In the midst of changing climate conditions and increasing weather-related disasters, it is more important than ever to have home insurance coverage for peace of mind. Here's what you should do if your homeowners insurance policy hasn't been renewed.

1. Know your rights

Unless you've missed a payment or committed fraud on your application, an insurance company is usually required to provide a non-renewal notice at least 30 days before the end of coverage. However, you may be given more time to find a new policy. According to Stacey Giulianti, chief legal officer for Florida Peninsula Insurance Company, Florida homeowners could receive up to 120 days' notice.

If you believe you were wrongfully dropped, you have the right to appeal the non-renewal. You'll almost certainly need to demonstrate that your home isn't in a high-risk area, or that you've taken steps to mitigate that risk, such as replacing the roof or removing flammable shrubs near your home.

2. Make home improvements

If your policy isn't renewed due to a failed inspection, making the necessary changes could help you keep coverage, even if you live in a high-risk area.

According to Michael Peltier, media relations manager for Citizens Property Insurance, inspections give homeowners the opportunity to fix problems such as leaky roofs or exposed electrical wiring so they can keep their insurance policy.

Consider upgrading the building materials in your home when making improvements. According to Giulianti, newer materials may withstand weather disasters better than older ones while also lowering your insurance costs. “A hundred-year-old houses... will not withstand storms in the same way as a brand-new concrete building.”

Building improvements could include:

• To reduce fire damage, replace walls with fire-resistant materials such as stucco or fiber-cement siding.
• To prevent roof damage, impact-resistant shingles are being installed.
• If you live near the coast, consider installing hurricane-resistant windows.

3. Shop around for another policy

Even if your previous insurer is no longer an option, you should still shop around. “Almost always, there's another company... that will pick you up,” Giulianti says.

An independent insurance agent can look up home insurance quotes for local businesses. You can also get a list of companies from your real estate agent, mortgage lender, homebuilder, or previous owner, or call your state's insurance department.

4. Make use of your state's shared market option.

If you are still unable to find coverage, you may need to consider a state-run shared market policy. Many states provide Fair Access to Insurance Requirements policies for high-risk homes, as well as beach and windstorm insurance for coastal properties. FAIR policies, aptly named "last-resort" policies, provide limited coverage and are frequently more expensive than a standard home policy from a private insurer.

California’s FAIR Plan

The California FAIR Plan provides insurance for fire, lightning, internal explosions, and smoke damage, with optional coverage available at an additional cost. As the state's wildfires worsen, more customers are turning to the FAIR Plan for coverage, and this trend is expected to continue, according to Natalie Haskell, a spokesperson for the California FAIR Plan, in an email.

These policies, however, do not cover everything that standard homeowners insurance policies do, such as personal liability, belongings, or additional living expenses. In order to create a comprehensive home insurance policy, homeowners in California must purchase a “difference in conditions” policy that supplements FAIR Plan coverage.

Florida’s state-run insurer

Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's last-resort insurer, has also seen an increase in policy sales. However, the reasons vary — worsening hurricane seasons, combined with increased litigation, have increased home insurance costs and non-renewals in the state.

Citizens provide coverage similar to that of private insurers, such as dwelling, personal property, other structures, and additional living expenses, though limits may be lower. In some areas, the company also sells wind-only policies, which cover damage caused by hurricanes and other wind-related disasters. Policies are only available through a third-party agent.

5. Take into account surplus lines

Surplus lines insurance may be available if all other options have been exhausted. Surplus lines, which are provided by specialized insurers that are regulated differently than standard companies, provide coverage for risky properties when other insurers will not. Companies that are available vary by state, so speak with an insurance agent about surplus lines after being rejected by at least three other insurers.