We are roofers, not insurance agents. But over the last three years, more of our customer conversations have started with an insurance letter than with a leak.
"They will not renew unless I replace the roof."
"They want to know how old it is and I have no idea."
"I got moved to the FAIR Plan and the premium doubled."
Here is what is going on in the California insurance market as it affects Butte County homeowners, what your roof has to do with it, and what you can do about it. This is general information from what we see in the field. Talk to your agent about your specific policy.
Roof age is now a coverage question
Several California insurers have tightened their rules on roof age. Some carriers will not write a new policy on a roof older than 25 years, with tile and slate sometimes excepted. Others will insure an older asphalt roof but pay only actual cash value on it, meaning a depreciated amount rather than the cost to replace.
The California FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, moved in 2026 to pay only actual cash value on roofs older than 25 years.
For a lot of Chico homeowners, this is the first time anyone has asked how old the roof is. If you do not know, we can usually tell you within a few years from an inspection, and we can put it in writing.
The FAIR Plan is not a small program anymore
The FAIR Plan grew from about 465,000 policies in fall 2024 to more than 668,000 by the end of 2025. A 29 percent rate increase takes effect in October 2026.
Butte County is one of the counties the state has flagged as having a high share of fire-risk structures, which is why so many foothill homeowners have ended up there. The FAIR Plan covers fire but not much else, so most people carry a second policy for everything the FAIR Plan leaves out.
The goal for most homeowners is to get back to the regular market. That is where the roof comes in.
Wildfire discounts depend on the roof
California's Safer from Wildfires regulation requires insurers to offer discounts for specific hardening steps and to tell you your wildfire risk score. The roof-related items on that list:
- A Class A fire-rated roof
- Ember-resistant and fire-resistant vents
- Enclosed eaves
- Clearing debris from the roof and gutters
- A five-foot ember-resistant zone around the house
Every roof we install in a hazard zone meets Chapter 7A and the Class A standard, and we replace vents with WUI-listed models. We document the install with photos and a materials list so you have something to hand your agent. Our article on wildfire-ready roofing in Butte County explains each item.
The 2025 fire hazard maps put thousands of acres of Chico into High and Very High zones for the first time. If your address moved, your insurer knows. The hardening discounts are one of the few levers you have.
What your insurer wants to see
When an insurer asks for roof information, they usually want:
- The install date and the contractor who did it
- The material and its fire rating
- Photos of the roof surface, penetrations, and edges
- A permit record, which the City of Chico or Butte County can confirm
A roof installed without a permit is a roof with no paper trail. That is one more reason we pull one on every job.
If you had a roof installed by us at any point in the last 75 years, call the office. We can often confirm the date and material from our records.
Wind, hail, and storm claims
Most homeowner policies cover sudden damage from wind and falling objects. They do not cover wear and tear.
After a north wind event or a storm, the difference between a paid claim and a denied one is usually documentation. Photos taken right away, an inspection report from a licensed roofer, and a dated estimate make it clear that the damage came from an event.
We will document what we find honestly. We do not file claims on your behalf, we do not waive deductibles, and we do not inflate scope to match a settlement. Contractors who do those things have made insurers suspicious of every roofing claim in the state, and it hurts the honest homeowners.
Should you replace a roof to keep your coverage?
Sometimes. Not always.
If your roof is 25 years old and the insurer will not renew, replacing it is usually cheaper than losing coverage or moving to the FAIR Plan and a second policy. A new Class A roof with proper vents may also earn you the wildfire discounts and get you back into the regular market.
If your roof is 18 years old and in good shape, a documented inspection may be enough. We will tell you which situation you are in. Our guide on repair versus replacement covers how we make that call.
What we can do for you
We can:
- Inspect your roof and estimate its age and remaining life in writing
- Photograph and document the roof for your insurer
- Install a Class A roof with ember-resistant vents that qualifies for hardening discounts
- Confirm permit and install records for roofs we have done
We cannot tell you what your policy covers or what your premium should be. Your agent can. Bring them our report and let them work with it.
The insurance market in California is going to keep changing. A roof that is documented, fire-rated, and in good condition is the best position to be in whatever comes next.
Contact us for an inspection and a written report you can share with your insurer.
