Fast & affordable landlord insurance in California
Landlord insurance in California protects rental property owners from property damage, liability exposure, and loss of rental income. Coverage options and pricing reflect property type, regional wildfire exposure, and selected limits. Get a quote for California landlord insurance customized for your rental.
We've gotten more than $1.2B in property insured in California
What to know about rental properties in California
California is the largest rental market in the country by a wide margin. More than 44% of households are renter-occupied, and demand for rental housing is intense across the state, from the Bay Area and Los Angeles to Sacramento, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. Property values are among the highest in the nation, which means the financial stakes of owning a rental property here are significant.
With over 17 million rental units statewide, California's market represents nearly 20% of all rental housing in America. The state's median home values exceed $800,000 in most metropolitan areas; Major rental markets like San Francisco, Los Angeles County, and Orange County consistently rank among the nation's most expensive, while emerging markets in the Central Valley and Riverside County continue experiencing rapid appreciation.
The risk landscape in California has shifted dramatically in recent years. Wildfire exposure has become the dominant insurance concern, with insurers pulling out of high-risk ZIP codes and premiums rising sharply across the state. CalFire designates over 25 million acres as high or very high fire hazard severity zones, directly impacting insurance availability and requirements for rental properties in these areas.
Beyond wildfire, California landlords face earthquake risk, mudslides, and a legal environment that's more tenant-friendly than most states.
How landlord insurance works in California
Landlord insurance in California protects your rental property in ways that a homeowners policy can't. Homeowners coverage requires owner occupancy — if you're renting the property to tenants, it won't protect you from damage or liability.
A California landlord policy provides:
- Dwelling coverage for damage from fire, wind, lightning, vandalism, and other covered events
- Liability coverage to protect you if a tenant or visitor is injured and files a claim or lawsuit against you
- Loss of rent coverage to replace income when the property is uninhabitable after a covered event
What makes California unique is the wildfire dimension. Landlords in high-risk fire zones may need to work with specialized carriers or the California FAIR Plan, which currently insures over 600,000 properties statewide. Properties requiring FAIR Plan coverage typically carry landlord insurance that excludes fire, lightning, smoke and explosion perils, but covers the other dwelling perils.
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Do you need landlord insurance in California?
Given the property values at stake and the state's litigation-friendly legal environment, operating without landlord insurance in California is a serious financial risk. A liability judgment from a tenant injury, a wildfire that damages or destroys the structure, or even routine vandalism can generate costs that are devastating without coverage.
California Civil Code Section 1714 establishes broad premises liability standards that hold property owners accountable for maintaining safe conditions, while the state's comparative negligence doctrine allows significant damage awards even in cases where tenant behavior contributes to accidents or injuries. Recent wildfire litigation has resulted in billion-dollar utility company settlements, demonstrating the scale of property damage exposure that individual landlords face when catastrophic events occur.
Steadily works with California landlords to find coverage that accounts for the state's unique fire risk landscape, and getting a quote takes just a few minutes. We also will work with you to add an earthquake policy to your coverage. Our California network includes carriers experienced with FAIR Plan coordination, wildland-urban interface properties, and the specialized underwriting requirements that define this complex insurance market.
Average cost of landlord insurance in California
California's median landlord insurance premium sits around $1,194 per year — notable because it's actually below many other large states, despite California's reputation for high costs. That said, the range of premiums here is wide. Coastal properties, homes in wildfire-prone areas, older construction in dense urban markets — all of these create underwriting scenarios that can push costs well above the median.
Additionally, those who live in an area requiring California FAIR Plan coverage will be required to pay those premiums – which can be significant – in addition to the fire-excluded landlord policy.
The exact location of your property will matter quite a bit in determining your premium; California is a massive state with incredible geographic diversity, from coastal areas to mountains to desert regions, and premiums can vary significantly even from city to city. Your property type, its age, and condition will also determine where your actual cost lands relative to the median.
A lot of California landlords also ask about condo coverage specifically, which operates a bit differently from standard dwelling policies; since a condominium is a single unit in a larger building, the HOA will usually cover the structural elements, while your landlord insurance will cover everything inside the unit. Therefore, condo premiums are typically lower than single-family or multifamily homes.
To get a quote on your rental property, all you need to do is enter your address and some other quick details below. Quotes are completely free and will be sent to your email within minutes.
Properties we look after
We make it easy to get landlord insurance for many types of properties
We also help AirBNBs, VRBOS, and other rental properties
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Coverages
We cover a wide range of risks, or you can choose a limited set of coverages for a lower premium
Riot & civil commotion
Protect your rental property from damage caused by riots or civil commotion. Steadily’s landlord insurance includes coverage for these rare but costly events.
Vandalism & burglary
Landlord insurance with vandalism and theft coverage protects your investment when criminal activity damages your property.
Loss of rent
Loss of rent coverage replaces your rental income during restoration, protecting your cash flow when tenants can't occupy the property.
Storm and hail
Storm and hail damage is one of the most common and costly issues landlords face. Proper insurance protection ensures your investment remains secure when severe weather events occur.
Water
Water damage is one of the most common and costly issues landlords face. Proper insurance protection ensures your investment remains secure when unexpected water events occur.
Legal liability
Proper legal liability insurance protection ensures your investment remains secure when unexpected claims and lawsuits occur.
Fire
Fire damage is one of the most costly and devastating events a property owner can face. Proper landlord insurance ensures you're protected when the unexpected happens.
FAQs
about landlord insurance in
California
Is landlord insurance required in California?
California doesn't have a statute requiring landlords to purchase insurance. That said, going without coverage in this state is a risky proposition. Between fire exposure, earthquake potential, and the high cost of litigation, uninsured landlords face enormous financial vulnerability. Mortgage lenders mandate coverage on financed properties, and even for those owned free and clear, the replacement cost of a California rental easily justifies the premium.
Can a landlord require renters insurance in California?
Yes — California Civil Code § 1940.4 explicitly permits landlords to require tenants to obtain and maintain renters insurance as a condition of the lease. Most California landlords who exercise this option ask for a minimum of $100,000 in liability coverage. It's one of the most effective ways to reduce your own exposure while ensuring tenants can recover their personal property after a covered loss.
Is landlord insurance required in California if the property is paid off?
No legal requirement kicks in regardless of mortgage status. But even without a lender mandate, the financial risk of going uninsured in California is substantial. Wildfire rebuild costs in high-hazard zones can exceed the property's market value, and liability judgments in a high-litigation state can reach into the hundreds of thousands. Skipping coverage to save on premiums is one of the costliest mistakes a California landlord can make.
Does landlord insurance in California cover wildfires and earthquakes?
Wildfire damage to the structure is generally covered under a standard landlord policy. Earthquake damage, however, is not — you'll need a separate earthquake policy, which can be purchased through a third party with Steadily. If your property is in a Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and your primary carrier has pulled out, the California FAIR Plan provides basic fire coverage, though many landlords pair it with a Difference in Conditions (DIC) wrap for broader protection.
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