Homeowner's and renter's policies usually do not cover flood, and not every policy covers earthquake damage, so you may need separate coverage for each. Wildfire risk has made coverage harder to find in some places: after some insurers scaled back or stopped writing new policies in higher-risk regions, the Idaho Department of Insurance sent insurers a second data call in May 2026. If a standard insurer will not cover you, surplus lines is a last resort with fewer protections.
The Idaho Department of Insurance says some insurers have scaled back or stopped writing new business in higher-risk regions. Ask an agent whether the address can be insured, and at what price, before you make an offer.
Ask about flood, earthquake and wildfire, and about the deductible for each. Earthquake coverage usually has its own, often higher, deductible.
Homes in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders must carry flood insurance. Buy early: a National Flood Insurance Program policy typically takes 30 days to start.
The Idaho Department of Insurance recommends a home inventory to document your belongings before a loss, and publishes a checklist and a post-disaster claims guide.
Boise Fire offers free wildfire home safety assessments to residents of the City of Boise's designated wildland-urban interface, plus a chipping program for brush you clear for defensible space. Request both at adafireadapted.org.
Usually not. The Idaho Department of Insurance says homeowner's and renter's policies usually do not cover damage from flooding. Flood insurance is bought separately through an agent, often from the National Flood Insurance Program, or directly from the federal government.
Not always. Read your policy or ask your insurer. Earthquake coverage usually comes with a separate, often higher, deductible.
Check your policy or ask your agent; the Idaho Department of Insurance does not say that a standard policy covers it. Also check that your coverage limits match today's replacement costs.
Coverage from insurers not licensed in Idaho, used for risks that standard insurers cannot or will not cover. The Idaho Department of Insurance urges caution: these policies can have limited coverage, higher deductibles, wildfire exclusions and much higher rates, can be dropped midyear, and are not backed by state guaranty associations.
In some regions, yes. The department sent insurers writing homeowner's and dwelling fire policies a data call in 2025 and a second one in May 2026 (Bulletin 26-02), because some insurers scaled back or stopped writing new business in higher-risk areas.
The Idaho Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline is 1-800-721-3272, and Consumer Affairs is (208) 334-4319.
Fees, rules and providers change. Confirm with the official source before you go.
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