Home Insurance in California
California homeowners insurance is the policy that typically covers the dwelling, personal property, additional living expenses, and personal liability — subject to the form, the deductible, and exclusions. ESI Insurance Brokers is an independent San Francisco broker (Express Service Insurance Agency, Inc. dba ESI Insurance Brokers, 2085 Van Ness Avenue) that helps homeowners and intending buyers review coverage and request quotes. We are a broker, not a carrier.
Wildfire exposure, non-renewal, and limited admitted markets are a normal part of the California homeowners conversation. If a property is in a high fire-risk area, has been non-renewed, or has been declined, the California FAIR Plan may be part of the discussion. Read our California FAIR Plan insurance guide, then start a quote with the homeowners quote form or Get a Quote.
Who this coverage is for
- Owner-occupants of a California house or similar dwelling
- Buyers who need a homeowners quote before closing
- Homeowners facing renewal changes, a non-renewal, or a demand for higher coverage from a lender
- Owners in wildfire-exposed or otherwise hard-to-place areas who need to understand FAIR Plan versus other markets
Landlord, condo, renters, and HOA association policies are different products. Renters should see Renters Insurance in California. Association boards should not treat a homeowners policy as a substitute for the master policy.
What a homeowners policy may help cover
A typical California homeowners form is built around the dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use, and personal liability. Named-peril versus open-peril language, ordinance-or-law, and water or earth-movement wording vary by insurer. Earthquake is generally excluded from a standard homeowners policy and is a separate decision. Wildfire may be covered, limited, or unavailable depending on the market and the property.
- Dwelling and other structures, subject to limits and the valuation method on the policy
- Personal property, with sublimits that often apply to jewelry, cash, and certain categories
- Loss of use / additional living expenses if a covered loss makes the home uninhabitable
- Personal liability and medical payments to others, subject to the policy
California notes: wildfire, FAIR Plan, and non-renewal
California’s admitted homeowners market has been tight in many ZIP codes. A non-renewal is not the same as a cancellation, but it still means you need a replacement policy before the current one ends. The California FAIR Plan is a FAIR Plan residual market for eligible property when coverage is harder to place; it is not a full substitute for a standard homeowners package by itself. Many households pair FAIR Plan dwelling coverage with a difference-in-conditions or similar wrap when that structure is appropriate. Details are in our FAIR Plan guide and non-renewal guide.
Bring the current declarations page, any non-renewal or cancellation notice, the property address, and notes on roof, construction, and wildfire-hardening work when you request a quote. ESI does not invent “guaranteed” placement; eligibility is up to each market.
Agency license CA 0G83954. Producer Daniel Masarsky CA 0D87510. 2085 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109. (415) 440-5136.
Frequently asked questions
Does a standard California homeowners policy include earthquake?
Generally no. Earthquake is typically excluded and must be considered separately. If you want to review earthquake options, say so on the quote or use Contact.
When does the California FAIR Plan come into the conversation?
When a home has been non-renewed, declined, or is hard to place — often because of wildfire exposure. Start with the FAIR Plan guide and the homeowners form.
How do I request a homeowners quote?
Use the homeowners quote form or Get a Quote. You can also call (415) 440-5136.
