Homeowners Insurance in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA is the second-largest city in the United States. Its economy is heavily reliant on the entertainment industry, and it is also a busy seaport, popular corporate headquarters location, and industrial powerhouse.  

While Los Angeles has a reputation for great weather, residents of the city are also very susceptible to all kinds of extreme weather and natural disasters that can lead to devastating property damage. In a single year in Los Angeles, it’s not unheard of to see wildfires, heavy rain, fierce wind, and even earthquakes. What’s more, many neighborhoods in the city see high rates of property crime.

Homeowners in Los Angeles need a reliable homeowners insurance policy to protect their investment in their homes. Homeowners insurance helps you recover financially when your home or your belongings are damaged.

A local independent insurance agent can help you find the best homeowners insurance in Los Angeles for your needs. 

Is Homeowners Insurance Required in Los Angeles, CA?

You are not required by law to purchase homeowners insurance in Los Angeles.

But it’s important to understand that your mortgage lender will require you to have homeowners insurance, and will require proof that you have it. Why? Well, your lender is technically part-owner of your home. If your home is damaged in some way by something like a fire or a storm, home insurance helps you pay for making repairs or rebuilding.

If your home was destroyed and you had no way to pay to rebuild it, would you continue to make your mortgage payments? The home would be uninhabitable, and the mortgage would have little or no value, so foreclosure wouldn't be a great option for the mortgage company to recoup its losses either. So your home insurance protects your mortgage holder from financial losses after a disaster as much as it protects you.

How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Los Angeles, CA?

Home insurance rates in Los Angeles are higher than the national average, mostly because of the elevated risk of severe weather and natural disasters across the state. Comparison shopping can help you find the best policy for your needs and budget.

• National average yearly premium: $1,211
• California average yearly premium: $1,008
• Los Angeles average yearly premium: $1,215

When you receive quotes for homeowners insurance in Los Angeles, expect your premiums to be more or less than average. Everyone’s homeowners insurance rates are a little different, because insurance costs are based on your individual home’s characteristics and the amount of coverage you need. 

The type of home you have (one-story, townhome, two-story, etc.), as well as its age, size, and value, are the first characteristics that insurance companies use to determine your home insurance rates. They also consider the types of materials used in your home’s construction, as well as several other factors, such as:

• Your claims history and credit score
• Your coverage limits and the deductible that you choose
• The crime rate and weather risks in your city or ZIP code
• Whether you are bundling your coverage with other policies like car insurance

The best way to make sure you are getting the best price is to shop around. An independent insurance agent can get quotes from multiple insurance companies, so you can compare costs and coverage and make the best choice for your needs and budget.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Los Angeles, CA?

Your home insurance policy covers numerous risks that you may face as a Los Angeles homeowner, including damage caused by fires, severe weather, theft, and more. Your policy includes the following types of property coverage:

• Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair and replace your damaged home, and will even pay out the value of your home if it is a total loss.
• Personal property coverage: Pays for damage to your insured personal property, such as furniture, clothing, artwork, and so on.
• Other structures coverage: Covers any detached structures located on your property (sheds, fences, detached garages).
• Temporary living expenses coverage: Pays for additional living expenses (hotel bills, food, etc.) if you are forced to live somewhere else while your home is being repaired.

You will want to be sure you have sufficient dwelling coverage to enable you to repair or rebuild your house, and enough contents coverage to fully repair or replace all of your personal property. That way, if your home is destroyed in a catastrophic event like a fire, you will not suffer financially.

Homeowners insurance in Los Angeles also includes personal liability coverage. It is designed to protect you when someone claims you have caused an injury or property damage.

It covers court costs, legal fees, and even settlements or judgments levied against you if you are sued.

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What Isn't Covered by Homeowners Insurance in Los Angeles, CA?

Homeowners insurance covers a wide range of problems that homeowners can encounter. But it’s important to recognize that homeowners insurance policies in California do not cover damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides.

Earthquake insurance pays for some, but not all, of the damage that can be caused by earthquakes. While your homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage, your homeowners insurance company must offer the opportunity to purchase earthquake insurance in writing every other year.

Flooding can also be a serious problem in Los Angeles. There are over 93,000 properties in Los Angeles that have a greater than 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. This represents 12% of all properties in the city.

Homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase flood insurance to supplement your home insurance policy. When you purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) you can affordably get up to $250,000 in structural coverage and $100,000 in contents coverage for your home.

Does Homeowners Insurance in Los Angeles, CA Cover Burglaries?

If you experience a break-in, burglary, or property theft, it’s good to know that your home insurance in Los Angeles can help you recover from your loss.

It’s also important to understand that the burglary rate in your community can have an impact on your homeowners insurance rates. The burglary rate in Los Angeles is higher than the national average. This may lead to higher-than-average homeowners insurance rates in some areas of the city.

• Number of burglaries per 1,000 people in the US: 3.76
• Number of burglaries per 1,000 people in California: 4.16
• Number of burglaries per 1,000 people in Los Angeles: 3.97

Keep in mind that many insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have security features installed in their homes, including burglar alarms, video surveillance systems, barred windows, and deadbolt locks. Be sure to ask your insurance agent about any potential home security discounts that you may be eligible for.

Who Are the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Los Angeles, CA?

It can be simple to find the best homeowners insurance companies in Los Angeles, CA. A local independent insurance agent can help you get home insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies, so you can select the best policy for your needs and budget.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help Me Find the Best Homeowners Insurance in Los Angeles, CA?

Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of options so you can make the best choice.  

What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.

Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.