Skip to main content

California Home Insurance

No matter where you live in California – beach, city, mountains or desert – Amica provides quality home insurance to protect your investment. With customized coverage to fit your environment, you can enjoy your home with confidence and peace of mind.

Is home insurance required in California?

California law doesn’t require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to carry homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it’s still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical California homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers accidental damage or injury to another person on their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, so it’s important to make sure you have the right protection in place if a flood occurs. Flood insurance is available through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. Many mortgage companies require it when a home is in or near a floodplain, but floods can happen anywhere. Adding this coverage can help you stay protected no matter where you live.

Additional coverages in California

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your California homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipe, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they typically exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they’re adequately covered against loss or damage.

In California, standard homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for damage caused by earth movement, like earthquakes. This means that if your home is damaged by an earthquake, your repairs won't be covered. You can help protect your home and belongings by purchasing through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) or GeoVera.

Key factors impacting California homeowners insurance rates

The location of your home is a factor that impact home insurance premiums. Different areas may face varying risks and exposures, such as your proximity to wildfire-prone areas. 

Your California insurance policy should be as unique as your residence, tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. That’s why we emphasize the importance of selecting the right coverage. By customizing your policy to suit your coverage needs, you not only ensure adequate protection for your home but also gain some control over your rates.

Explore California home insurance discounts for more savings

There are several ways California homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a California home with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount.
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or fully remodeled home. 
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions.

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle home and auto insurance with the same company. In fact, homeowners in California who bundle their policies with Amica may qualify for a valuable multiline discount.1

Facts and figures about California

Common claims in California:

The hot, dry and windy climate in certain parts of California may lead to wildfires. Homeowners insurance in California often includes coverage for damage caused by fire.

  • Wildfires: The combination of rising temperatures and dry conditions makes California particularly susceptible to wildfires, which can result in the loss of homes and personal belongings. These damages are generally covered by homeowners insurance, subject to certain limits or exclusions. 
  • Roof damage: High winds can result in property damage, including roof damage and falling trees. Homeowners insurance usually covers roof damage caused by hail, wind or fallen trees, although coverage may be subject to certain exclusions or limitations.

California homeowners may want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage for specific risks, such as flood or earthquake insurance.

Fun facts about California:

  • California has both the highest and lowest points in the continental U.S. – Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet and the Badwater Basin in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level – located about 100 miles apart.2
  • California has 58 counties, with San Bernardino County being the largest in the U.S. at 20,105 square miles. This one county is bigger than the entire state of Massachusetts.2
  • California is renowned for its midcentury modern architecture, especially in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Eichler homes, named after the builder Joseph Eichler, are particularly notable in California, with over 10,000 constructed throughout the state.3

How to get home insurance in California

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in California. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to California homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful California.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

AMIC-18-050127

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary
2 101 Interesting Facts About California
3 Midcentury Mood: The Eichler Homes of California

 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

This inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statement herein (“Third-Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third-Party Content expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third-Party Content.

This content may contain helpful tips, explanation and advice. Your use of this information is voluntary and may not be effective in every circumstance. Amica encourages you to use good judgement and put safety first.

For more information on our editorial process and content standard, take a look at our editorial guidelines.