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California's insurance crisis
is killing closings.
Presto solves it.

State Farm pulled out. Allstate pulled out. FAIR Plan premiums are through the roof. If your NorCal property can't get coverage, it can't close — and most brokers don't know what to do. Presto does.

Get Pre-Approved → Understand the Crisis ↓
The Problem

No insurance. No loan. No close.

Every conventional and FHA mortgage requires hazard insurance as a condition of closing. With major carriers pulling out of California — especially in fire-prone zip codes — getting coverage has become a closing killer.

The FAIR Plan is the insurer of last resort — but FAIR Plan policies don't always satisfy lender requirements, and the premiums can spike DTI ratios enough to kill loan approval. Buyers and agents often find out too late.

Presto factors insurance early. We identify coverage risk in the pre-approval phase — not at conditional approval — so the solution is found before the timeline is compromised.

Which zip codes are affected

More than you think.

  • Any property within 100 feet of brush or wildland
  • Properties in Cal Fire High Hazard Severity Zones
  • Foothill and mountain communities in all NorCal counties
  • Many zip codes in Fresno, Stockton, and Sacramento suburbs
  • Parts of Marin, Contra Costa, Solano, and Napa counties
  • Any property where a carrier recently non-renewed the seller

You don't need to be in a wildfire zone to be affected. Carriers have pulled back from entire zip codes regardless of individual property risk. Presto checks insurance exposure on every file.

Presto's Approach

Four moves that keep closings on track.

01

Early Identification

Insurance risk is assessed during pre-approval, not at conditional approval. We know the zip code issues before we start the clock.

02

Surplus Lines Referrals

Presto maintains relationships with independent agents who specialize in surplus lines coverage — the carriers still writing in hard-to-insure areas.

03

FAIR Plan Strategy

When FAIR Plan is the only option, we structure the premium into DTI calculations upfront — no surprises at closing that blow the loan approval.

04

Lender Guidance

Not all lenders accept all insurance types. Presto matches the right lender to the insurance solution available — keeping the deal viable.

Insurance & Mortgage FAQ

Your questions answered.

Sometimes — and it depends on the lender. Some lenders accept FAIR Plan as the primary carrier; others require a companion policy from a private carrier. Presto knows which lenders accept which insurance structures and matches your file accordingly.
Hazard insurance premium is included in your monthly housing expense calculation (PITI — principal, interest, taxes, insurance). A significantly higher premium from a FAIR Plan or surplus lines policy can push your DTI ratio above program thresholds. Presto models this early so you know what you can afford before you're under contract.
Surplus lines carriers are insurance companies licensed to write policies that standard (admitted) carriers won't write. They're regulated differently and premiums aren't state-approved, but they're a legitimate and often necessary solution in California's hard-to-insure markets. Most standard insurance agents don't specialize in surplus lines — Presto knows who does.
For properties in at-risk zip codes, Presto recommends getting an insurance quote before going under contract — not just before closing. A property that can't get insurable coverage, or where the only coverage available blows your DTI, isn't a property you can actually buy. Knowing this early protects you and your agent.

Don't let insurance kill your closing.

Start with Presto. We identify insurance risk early, solve it early, and keep your timeline intact.