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A standard California homeowners policy covers the dwelling, other structures, personal property, personal liability, and additional living expenses if a covered loss forces you out. Flood and earthquake are the two big exclusions — both require separate policies.

Fire, including wildfire, is a core covered peril on standard homeowners policies. In higher-risk brush areas some carriers limit new policies, and the California FAIR Plan serves as the fallback fire coverage, usually paired with a wrap-around policy for everything else. An independent agent can tell you which carriers are writing in your area.

Yes, if you want earthquake coverage — homeowners policies exclude it. It's purchased as a separate policy, most commonly through the California Earthquake Authority, and insurers that sell homeowners coverage in California are required to offer it to you.

The most reliable levers are raising your deductible, home hardening (roof, vents, defensible space in fire areas), bundling home and auto, and comparing multiple carriers. An independent agency shops several carriers at once instead of one company's rates. Call (877) 411-5200 to compare options.