California homeowners insurance

From the northern forests to the southern deserts, the vast farmland and mountains in between, and more than a thousand miles of seacoast, California truly has something for everyone. Progressive has something for California homeowners seeking customizable, affordable home insurance. If you own a home in the Golden State or are looking to buy, check out our homeowners insurance coverages, discounts, and cost information.

3 min to read

How you're covered

California doesn't require homeowners insurance by law, but if you finance your home, your lender may require you to have a homeowners insurance policy in place. Your policy's coverages are designed to safeguard your property and assets. A typical policy will include the following:

Dwelling coverage protects your home's structure (roof, walls, etc.) as well as attached structures, like a porch.
Other structures coverage protects detached structures, such as a fence or shed.
Personal property coverage protects your personal belongings, including furniture, clothing, and electronics. Certain items, like jewelry, art, and collectibles, are often only covered up to a specific limit, so you may want to purchase an endorsement to schedule these items on your policy at the coverage amount needed, also known as "adding a rider."
Personal liability coverage protects you financially if you're legally responsible for another person's injuries or damage to their property.
Medical payments to others pays for medical expenses due to a covered occurrence.
Loss of use coverage helps cover costs associated with an increase in living expenses, up to your policy's limit, if you're unable to stay in your home while it's being repaired or rebuilt due to a covered loss.

Keep in mind coverage under your policy is subject to exclusions and conditions within your policy. It is important to read your policy to understand the coverage provided.

Common claims in California

California's diverse climate presents a wide range of potential severe weather, including wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding. Fire damage is typically covered by homeowners insurance, while earthquake and flood coverage may require you to purchase a standalone insurance policy or an optional endorsement to add to your homeowners policy.

Due to rising water levels, even the deserts of southern California can experience flooding. When the ground has been dry for extended periods and a heavy rainstorm comes along, the ground can't absorb the water quickly enough to prevent rising water levels. A flood insurance policy may protect your property and belongings against flood damage.

Helping you save

Progressive offers several discounts to help you save on homeowners insurance policies. Some of the most common discounts include:

Alarm System
Multi-policy
Quote in Advance
New Purchase

See more about the home insurance discounts we offer.

Pro tip:

If you need more than $500,000 in personal liability coverage, an umbrella policy from Progressive can provide up to an additional $5 million in liability protection.

How much is homeowners insurance in California?

Your cost for California homeowners insurance varies based on many components, including your location, type of home, and coverage limits. Learn more about factors affecting home insurance pricing.

Do you own a rental or vacation property in California?

If you own a rental property in California, make sure it's protected with the right type of insurance policy. Learn more about landlord policies and insurance for vacation or vacant homes.

Fast facts about homes in California

According to IndexMundi, California's homeownership rate is 54.6%, leading to it having one of the biggest rental markets in the U.S.
The Whale House, Bottle Village, Hearst Castle, and the Castello di Amorosa. The houses from "Halloween" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street." California is filled with quirky, famous, and iconoclastic houses, possibly more so than any other state in the nation.
The Wrigley family — yes, the ones who made the chewing gum — built a Pasadena mansion in 1906 on what was once referred to as "Millionaires Row." Now that mansion is the headquarters for the organizers of the Tournament of Roses Parade.