safety
Wildfire risk drives 84% spike in California home insurance costs in 5 years, Stanford study finds
By Drew Tuma at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
A new Stanford study found average home insurance premiums have surged 84% in the past five years, with the biggest impacts in high-risk fire zones. Researchers say more homeowners are being pushed into the state's costly FAIR Plan as insurers pull back coverage.
Key takeaway Researchers say more homeowners are being pushed into the state's costly FAIR Plan as insurers pull back coverage.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The surge in home insurance premiums has significant implications for San Francisco residents, particularly those living in areas prone to wildfires. As insurers pull back coverage, more homeowners are being forced into the state's FAIR Plan, which can be costly. This trend is likely to affect not only homeowners in high-risk fire zones but also those in surrounding areas, as insurance companies reassess their risk exposure. San Francisco's unique geography, with its mix of urban and wildland areas, makes it vulnerable to wildfire risks. The city's residents may see their insurance premiums increase, even if they don't live in high-risk zones, as insurers adjust their rates to account for the overall risk profile of the area. This could lead to a ripple effect, impacting housing affordability and the overall cost of living in San Francisco.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The San Francisco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A new Stanford study found average home insurance premiums have surged 84% in the past five years, with the biggest impacts in high-risk fire zones. Researchers say more homeowners are being pushed into the state's costly FAIR Plan as insurers pull back coverage.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Drew Tuma at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter