What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Fire Insurance Carrier in Calabasas

If you own a home in Calabasas, Malibu, or the Santa Monica Mountains, you may have recently received an unsettling letter: Your fire insurance is being canceled or not renewed. With wildfire risk rising across Southern California, especially in communities like Topanga, Hidden Hills, and Agoura Hills, major insurance carriers are pulling out or tightening coverage requirements.

Losing your fire insurance is a serious concern—but it’s not the end of the road. Here’s what homeowners in the wildland-urban interface of Calabasas need to know—and do—right now.

1. Don’t Panic—But Don’t Delay

If your insurance provider has dropped your wildfire coverage, you typically have 30 to 90 days before it lapses. Use that time wisely. Gaps in insurance can impact your mortgage, your finances, and your ability to recover from future wildfire events.

2. Explore Local Coverage Options

In high-fire-risk areas like Calabasas, finding a new policy can take persistence. Start by contacting:

• Southern California-based insurance brokers who specialize in high-risk homes
• California FAIR Plan, a last-resort state-backed fire policy
• Non-admitted carriers offering custom wildfire coverage

Some brokers are now working exclusively with Calabasas-area homeowners to find layered solutions (e.g., FAIR Plan + DIC coverage for broader protection).

3. Harden Your Home—and Show the Proof

Insurance carriers are more likely to insure homes that have taken the proper steps to reduce wildfire risk. At Redwood Fire Protection, we help Calabasas homeowners:

• 130 point Home Assessment, Consultation and Action Plan
• Create 100 feet of defensible space through brush clearance, tree trimming, and debris removal
• Install ember-resistant vents, fire-rated roofs, and non-combustible siding
• Retrofit decks, eaves, fences, and other vulnerable areas
• Make sure upgrades are to standards. Redwood Fire Protection exceeds CalFire and NFPA standards

Home hardening is more than protection—it’s negotiation leverage. Some insurers will reconsider if you provide proof of wildfire mitigation.

4. Document Your Defensible Space Work

Redwood Fire Protection will help you keep detailed records of all improvements:

• Before and after photos of defensible space work
• Contractor receipts and materials used
• Fire-safe certification letters or assessments

This documentation can make a big difference when applying for new coverage—or appealing a non-renewal.

5. Work With Your Calabasas Community

If you’re in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills or Old Topanga, chances are your neighbors are facing the same insurance challenges. Get organized with:

• HOA-wide fire mitigation plans – Redwood Fire Protection was specifically created to protect communities.
• Group discounts or coverage bids from insurers
• Access to LA County or CalFire wildfire resilience grants

Fires don’t stop at the property line. Neighborhood-wide fire preparation can lower everyone’s risk—and improve your odds with insurance. And Redwood Fire Protection is here to help.

Final Thoughts: Be Wildfire Ready, Insurance or Not

The best way to defend yourself from fires is to make sure your house is wildfire resistant- insurance or not. If you live in Calabasas or any high-risk Southern California fire zone, you need to take wildfire seriously—especially when insurance options are shrinking. By hardening your home and maintaining defensible space, you not only protect your property but also strengthen your case to regain or retain fire coverage.