Home Insurance in SF: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You
For San Francisco homeowners, home insurance isn’t just about coverage anymore—it’s about whether you can even get a policy in the first place. With major insurers pulling out of California, canceling policies, and refusing to write new ones, many property owners are left scrambling. If you haven’t checked your policy lately, now’s the time. Because surprise—just because you had coverage last year doesn’t mean you still do.
What Home Insurance Covers (In Theory)
If you’re lucky enough to have a policy, here’s what a standard one typically includes:
Dwelling Coverage – Protects your home’s structure from disasters like fire, storms, and vandalism.
Personal Property – Covers furniture, electronics, and other belongings (to a limit).
Liability Protection – Helps if someone gets injured on your property and decides to sue.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) – Pays for temporary housing if your home becomes unlivable.
But Here’s Where Things Get Messy
Because we live in California—land of earthquakes, wildfires, and never-ending bureaucracy—not everything is covered. And even if it is, insurers are getting pickier.
Floods & Earthquakes – Not included. Want coverage? You’ll need separate policies.
Wildfire Risk – If you live in a “high-risk” area, good luck. Insurers are bailing fast, and even if you get coverage, it’s probably expensive.
Old Home, Old Problems – Knob-and-tube wiring? Outdated plumbing? Ancient foundation? Insurers see that and say, yeah, no thanks.
High-Value Items – Your art, jewelry, and collectibles probably exceed the limits, and you’ll need an extra policy for that.
Wear & Tear? Not Their Problem – Mold, pest infestations, and general neglect? That’s on you.
SF-Specific Insurance Nightmares
The California FAIR Plan – If no private insurer will cover you, this is your last-resort option. It’s bare-bones and expensive, and you’ll need extra policies to actually be covered.
Rent Control = Risky Business – If you rent out a unit, normal policies might not cover tenant-related claims or lost rental income. And thanks to ever-changing rent control laws, raising rent isn’t always an option.
So What Can You Do?
Actually read your policy – Make sure your coverage is up to date, especially with recent market changes.
Know your deductible – Some policies have crazy-high deductibles for fire and other disasters.
Consider extra coverage – Flood, earthquake, high-value items—make sure you’re covered where it matters.
Talk to an expert – If your policy got canceled (or you just want to avoid nasty surprises later), now’s the time to get ahead of it.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
With insurance disappearing faster than reasonably priced rentals, this isn’t something to put off. If you’re a homeowner (or planning to be one), I can connect you with the right resources to make sure you’re covered. Let’s make sure your biggest investment doesn’t turn into your biggest headache.
