Offering application to funding in five days, expansion gives California homeowners a new way to put their home equity to work fast

CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kin, the direct-to-consumer provider of insurance and home finance solutions for homeowners, today announced that its home equity line of credit (HELOC) is now available in California through its Kin Financing, LLC affiliate. The launch brings Kin’s direct-lending model to California homeowners who have struggled with rising home ownership costs. This is the 3rd product expansion for Kin in California this year, closely following the launch of its condo and flood insurance products.

“With mortgage rates higher than they’ve been in years, many homeowners don’t want to sell and give up the low rate they locked in. A HELOC lets them use the equity they’ve already built for a renovation, repair, tuition, or even pay down higher-interest debt, without touching their original mortgage,” said President of Kin Financing Sachin Adarkar. “Bringing our HELOC to California is a natural next step in what we’re building here. We started with home insurance, added condo and flood coverage this summer, and now we’re expanding into home financing.”

Traditional lenders like banks and credit unions often subject homeowners to in-person visits and a lengthy 30-to-45-day waiting period just to get a decision. The Kin HELOC application is completed online and uses automated underwriting, beginning with a soft credit check that does not affect the applicant’s credit score. Eligible homeowners can receive an approval decision in as few as five minutes and funding in as few as five days.

Kin’s California HELOC includes:

• A fully online application that allows homeowners to link their bank accounts while Kin’s automated underwriting handles the rest.
• Funding of up to $750,000, with the ability to redraw up to 100% of the line as it is repaid.
• Approval in as few as five minutes and funding in as few as five days.
• Remote online notarization in counties that allow e-signatures to be recorded.
• A direct debt payoff feature that allows borrowers to pay off credit card debt as part of the loan process

California homeowners can use the funds to pay down higher-interest credit card debt, complete a renovation or repair, or invest in home-hardening projects such as defensible-space clearance and other wildfire mitigation upgrades.

Early results from Kin’s California HELOC pilot reflect the speed and access homeowners desire: one customer who used a Kin HELOC for debt consolidation was approved within minutes, reviewed their loan offers and signed in less than 45 minutes, then completed the digital notary process in less than 24 hours and received funding within 6 days of starting the application process. These turnaround times set a new benchmark for the industry, creating a frictionless path for homeowners to unlock their equity without unnecessary delays.

Already operational in Florida, Kin is also pursuing lending licenses in additional states, following the same state-by-state approach it has used to expand its home insurance business.

Deepening a commitment to California

Kin has made coverage available to Californians both before and after the devastating January 2025 wildfires. Today, the company continues adding options for California homeowners, including new condo insurance and a flood endorsement announced this summer. The addition of a HELOC extends Kin’s role beyond insurance and gives homeowners another way to put the equity they have built to work.

California homeowners can check their rate or learn more about Kin’s HELOC at kin.com/heloc.

Known for its positive customer experience, Kin earns a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Google based on 9,401 customer reviews, an A+ and 4.87 out of 5 rating with the Better Business Bureau based on 2,085 customer reviews, and an “Excellent” rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot based on 8,439 customer reviews (as of September 28, 2026).

About Kin

Kin helps homeowners save money, simplify tasks, and protect their most valuable assets. By offering direct-to-consumer digital home and auto insurance alongside home finance services, the company focuses on supporting underserved homeowners in states with high catastrophic risk. Kin provides more convenient and affordable home and auto insurance coverage by eliminating the need for external agents and analyzing thousands of data points to provide transparent, accurate pricing. Kin’s AI-native technology platform delivers a seamless customer experience, customized options, and fast, high-quality service. To learn more, visit www.kin.com.

Insurance products in California are offered through Kin Distributor Insurance Services, a California surplus lines broker (license #6014763). Coverage is underwritten by a company that is not licensed or regulated by the California Insurance Commissioner. Policies in California are marketed and sold in coordination with Elite Personal Insurance Agency (CA License #6001284).

Financing products are offered through Kin Financing, LLC, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 910, Chicago, IL 60654 | NMLS #2725728. Kin Financing, LLC is a state licensed lender and acts as a lender and broker, and is a wholly owned affiliate of Kin Insurance, Inc. Because of this relationship, the referral of a consumer to Kin Financing by Kin Insurance or vice versa, may result in a financial or other benefit to Kin Insurance.  Kin Financing is independently operated and managed through its own management and governance structure. 

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SOURCE Kin Insurance, Inc.