Homeowners Insurance California

California Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners Insurance California California residents have so much to enjoy – from beautiful beaches to majestic mountains. And even though the Golden State sees a lot more sun than most of the country, the west coast climate can also be hard on California homeowners.
 
Common natural disasters have been known to cause severe devastation throughout the state. That’s why it’s important to have good insurance coverage so you know your home is as protected as possible. At The Hartford, we offer great options for homeowners insurance. California providers should give the kind of coverage that allows homeowners to have peace of mind – and that’s what we strive to do.
 
We also know that weather isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Challenges like fire, lightning and even vandalism or theft can cause significant damage to your home and other structures. Our home insurance policies can help keep you protected when the unexpected strikes. It doesn’t matter where you live, whether it’s the Bay Area, San Francisco, Napa Valley, San Diego or anywhere in between. Our homeowners insurance can help protect your home from financial loss.
 

Types of California Homeowner Insurance

Unlike California car insurance, homeowners insurance isn’t required by law in the state. However, if your home is financed with a mortgage, your lender may require some type of homeowners insurance. California has many home insurance companies that offer protection, and it can be hard to determine which one is the best for you. The Hartford strives to put our customers first and is the only home insurance company endorsed by AARP.® With our flexible options, discount offers and expert service, you’ll know that your CA home is getting great protection.
 
Plus, our policies come with a wide array of coverages, including:
 
Personal Liability Insurance, which helps provide for your legal defense when a liability claim is filed against you. For example, if your friend gets injured on your property, this coverage can help pay for damages that you’re liable for.
 
Loss of Use Insurance helps cover your additional living expenses while your home is unlivable. So, if you have to stay in a hotel for a week while your home is being repaired after a covered loss, this coverage can help pay for your expenses.
 
Medical Payments helps pay emergency medical bills if someone is injured on your CA property. For example, if someone trips in your home, this coverage can help pay for their medical bills, up to your policy limit, whether you are responsible or not.**
 
Dwelling Coverage helps protect your CA home inside and out from damage in a covered loss. These coverages can include your home’s:
 
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning
  • Roof
  • Siding
  • Walls
  • Flooring
Other Structures Coverage helps protect other structures on your California property from things like fire, vandalism and falling objects. This includes buildings on your property that aren’t attached to your house. For example, detached garages, gazebos and cottages are covered. If a tree falls on your detached garage, this coverage can help pay for the damage or cost of repairs.
 
Personal Property Coverage helps protect your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing and appliances. For example, if your candle causes a fire and your couch ends up ruined, your personal property coverage can help repair or replace it. You can also purchase additional coverage for valuable items and other special possessions like jewelry or collectible items.
 

Additional California Homeowners Insurance Coverage Options

Valuable Items Blanket provides extra coverage for your jewelry, china, crystal, silverware, guns and more. While your homeowners policy caps coverage on jewelry up to a $1,500 limit for loss by theft, The Hartford’s Valuable Items Blanket Coverage can increase the limit to $10,000 per item. It can also extend coverage for lost items or damaged valuables. This coverage can also help cover mysterious disappearances.
 
For example, if someone breaks into your home and steals a diamond ring and necklace that are worth $8,000, valuable items blanket coverage can help pay to replace them. Without it, you would only receive $1,500 towards replacing the stolen jewelry.
 
Advantage Coverage Package allows you to bundle popular coverages. These can include “New for Old” Protection, personal injury liability insurance, reimbursement for replacing locks, identity fraud coverage and more.2
 
  • “New for Old” Protection‡ helps provide the actual cost to replace your possessions if they are destroyed by a covered loss with brand new ones of the same quality.
  • Personal Injury Liability Coverage covers losses arising from a libel or slander claim.
  • Lock Replacement Coverage helps pay up to $500 to replace locks if your key is lost or stolen, you’ll just have to pay the $100 deductible.
  • Identity Fraud Expense Coverage helps reimburse up to $25,000 of out-of-pocket expenses used while recovering after a fraud or identity theft incident. This coverage may also help cover lost income and legal fees resulting from the identity fraud recovery.
The Home Advantage Plus package includes additional coverage to the Advantage package, such as:3
 
Equipment breakdown coverage to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing appliances, furnaces or HVAC systems in case of an electrical or mechanical breakdown. However, it does not help cover normal wear and tear.4
  
Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. However, you can purchase flood insurance as an additional coverage if your community is part of the National Flood Insurance Program.
 
Rental Property Protection Plus provides protection for you as a landlord for rental units you own. Rental property insurance coverage includes:
 
  • Replacement cost of the rental dwelling
  • Optional coverage for detached structures
  • Property damage by vandalism or burglars
  • Damage to lawns, plants and shrubs
  • Fair rental value (20% of dwelling coverage)

What Is the Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in California?

homeowner insurance california According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the cost of homeowners insurance policies vary from state to state. In California, the average premium is $1,177, which is slightly below the national average of $1,272.5
 

What Factors Affect California Homeowners Insurance Rates?

Home insurance rates vary and are determined based on factors like your:
 
  • Home’s age
  • Rebuilding cost
  • Claims history

California Home Insurance Discounts†

There are many ways to save on your homeowners insurance in the Golden State. At The Hartford, we offer several types of discounts to help lower your premiums.
 

Bundled Insurance Discount

If you already have a car insurance policy with The Hartford, bundling it with your homeowners insurance means you’ll qualify for our bundled policy discount, which can save you up to 5% on your car insurance and up to 20% on your home insurance.
 

Home Security Discount

You can help lower your premium by installing devices such as burglar alarms and additional fire alarms.
 
Last Updated: April 17, 2023
 
‡ Some benefits such as Reimbursement for Lock Replacement are only available with the Optional Home Advantage Plus package. A policy without these added benefits is also available.
 
** Medical benefits are calculated on the basis of usual, customary, and reasonable charges.
 
† Bundling savings are not available in Hawaii and Massachusetts. In New Jersey, the discount is applied to the homeowners insurance policy only.
 
2 This package is ideal for customers who want extra protection, above their base policy, for certain coverages such as: Replacement Cost Contents Coverage, Personal Injury Protection, and ID Fraud Expense Coverage.
 
3 The Hartford’s most popular package and includes all of the features of Home Advantage, plus extra benefits such as the Disappearing Property Deductible‡‡ and Equipment Protection Advantage.
 
4 Equipment Protection Advantage also provides coverage if you want to make “green” upgrades. It pays up to 110% of your cost to replace any covered equipment with items that are similar, but more energy efficient or environmentally friendly.
 
5 “Facts and Statistics: Homeowners and Renters Insurance,” Insurance Information Institute.
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply.
 
Additional disclosures below.
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. Home product is not available in all areas, including the state of FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.