years No mid-term cancellation for any natural-cause claim (W.S. 26-23-107) [3]
What homeowners insurance costs in Wyoming: average premium, 2023 $1,853 a year in Wyoming vs. $1,737 countrywide · 14th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)
On this page
Wyoming's market right now
WDOI has published few figures on the homeowners market. What it has said:
- On its fire loss page, WDOI says: "With the ever growing risk of wildfires in Wyoming, the Department feels it is important that all consumers have the resources needed to protect themselves and their property." It says fire losses caused "over two million dollars worth of damage in Wyoming in 2021." - In a Commissioner's Corner post looking back on 2025 ("As we begin 2026"), WDOI says its consumer unit "handled 1,436 consumer inquires and closed 445 complaints" and "recovered $1.8 million for Wyoming consumers." These figures cover all kinds of insurance, not just homeowners.
WDOI also lists what it cannot do. It can't "make an insurance company insure you (unless there is unfair discrimination)" or "regulate rates that an insurer charges (except in very limited circumstances)." [5][6][7]
Can't find insurance? No FAIR plan in Wyoming
Many states have a FAIR plan, a state-created pool that sells basic property insurance when regular insurers won't. PIPSO, the national service office for these plans, lists none for Wyoming, and Wyoming's Insurance Code (Title 26 of the Wyoming Statutes) does not create one.
WDOI's consumer page links a national consumer's guide to home insurance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It says: "Contact your state insurance department to see if your state has a FAIR Plan, wind pool, or other residual market mechanism information or market assistance program available." In Wyoming, that means WDOI's Consumer Affairs Section at (800) 438-5768 or (307) 777-7402.
Surplus lines insurers are companies not licensed (admitted) in Wyoming that may cover homes licensed insurers turn down. Wyoming law requires every surplus lines policy to carry this notice in bold type: "This insurance contract is issued pursuant to the Wyoming Nonadmitted Insurance Laws by an insurer neither licensed by nor under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Insurance Department. In the event of insolvency of the surplus lines insurer, losses will not be paid by the Wyoming Insurance Guaranty Association or the Wyoming Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association." Before placing you with a surplus lines insurer, the agent must give you a written notice with this disclosure, and you sign and date a copy to show you received it.
See our surplus lines guide and our national FAIR plan guide. [1][2][3][4]
Wyoming's FEMA disaster record since 2000
Federal disaster declarations for Wyoming, 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
- Red Canyon Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2025-08-15
- Wildfires Fire · Major disaster · declared 2024-11-13
- Elk Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2024-09-30
- House Draw Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2024-08-22
- Pleasant Valley Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2024-07-30
- Happy Jack Fire Fire · Fire management · declared 2024-03-01
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 Wyoming
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: 3 inches, Laramie County, August 1, 2025.
Most reports of 1-inch-plus hail, 2016–2025: Laramie (342), Goshen (169), Campbell (155), Crook (152), Platte (128).
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 Wyoming have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 70% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 70% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.
Of Wyoming's 395,158 buildings, 50% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 38% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 12% 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 | 540 | 53,496 |
| 2022 | 443 | 25,766 |
| 2023 | 249 | 7,934 |
| 2024 | 738 | 620,069 |
| 2025 | 505 | 172,810 |
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 Wyoming in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.
2026 so far: 68,375 acres burned in wildfires reported to the national interagency fire-incident system (IRWIN) for Wyoming, 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.
If your insurer cancels or won't renew
Wyoming's rules for property and casualty policies are in W.S. 26-35-101 through 26-35-204 (the statutes as posted by the Legislature in May 2026):
| Situation | What Wyoming law says |
|---|---|
| New policy, in effect less than 60 days (not a renewal) | The mid-term cancellation limits below don't apply |
| Cancelling mid-term after that | Only for nonpayment, material misrepresentation, a substantial change in the risk, or substantial breach of policy duties |
| Notice of cancellation for nonpayment | At least 10 days, in writing, stating the precise reason |
| Notice of cancellation for the other reasons | At least 45 days, stating the precise reason (no advance notice period is set for material misrepresentation) |
| Nonrenewal | At least 45 days before the expiration or anniversary date, stating the precise reason |
| Renewal on less favorable terms or at higher rates | Renewal terms and premium due at least 45 days before expiration |
Notices must be delivered or mailed to you and your agent. If the insurer doesn't send the renewal terms as required, you may cancel the renewal policy within 45 days after you receive them, and the premium for that time is figured at your old rate. A nonrenewal that doesn't follow these rules "is ineffective." An insurer that cancels must refund any unearned premium before the cancellation. Cancelling an entire block, line or class of business mid-term is presumed unfair and is unlawful.
Storm and other natural-cause claims (W.S. 26-23-107). A homeowners policy can't be "denied renewal as a result of a single claim within a three (3) year period arising from natural causes," and can't be cancelled mid-term "as a result of any claim arising from natural causes." A natural cause is one "occasioned exclusively by the violence of nature where all human agency is excluded." The Insurance Commissioner may order a policy reinstated, with no lapse in coverage, if it was cancelled or nonrenewed in violation of this law.
Questions aren't claims (W.S. 26-23-108). An insurer may not cancel, refuse to renew, or raise your renewal premium based on your claims history unless that history leaves out inquiries: calls or other questions about your coverage that didn't result in a claim being filed or paid. If an insurer raised your premium in violation of this law, the Commissioner may order the increase returned with 10% yearly interest.
Reports on your home (W.S. 26-23-106). If an insurer uses an outside report or database to underwrite a new homeowners policy and doesn't act on it within 45 days of issuing a binder, it can't later decline or end coverage based on that information. It can still act on the condition of the home found in a physical inspection.
2025 change: A 2025 law (Senate File 52, effective July 1, 2025) removed an exception for personal auto policies from these rules. It did not change the notice periods for homeowners policies.
See our nonrenewal guide. [3][8]
Wildfire and hail: protecting your home
Wyoming's Insurance Code has no law requiring insurers to give discounts for wildfire mitigation or for FORTIFIED or hail-resistant roofs. WDOI's fire loss page links a guide from the NAIC and partners, including the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, on how wildfire mitigation applies to insured property, and invites questions about the methods in it. See WDOI's fire loss prevention page and our wildfire home hardening guide.
The NAIC consumer guide on WDOI's site says: "Make sure you ask the insurance agent if you qualify for any discounts." [2][3][5]
Flood is separate
The NAIC guide WDOI links says: "Homeowners policies don't cover flood damage." You may be able to buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Our sister site FloodHawk covers flood zones and flood insurance. [2]
Where to get help
WDOI's Consumer Affairs Section answers questions about policies and claims and investigates complaints, including about "the cancelation or termination of an insurance policy."
- Toll free: (800) 438-5768
- Phone: (307) 777-7402
- Complaints: WDOI's online complaint portal
Before filing, WDOI asks you to contact the insurer and ask it to resolve the issue, and to keep records of calls (numbers, names, dates and a short summary) and copies of all letters and emails. For a paper complaint form, call (307) 777-7402. WDOI can't act as your lawyer, recommend an insurer or agent, or force a company to pay your claim. [4][7]
Questions people ask
Does Wyoming have a FAIR plan?
No. PIPSO's national list of FAIR plans includes none for Wyoming, and the state's Insurance Code doesn't create one. Ask the Wyoming Department of Insurance at (800) 438-5768 about your options, including surplus lines insurers. [1][2][3][4]
How much notice must a Wyoming insurer give before not renewing my homeowners policy?
At least 45 days before the expiration or anniversary date, in writing, and the notice must state the precise reason. A nonrenewal that doesn't follow the law is ineffective. [3]
Can my Wyoming insurer drop me after a storm claim?
Wyoming law protects claims "arising from natural causes," meaning damage caused only by nature with no human role. An insurer can't refuse to renew over a single such claim within a three-year period, and can't cancel mid-term over any such claim (W.S. 26-23-107). The Insurance Commissioner can order a policy reinstated if an insurer breaks this rule. [3]
Sources (8)
- Current PIPSO Members and Links of Interest, Property Insurance Plans Service Office (PIPSO). Accessed October 13, 2026.
- A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance (NAIC, posted on WDOI's consumer page), National Association of Insurance Commissioners, via Wyoming Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Wyoming Statutes Title 26, Insurance Code (W.S. 26-11-109, 26-23-106 to 26-23-108, 26-35-101 to 26-35-204), Wyoming Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Consumers, Wyoming Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Fire Loss Prevention, Wyoming Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Commissioner's Corner, Wyoming Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Consumer Information, Wyoming Department of Insurance. Accessed October 13, 2026.
- Senate File 52 (2025), Enrolled Act No. 65: Insurance amendments, Wyoming Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.