FAIR Plan plus DIC: total cost and coverage
How the fire policy and the wrap fit together, and what to budget for both.
How the two policies split the work
Think of the FAIR Plan as the fire core and the DIC as everything wrapped around it. Neither is complete alone; together they cover most of what a standard homeowners policy would.
| Coverage | FAIR Plan | DIC wrap |
|---|---|---|
| Fire, smoke, internal explosion | Yes | No |
| Personal liability | No | Yes |
| Theft of belongings | No | Yes |
| Water damage (plumbing, appliances) | No | Often yes |
| Loss of use / additional living expense | Limited | Broadens it |
| Falling objects, weight of ice or snow | No | Often yes |
What the total costs
Budget for two premiums. The FAIR Plan is priced on your dwelling amount and wildfire hazard; the DIC is priced on the coverages it adds. The combined total is the honest cost of insuring a hard-to-place home.
See how the FAIR Plan premium is set for the fire side, then a broker prices the DIC to match.
Watch the seams between the two policies
Two policies means two deductibles and two sets of terms. The goal is for the DIC to line up cleanly with the FAIR Plan so there is no gap and no accidental overlap.
- Match coverage amounts so the DIC dwelling and contents align with the FAIR Plan
- Confirm loss-of-use limits are adequate once combined
- Understand each policy's deductible - a fire loss and a water loss can trigger different ones
- Make sure liability limits meet your needs (a common target is 300,000 to 500,000 dollars)
When a single policy beats the pair
A surplus lines carrier can sometimes write a single policy that covers fire and everything else, avoiding the two-policy structure entirely. It is worth comparing that against FAIR Plan plus DIC. See surplus lines home insurance and hard-to-insure homes.
We price all three routes
Tell us about your home and we will quote the FAIR Plan, price a DIC wrap to fill the gaps, and check whether a single surplus lines policy covers you for less - then show you the three side by side. Start a free quote and we will do the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is a DIC wrap in California?
A difference-in-conditions (DIC) policy is a separate policy that covers what the FAIR Plan leaves out - liability, theft, water damage, and usually broader loss of use. Homeowners pair it with a FAIR Plan fire policy so the combination works like a standard homeowners policy.
How much does FAIR Plan plus DIC cost together?
It is the sum of two premiums: the FAIR Plan, priced on your dwelling amount and wildfire hazard, plus the DIC, priced on the coverages it adds. The combined total often meets or exceeds a standard homeowners policy, which is why shopping the standard and surplus lines markets first is worthwhile.
Do the FAIR Plan and DIC have separate deductibles?
Yes. They are two policies, so a fire loss under the FAIR Plan and, say, a water-damage loss under the DIC can trigger different deductibles. A broker aligns the two so the coverage amounts match and there is no gap between them.
Is FAIR Plan plus DIC the same as a homeowners policy?
It is close, not identical. Together they cover most of what a standard homeowners policy would - fire, liability, theft, water damage, and loss of use - but as two contracts with two sets of terms. When a single standard or surplus lines policy is available, it is usually simpler and worth comparing.
Can I buy the DIC without the FAIR Plan?
No. A DIC wrap is designed to sit on top of a FAIR Plan fire policy and fill its gaps. It is not a standalone homeowners policy, so you carry both together or you replace the pair with a single full-coverage policy.
Get your free quote
Tell us what you need and a licensed California broker will reach out with real options. Simple situation or complicated one, we shop it the same way.
Prefer to talk? Call (916) 469-5253.