California Homeowners Insurance Coverage
California — with its legendary coastline, towering mountain ranges, blooming deserts and deep forests — presents homeowners with potential risks just as powerful as the landscape. Windstorms, blizzards and atmospheric rivers all can deliver serious damage — and a major financial blow. Homeowners insurance, along with other policies1, can help you pay to repair or even rebuild your house, and replace the belongings that make it a home, after disaster strikes.
Insurance coverage for California homeowners
Every home is different, so every home insurance policy is too. In California, many of the risks you face depend on where you live – think: temperature and weather extremes from the Sierra Nevada to Death Valley or proximity to the San Andreas fault. Understanding the types of coverage in a typical home insurance policy, and additional coverages you can choose, can help you build a home insurance policy that fits your home and life.
Additional home insurance coverages
Earthquakes and flooding are not covered by standard homeowners insurance. But you can explore purchasing additional insurance policies if you live in area where your home may face these risks.
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in California?
The average premium for home insurance coverage in California is $1,403 per year1, according to a 2023 report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). However, insurance costs in most states have changed since then. Also, the amount you pay may be different, depending on things like the value and age of your home, how much personal property you want to cover, what deductible you choose and risks specific to your area.
Factors affecting California homeowners insurance costs
Many variables are factored into home insurance premiums, and changes to these elements can increase or decrease the amount you pay.
High-risk areas
Where the potential for damage from a disaster or risk is higher — think: earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, high winds, break-ins — insurance costs are typically higher.
Home value, size, construction and age
The year your home was built, the materials used to build it, the condition of your roof and heating/plumbing/electrical systems and other specific details can impact the cost to repair or replace your home and the cost to insure it.
Home security and safety features
Monitored security and fire alarm systems, smoke and CO2 detectors, reinforced roofs, storm shutters and other features that make your home less susceptible to theft or natural disasters can help lower your home insurance premium.
Deductible
Choosing a higher deductible — one you can afford to pay if you need to make a claim — can reduce the cost of your premium.
Why choose Farmers® for your
California home insurance?
A wide array of coverage options to suit your home & life
Personalized service and support from experienced agents
Exceptional customer service and claims support
Discounts and savings on California homeowners insurance
Homeowners in California can take advantage of multi-policy discounts by bundling home insurance with your California car insurance or other qualified policies. Ask a Farmers agent about all of the discounts you may qualify for, and see how you can save on premiums without compromising coverage with Farmers.
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- Home/California Earthquake Authority discount
- Water Protection Discount
- Home Buyer Discount
- Claim Free Discount
- Fortified Home Discount
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Is homeowners insurance required in California?
No, homeowners insurance is not required by law in California. However, in order to get a home loan, your mortgage lender will likely require you to obtain a certain amount of insurance coverage.
Tips for choosing insurance coverage that fits your home
Inventory your belongings.
A detailed list of your personal property — furniture, appliances, clothing, valuables — can help you zero in on how much insurance you want and serve as a record if you file a claim. It can help you decide whether to insure your belongings for actual cash value (and receive less money for older items) or for replacement cost (to cover the cost of replacing the item). If you own high-value items (think: jewelry, artwork, antiques), you may want to add coverage over your policy limits.
Consider the most common risks in your area.
Does your policy cover these perils, or do you need additional coverage for damage related to an earthquake or flood?
Compare policies and quotes.
Review coverage limits closely and decide if the maximum amount paid out is enough to cover your belongings. For example, a typical home insurance policy may limit coverage for silverware, jewelry and collectibles to $2,000. If you own high-value items, you may want to buy additional coverage.
Understand your deductible.
Your deductible is the amount you will pay out of pocket before your insurance will pay for covered losses. A higher deductible, if you can afford to pay it, can save you money on your premium.
Talk to a California Farmers agent.
Farmers agents live right in your community, know the local risks and can give you straightforward answers about coverage options. They also can steer you to discounts you may be eligible for and help you customize a policy suited to your home and life.
More coverage options in California
Beyond the basic coverages, Farmers Smart Plan Home® offers more options to customize your policy.
- Extended Replacement Cost
- Water Backup and Sump Overflow
- Emergency Mortgage Assistance
- E-Bikes and Golf Carts
- Declining Deductibles®
Additional resources for California homeowners
California Quail
More coverage options in California
MOEN®
Special offer only for
homeowners in California
Reduce damage from plumbing leaks
& get a discount with Moen’s
Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff.
Learn From Experience
Read real-life stories about insurance, renovations, home safety and more from pros and homeowners like you.
Generally, if the cause is sudden and accidental — if an appliance or bathroom fixture springs a leak or a storm blows a tree through your roof and rain pours in — the typical homeowners insurance policy covers resulting water damage.
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When outside forces impact either (or both) of those factors, it can explain why rates may be increasing. But there are steps you can take to help keep your costs down.
Keep in mind that earthquakes aren’t covered by your regular home insurance policy. In some states, you need a separate endorsement that’s designed especially for this hazard.
1 Based on average premium for HO-3 type open perils homeowners policies.