California Renters Insurance Quotes
Renters insurance is the tenant policy that typically covers your personal belongings, personal liability, and additional living expenses if a covered loss makes the unit unlivable — not the building itself. The landlord’s or HOA’s property policy is for the structure; it does not replace a renter’s contents and liability coverage. ESI Insurance Brokers is an independent San Francisco broker (Express Service Insurance Agency, Inc. dba ESI Insurance Brokers, 2085 Van Ness Avenue) that helps California tenants request renters quotes. We are a broker, not a carrier.
Start at Get a Quote (Renters Insurance) or the renters quote form. If you own the unit, you likely need a condo or homeowners policy instead of renters. Want the full coverage explainer first? Read our California renters insurance guide.
Who this coverage is for
- Tenants in a California apartment, house, in-law unit, or similar rented home
- Roommates who need to know whether the policy is named-insured only or can list more than one resident
- Students or professionals who must show a landlord a renters certificate before move-in
- Households that have never insured contents and want a limit that matches what it would cost to replace clothing, electronics, and furniture
Landlords should look at landlord insurance, not this page. Homeowners should use Home Insurance in California.
What renters insurance may help cover
A typical California renters form (often an HO-4 style policy) is built around personal property, loss of use, and personal liability. Property coverage is usually named-peril and may be actual cash value or replacement cost depending on the form you buy. Sublimits often apply to jewelry, bikes, cash, and certain other categories. Liability responds when you are alleged to have caused bodily injury or property damage, subject to the policy — for example a guest injured in the unit, or damage to the landlord’s building that the policy actually covers.
- Personal property in the rented unit and, within policy terms, some property away from home
- Loss of use / additional living expenses after a covered loss
- Personal liability and medical payments to others as written
- Evidence of insurance for a California lease that requires it
California notes
Many San Francisco and Bay Area leases require renters insurance and sometimes name the landlord as an additional interest. Earthquake and flood are generally not included in a standard renters form. Wildfire can affect tenants through evacuation and loss of use, but only if the cause is a covered peril on that policy. If you run a business from the apartment, a personal renters policy may exclude or limit business property and liability — say so on the quote. Dogs, roommates, and short-term sublets also change underwriting; describe the household accurately.
ESI Insurance Brokers, California agency license 0G83954. 2085 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109. (415) 440-5136. broker@insurance415.com. Hours Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Pacific.
Frequently asked questions
Does my landlord’s insurance cover my stuff?
Usually not. The landlord’s policy is for the building and the landlord’s liability. Your clothes, furniture, and electronics need a renters policy.
Is earthquake included?
Standard renters forms generally exclude earthquake. If you want to ask about a separate earthquake option for contents, note that on the form or contact the office.
How do I get a California renters quote?
Use the renters quote form or Get a Quote. You can also call (415) 440-5136.
