Home insurance: buying
Buying a home in wildfire country? Line up insurance early.
Your lender won't fund the loan without proof of insurance. In fire-prone areas, the options can surprise you, so start before your contingencies run out.
What usually goes wrong
- Insurance is the last thing on the list, and options turn out to be limited or expensive after contingencies are removed.
- The policy doesn't match what the lender requires, and escrow stalls.
- Buyers don't realize a FAIR Plan policy alone leaves out liability and other coverage.
How we handle it
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Step 1: Start as soon as you're in escrow.
Or even while you're making offers. Tell us the address and your expected closing date.
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Step 2: We gather the home's details.
Your inspection report helps. We check how insurers are likely to view the home before your contingencies end.
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Step 3: We take it to market.
Then we show you the options side by side, including what each one leaves out.
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Step 4: We place coverage for your closing date.
Coverage is set to start the day you close, and we send proof of insurance to your lender and escrow.
What to have ready
- The property address
- Your expected closing date
- Your lender and escrow contacts
- The inspection report
- Roof age and type, if known
- The seller's disclosures, if available
Don't have everything? Start anyway.
Timeline
Every step is planned back from your date.
- Offer accepted, escrow opens
- Send us the address and closing date
- We check how insurers view the home
- Compare options before contingencies end
- Proof of insurance to lender and escrow
- Closing date
Common questions
Can you send proof of insurance to my lender and escrow?
Yes. Tell us who they are, and we'll send it directly.
What is the California FAIR Plan?
It's California's insurer of last resort for property owners who can't find coverage in the regular market. Its basic policy covers fire, lightning, smoke, and internal explosion, so most homeowners pair it with a DIC policy for things like liability, theft, and water damage.
What is a DIC policy?
A difference in conditions policy sits on top of a California FAIR Plan policy and covers things the FAIR Plan doesn't, such as liability and theft. Coverage varies by policy.
What is surplus lines insurance?
Coverage from insurers that aren't licensed by California but are allowed to cover homes that licensed insurers decline. These policies aren't backed by the California Insurance Guarantee Association, and you'll get a required state notice before you buy. We'll explain the tradeoffs before you decide.
Have a date coming up?
Tell us what's happening and when. Your broker will reply within one hour on business days.