Orion180 Insurance launched its Residential Private Flood Insurance in California on Aug. 4, 2026, introducing a customizable alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for homeowners facing rising flood risks. The product provides up to $1 million in building coverage with waiting periods as short as 10 days, significantly exceeding the NFIP’s $250,000 cap and standard 30-day wait. This launch addresses a critical gap in the market, where less than 2% of California homeowners currently hold flood insurance, despite projections that major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco will face higher flooding risks within the next 25 years due to atmospheric rivers, urban development, aging infrastructure, and wildfire burn scars.

The new policy leverages data-driven underwriting that utilizes advanced third-party flood mapping and property-specific risk assessments, moving beyond the conventional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps. This approach allows for more accurate pricing and broader protection across X, A, and V flood zones. Unlike traditional options, most homeowners can obtain coverage without needing elevation certificates, extensive paperwork, or additional property inspections, streamlining the application process.

Key Product Features

The Residential Private Flood Insurance is designed to meet FMAC and FNMA mortgage requirements, ensuring smooth approval by lenders. The policy includes several enhanced features tailored to California’s unique environmental challenges:

Market Context and Strategy

Ken Gregg, CEO of Orion180, highlighted that flooding is an increasingly serious issue for homeowners across California, even in areas not traditionally considered high-risk. "Too many homeowners are either uninsured or limited to costly policies with no flexibility," Gregg said. "Our goal is to simplify the process, provide more competitive pricing, and deliver protection that reflects a homeowner’s real flood exposure and not just their zone."

CoreLogic projects that within the next 25 years, environmental changes will extend residential flooding predictions beyond typical high-risk zones. Orion180 aims to capitalize on this shift by offering a solution that combines proprietary technology with real-time data. The company operates as a surplus lines insurer in California and other states, while also functioning as an admitted insurer in select markets. Homeowners can now secure this flood protection alongside their Orion180 FLEX home insurance policies.

Orion180 Insurance has launched FLEX Home Insurance in Colorado, introducing a flexible coverage solution aimed at managing the state's unique environmental and insurance market challenges. The product addresses rising insurance costs driven by severe weather events such as hail and wildfires, which account for 26% to 54% of homeowners insurance premiums in the state, according to 2026 data from the Colorado Division of Insurance. FLEX Home Insurance allows homeowners to tailor coverage to their individual risk tolerance and budget.

The product is powered by proprietary hail and wildfire risk modeling built specifically for Colorado. Instead of relying solely on broad geographic assessments, Orion180's underwriting and rating engine evaluates individual property characteristics to better reflect actual risk exposure. Coverage A limits are available from $300,000 up to $2 million for homes built since 1900. Policyholders can select optional perils, including wind, hail, tornado, and named storm coverage, along with various deductible and co-pay options.

Key Features of FLEX Home Insurance

FLEX Home Insurance offers several customizable features for Colorado residents:

• Multiple roof coverage options, including Replacement Cost Value (RCV), Actual Cash Value (ACV), and Roof Limit selections.
• Broad deductibles ranging from $2,500 or 1% up to $100,000 or 10%.
• Optional co-pay feature that can reduce premiums.
• Excludable coverages, including Loss of Use, Personal Liability, and Medical Payments.

Operational Details

Independent partner agents in Colorado use Orion180's MY180 platform for a streamlined quoting and binding experience. The deployment of FLEX represents a shift away from rigid, one-size-fits-all policies, offering an alternative for homeowners facing strained household budgets. Orion180 serves more than 10,000 partner agents and 500,000 customers, protecting over $130 billion in assets.

Company Overview

Orion180 is a customer-centric insurance brand that combines proprietary technology, real-time data, and advanced underwriting to provide a seamless insurance experience. The company offers flexible and standard home insurance solutions, including FLEX and HO-3 coverage, as well as DP Landlord, flood, and jewelry protection across multiple states, including Colorado. Its proprietary MY180 platform also integrates smart home innovations like the AWTOS water damage mitigation system and PRYZMIQ home self-inspection tool.