California Homeowner's Insurance Checklist

Most people sign up for homeowner's insurance once, file it away, and don't look at it again until something goes wrong. I get it — it's not exactly beach reading. But in California especially, that set-it-and-forget-it approach can create some genuinely painful surprises at claim time.

This checklist is designed to take you through your policy in about 15 minutes. No jargon, no decoder ring. Just the things that actually matter.

Grab your declarations page before you start. It's usually one or two pages — the summary sheet your carrier sends at renewal. If you can't find it, your agent can pull it in about 30 seconds.

Step 1: The declarations page basics

Start here before anything else.

The property address is correct (sounds obvious, catches more issues than you'd think)

The named insureds are right — especially if you've gotten married, divorced, or added someone to the title

You know your policy period and roughly when it renews

You can identify the four core coverage sections: Dwelling (A), Other Structures (B), Personal Property (C), Loss of Use (D)

You know your deductible — and whether there's a separate wildfire, wind, or other special deductible hiding in there

Step 2: Your dwelling limit — and why Zillow doesn't matter here

This is the one that surprises people most. Your dwelling limit is not based on what your home is worth on the market. It's based on what it would cost to rebuild it from scratch if it burned to the ground tomorrow.

In the Bay Area, those numbers can be very different. Construction costs here are high, and they've gone up a lot in recent years.

Your dwelling limit is based on rebuild cost, not market value

If you've done significant renovations (kitchen, baths, addition, ADU), your limit has been updated to reflect that

You know whether you have standard Replacement Cost or something more restrictive

You understand whether your policy includes extended replacement cost and what the cap is

If you've never had a reconstruction cost estimate done, it's worth asking your agent about it. Especially in today's construction environment.

Step 3: Personal property (all the stuff inside)

Your personal property limit feels like a realistic number for what you actually own

You know whether it's Replacement Cost (new for old) or Actual Cash Value (depreciated) — this distinction matters enormously at claim time

You've thought about items that often have sublimits or need special handling:

If you have items worth more than a few thousand dollars, ask about scheduling them individually. It gives you itemized, agreed-value coverage — usually without a deductible on covered losses.

Step 4: Liability — the part that protects your future

This is the section most people glance at and skip. Don't.

Your personal liability limit is a number you chose on purpose, not the default the carrier assigned

If you have a pool, trampoline, dog, or host frequently, you've confirmed there are no issues or exclusions

You've at least had a conversation about umbrella coverage and whether your liability limits are set up correctly to support it

Step 5: Loss of use (if your home becomes unlivable)

You know what Loss of Use covers — temporary housing and extra living expenses after a covered loss

The limit or time period is realistic for your area (Bay Area rents being what they are, this matters)

Step 6: The California-specific gaps — make an intentional decision on each

These are the ones that bite people. Don't let them be surprises.

Earthquake: excluded from almost every standard homeowners policy. Separate policy required. Have you made a conscious yes or no decision on this?

Flood: also excluded. Separate policy if you want it. Have you made a conscious yes or no decision?

Water backup from drains or sewers: often requires a specific endorsement. Do you have it?

Wildfire and smoke: confirm how your current carrier is handling it, especially if you're in a higher-risk zone or have received any non-renewal notices

Wear and tear: not covered anywhere — policies cover sudden and accidental losses, not maintenance issues

Step 7: Your deductible — the "could I write this check tomorrow?" test

You can realistically pay your deductible if something happened this week

You're not carrying an artificially low deductible just because it feels safer on paper

If you have a separate wildfire or wind deductible (common in California), you understand how it works — it's often a percentage of your dwelling limit, not a flat dollar amount

Step 8: The easiest win that almost nobody does

Take a video walkthrough of your home. Every room. Open closets. Open drawers. Narrate what you're seeing. Takes 20 minutes.

Video saved somewhere you can access even if your phone is lost or your home is gone (cloud storage, email it to yourself)

Receipts for major purchases saved somewhere findable

If you ever have to file a claim for personal property, this video is worth its weight in gold.

Growing Up Covered Insight

A note from Zach

The video walkthrough thing — I can't tell you how many times I've wished clients had done this before a claim. It doesn't have to be professional. You don't need a ring light or a script. Just walk around your house talking to your phone like you're showing it to someone who's never been there. "This is the living room, here's the couch, here's the TV, here's the cabinet with all the stuff in it." Done.

I started telling people this after watching someone try to rebuild an inventory list from memory after a fire. It's an awful exercise. The video takes 20 minutes now and saves hours of grief later. Do it this weekend.

Read more at GrowingUpCovered.com

Questions worth asking your broker (copy and paste these)

Is my dwelling limit based on rebuild cost, and when was it last reviewed?

Am I Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value on personal property?

What are the biggest exclusions that come up in claims for homes like mine in this area?

Do I have water backup coverage? If not, what would it cost to add?

Have I made an intentional decision on flood and earthquake?

Do I have any items that should be scheduled individually?

If I had a major loss, what does the claims process typically look like?

What to do next

If you got through this checklist and found a few "I'm not sure" answers, that's completely normal — and a 15-minute call can clear all of it up. Send over your dec page and we'll walk through the big numbers together.

No pressure. Just clarity.

Book time at nadlerinsurance.com or reach out directly.

Nadler Insurance has been protecting Bay Area families since 1927. Four generations. Real people. No 1-800 numbers. | (650) 508-8000 | nadlerinsurance.com

Nadler Insurance, Inc. | CA Department of Insurance License #0582383 | 1560 Laurel Street, Suite 200, San Carlos, CA 94070

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute a binding insurance policy, coverage guarantee, or legal advice. Coverage terms, conditions, and availability vary by carrier, policy, and individual circumstances. Please consult a licensed insurance professional regarding your specific situation. Nadler Insurance, Inc. is licensed by the California Department of Insurance (License #0582383).