Utah Leads U.S. in Homeowners Policy Non-Renewals Amid Rising Wildfire Threat
Utah now has the highest rate of insurer-initiated homeowners policy non-renewals in the United States, driven by expanding wildfire risk and soaring premiums.
Data from Weiss Ratings, based on insurers’ 2025 filings with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, reveal that Utah recorded the nation’s top homeowner policy non-renewal rate at 4.45%, overtaking traditionally troubled coastal markets. The surge follows a 59% premium increase between 2021 and 2024, now averaging $1,548 annually for a standard $300,000 dwelling policy. Expanding development in wildfire-exposed zones, combined with higher wind, hail losses and rebuilding costs, has prompted carriers to pull back coverage and raise rates.
In response, Utah enacted HB 48 to create official wildfire-risk maps that insurers must reference when evaluating properties. As traditional insurers retreat, more homeowners are seeking coverage from surplus-lines insurers, a niche market that offers higher-priced, less-regulated policies without state guaranty fund protection.
