Can't Find Home Insurance in Massachusetts? How the FAIR Plan Works
James Brazil lives in Mérida, Mexico. He founded Swift Agent Sites and studied Classics at the University of Mississippi.
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If private insurers will not cover your Massachusetts home, the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA), known as the FAIR Plan, is the state's market of last resort. It provides basic property insurance to eligible homeowners, condo owners and renters who cannot get coverage elsewhere. The Division of Insurance (DOI) regulates it and reviews and approves its rates.
The FAIR Plan is a safety net, not a substitute for shopping. It does not cover flood, and since 2025 some new coastal policies in flood zones require a separate flood policy.
What is the Massachusetts FAIR Plan?
DOI explains that the FAIR Plan was created by state law and acts like an insurance company for people who cannot get coverage in the voluntary market. It is not a state agency and is not state funded. It operates as a joint underwriting association backed by the insurers that write basic property insurance in Massachusetts, and it issues policies and collects premiums as a direct insurer.
Its stated purpose is to provide coverage of last resort rather than compete with private insurers.
Who is eligible?
According to DOI, you may be eligible if:
- The property is residential: a single-family home, a multi-family dwelling or a condominium unit
- The property is in Massachusetts
- You can certify that you made a reasonable effort to get insurance and could not get it elsewhere
You must also meet some conditions, such as showing reasonable steps to maintain the property, that it is not vacant or condemned, and that there are no outstanding tax liens or penalties against it. Some commercial properties may qualify for limited coverage.
DOI says people often end up needing the FAIR Plan after a private insurer declines, cancels or non-renews a policy, for reasons that can include the property's condition, its overall risk, or how much business an insurer wants in an area.
What does the FAIR Plan cover?
DOI lists basic property coverage that includes:
- Fire and smoke damage
- Vandalism and theft
- Limited liability claims
- Windstorm or hail
- Snow or ice collapse
- Damage from vehicles or aircraft
DOI describes FAIR Plan coverage as generally more basic than a standard homeowners policy, but relatively in line with the standard HO-3 form. Read the declarations page and any deductibles closely, including how wind or named-storm losses are handled, since terms vary by policy.
What about flood?
Like private home insurance, the FAIR Plan does not cover flooding. DOI adds that as of 2025, a new FAIR Plan policy for a property in a Special Flood Hazard Area, in a community overseen by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, also requires the homeowner to buy a separate flood insurance policy.
Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) typically has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, according to FEMA, unless it is required by a lender at closing or tied to a flood map change. Do not wait for a storm forecast to buy it. FEMA's flood insurance page explains how the program works.
How do I apply?
DOI lists these steps:
- Contact a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent or broker. Most applicants apply this way.
- Submit an application to the MPIUA and complete its inspection process.
- If you are eligible, the policy is issued after the premium is paid.
You can also apply directly through the MPIUA website without a broker. The MPIUA's phone numbers are (617) 723-3800 and toll-free (800) 392-6108.
Can I move back to a private insurer later?
Yes. DOI says the FAIR Plan is "a safety net, not a punishment," and a voluntary insurer will not charge you more because you were on the FAIR Plan before. If you find a private insurer, you can cancel your FAIR Plan policy with a form from the MPIUA website. Make sure the new policy is active first, so you have no gap.
If you are buying a home, ask about insurance availability early, before your contract deadlines get close.
FAQ
Is the Massachusetts FAIR Plan a state agency? No. DOI says it was created by state law but is not a state agency and is not state funded. It is backed by insurers that write property insurance in Massachusetts.
Who can get a FAIR Plan policy? Owners and renters of residential property in Massachusetts who certify they made a reasonable effort to find insurance and could not, and who meet conditions such as maintaining the property and having no outstanding tax liens.
Does the FAIR Plan cover flood damage? No. Flood requires a separate policy. For new FAIR Plan policies in coastal Special Flood Hazard Areas, DOI says a separate flood policy is now required.
Do I need an agent to apply? No. Most people apply through a licensed agent or broker, but you can apply directly on the MPIUA website.
Will being on the FAIR Plan raise my rates later? DOI says a voluntary insurer will not charge you more because you were on the FAIR Plan in the past.
Next step
A licensed local insurance agent can shop private carriers first, explain FAIR Plan coverage next to any private quote, and check whether your address is in a flood zone that calls for a separate flood policy. Bring any cancellation or non-renewal letters and your current declarations page.
Sources: Massachusetts Division of Insurance: Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, MPIUA (FAIR Plan), FEMA: Flood Insurance.
This is general information for Massachusetts. It is not a recommendation to buy, drop, or switch a specific policy. Confirm current details with the insurer or a licensed agent who knows your situation.
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