What to do if your home insurer won't renew your policy

Homeowners insurance nonrenewals are on the rise as private insurers steer clear of locations at high risk for natural disasters.

The West Coast's blazing wildfires are leaving some Californians scrambling to find coverage, while many Floridians are facing nonrenewals during hurricane season.

In the midst of changing climate conditions and increasing weather-related catastrophes, it's more crucial than ever to have insurance coverage for your home to have peace of mind. Here's what to do if your homeowners insurance policy isn't renewed.

Know your rights

An insurance company is usually required to provide a nonrenewal notice, typically at least 30 days prior to the end of coverage, unless you've missed a payment or committed fraud on your application. But you might get more time to find a new policy. For example, Florida homeowners could get up to 120 days' notice, according to Stacey Giulianti, chief legal officer for Florida Peninsula Insurance Company.

If you believe you were wrongly dropped, you can contest the nonrenewal. You'll likely need to prove that your home isn't in a high-risk area, or that you've made efforts to mitigate that risk, like replacing the roof or removing flammable shrubs near your house.

Make home improvements

Inspections give homeowners the opportunity to fix problems, like leaky roofs or exposed electrical wiring, so they can keep an insurance policy, according to Michael Peltier, media relations manager for Citizens Property Insurance.

Shop around for another policy

Your previous insurer may not be an option, but you should still shop around. "There's almost always another company … that will pick you up," Giulianti says.

An independent insurance agent can research home insurance quotes for companies in your area. You can also ask your real estate agent, mortgage lender, homebuilder or previous owner for a list of companies, or call your state's insurance department.

Turn to your state's shared market option

Consider surplus lines

If you've exhausted all other options, surplus lines insurance may be available. Provided by specialized insurers that are regulated differently from standard companies, surplus lines offer coverage for risky properties when other insurers won't. Available companies may vary by state.