The news: San Francisco-based insurer Stand announced a $70 million Series C round at a $1 billion valuation on October 15, 2026, bringing total funding to $130 million. The round was led by Saga Ventures, with Lowercarbon, Eclipse, Equal Ventures, Inspired Capital, Neotribe, and Jackson Square Ventures participating, reported Pulse2. Stand says it now insures more than $10 billion of property — up 10x in a year — and is growing about 15% per month.
Why it matters: Stand is the most aggressive attempt yet to fix how high-risk homes get priced. It prices wildfire and hurricane risk per individual home — simulating your specific property — instead of sorting whole neighborhoods by zip code. In its demo, removing one risky tree cut a home's premium by more than $1,100 a year, per Fortune's exclusive report. Here's what it means for your premium.
In this guide
What Stand announced
- $70 million Series C at a $1 billion valuation, led by Saga Ventures; total raised $130 million.
- More than $10 billion of property insured, up roughly 10x in twelve months at about 15% monthly growth.
- Policies underwritten by Concert Specialty Insurance Company in California and Stand Insurance Exchange in Florida, with reinsurance from Arch, RenaissanceRe, Hannover, Nephila, and Hiscox.
The company operates in only two states: California (wildfire) and Florida (hurricanes) — the two hardest homeowners markets in the country. It plans to use the capital to expand into new markets and keep building its simulation technology.
How per-home wildfire pricing works
Traditional insurers price wildfire risk by looking at past disasters and sorting homes by zip code: if your zip code burned five years ago, everyone there pays more, regardless of what any individual house looks like. Stand argues that backward-looking model is what's breaking the market.
Its Stand World Model builds a digital representation of each home and simulates how that specific house would perform under fire, wind, and other disasters, factoring in construction, surroundings (trees, vegetation, neighboring structures), and weather exposure — then pinpoints the most cost-effective fixes, per Stand's announcement. The company helps homeowners implement the upgrades — connecting them with service providers and verifying the work — and insures the hardened home with a discount reflecting the lower modeled risk.
Why this is happening now
Traditional insurers are retreating from climate-driven risks. A report published this week by UK nonprofit Inside Track — based on two dozen senior insurance professionals — warns the retreat has already begun and will accelerate, pushing more uninsured losses onto governments and homeowners, reported Asia Insurance Post. Industry leaders have sounded similar alarms: Aviva's CEO says homes being built in the UK today already face becoming uninsurable due to flood risk, and an Allianz director has warned entire regions could become uninsurable.
The US version is familiar: California wildfire nonrenewals, the California FAIR Plan's roughly 29% rate hike taking effect this fall, and Florida's years-long crisis. Where incumbents pull back, a fast-growing carrier offering per-home pricing and coverage for hardened homes becomes a real option — and a $70 million bet at a unicorn valuation suggests investors think the demand is durable.
What it means for your premium
Stand says resilient homes can qualify for discounts of up to 70% — a company claim, so treat the headline figure carefully, but the direction matters:
- Hardened homes get rewarded; good homes aren't punished for their zip code. Two identical houses in different fire zones no longer get lumped together — but a home with a wood-shake roof and pines against the walls pays for it specifically.
- Mitigation becomes a financial decision. When removing one tree is worth more than $1,100 a year in premium, the math on defensible space changes fast.
- Availability matters as much as price. In counties where major carriers stopped writing new policies, a carrier backed by $130 million of capital is an alternative to the FAIR Plan or an insurer of last resort.
The caveats: Stand is only in California and Florida today, and per-home digital underwriting is unproven at true scale. Treat it as one more quote to get, not a silver bullet.
What to do now in high-risk areas
- Clear vegetation hugging the house. Trees and dry brush within about 5 feet of the structure are the single biggest wildfire lever — and now a premium lever too. Aim for 30–100 feet of defensible space.
- Upgrade the vulnerable parts. Class A fire-rated roofing, ember-resistant vents, and enclosed eaves are the classic trio that cuts real risk and qualifies for discounts.
- Ask your current insurer for mitigation discounts by name. Many states, including California, require insurers to discount qualifying wildfire mitigation work. If your carrier won't, shop around.
- Get multiple quotes before every renewal. Florida and California markets are shifting fast. Our home insurance estimator helps you benchmark what you should pay.
- Know the flood gap. Wildfire policies don't cover flooding, and hurricanes need separate flood cover — see our Florida flood insurance cost guide.
New to all of this? Our first-time buyers guide covers coverage types, deductibles, and what determines your homeowners premium.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stand available in my state?
Only if you're in California or Florida right now. Stand writes wildfire coverage in California and hurricane coverage in Florida, and says the $70M raise will fund expansion — check back if you're in another high-risk state like Texas, Colorado, or Arizona.
Does per-home pricing replace traditional homeowners insurance?
No — Stand sells standard homeowners policies; the difference is the underwriting model. Your premium is tied to your specific home's modeled risk instead of your zip code's claims history.
Can I get mitigation discounts from other insurers?
Often, yes. California requires insurers to discount qualifying wildfire mitigation, and several states mandate wind-mitigation discounts for hurricane hardening. Ask your carrier what your upgrades qualify for — and document the work with photos and receipts.
Does a $1B valuation mean the company is stable?
A valuation is investor confidence, not a financial-strength rating. What matters is the carrier behind the policy and its reinsurance. Always check any insurer's financial-strength rating and complaint record with your state insurance department before buying.