Your home, properly protected.

A standard policy covers six main things: your dwelling (Coverage A), other structures like garages or sheds (B), your personal property (C), loss of use if you can't live there (D), personal liability (E), and medical payments for injured guests (F). Common covered events include fire, theft, vandalism, wind, and certain water damage.

No. Earthquake and flood damage are excluded from standard policies — and California has more risk for both than almost any other state. You need separate policies for each. We can write earthquake coverage through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) or private carriers, and flood coverage through the NFIP or private flood markets.

The California FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort for property owners in high-wildfire-risk areas who can't get coverage from standard insurers. It provides basic fire coverage only. Most FAIR Plan customers pair it with a "wraparound" or Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to add liability, theft, water damage, and contents coverage. We help you navigate both.

Your dwelling coverage (Coverage A) should equal the cost to rebuild your home from scratch — not its market value, which includes land. Personal property usually defaults to 50-70% of your dwelling coverage. We use rebuild-cost calculators based on your home's actual specifications to make sure you're not under- or over-insured.

For most renters, yes — and it's very affordable, often under $20/month. Your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance protects your stuff against theft, fire, and water damage, and includes liability if someone is hurt in your apartment. Many landlords now require it.

Usually only minimally — standard policies offer very limited coverage for business property at home, and exclude business liability entirely. If you work from home or run a side business, you should add a home-business endorsement or get a separate business owners policy (BOP). We'll explain what your current policy actually covers and what you may need to add.

Not always. Filing small claims can lead to higher premiums or even non-renewal — especially in California's current market. As a general rule, if the damage is close to your deductible, it's usually better to pay out of pocket. Call us before filing any claim and we'll help you decide whether it makes financial sense.

Several ways: bundle with your auto policy, raise your deductible if you can afford it, install a monitored security system, add fire-resistant features (especially in high-risk zones), maintain a claim-free record, and shop the market every 2-3 years. We help with all of the above — and we shop your policy at renewal to make sure you're still getting the best rate.