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8 years in insurance and personal finance writing
Former data scientist for U.S. Geological Survey
Lindsay is a freelance personal finance writer currently pursuing her Series 65 license. She enjoys helping readers learn money management skills that improve their lives.
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves yoga and knitting.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
The average cost of home insurance in San Francisco is $338 per month for a policy with $750,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible, according to Insurify data.
Insurance affordability is a real concern in California, and that’s especially true in San Francisco given the city’s famously high real estate prices.[1] Floods and earthquakes are also ever-present risks in the state and require separate insurance, which only adds to your insurance costs.[2]
But you still have ways to save on home insurance if you know where to look. Here’s what you need to know to find home insurance for your budget in San Francisco.
Homes in San Francisco typically require higher coverage limits than the rest of the U.S., due to higher real estate costs.
Farmers offers the cheapest home insurance in San Francisco, with an average rate of $166 per month for a $750,000 policy.
The average home price in San Francisco is $1.2 million.
Best home insurance companies in San Francisco
Although California is facing a home insurance crisis, many companies are still underwriting policies across the state, and it’s still possible to find affordable coverage. These are some of the best home insurance companies in San Francisco to consider.
Farmers: Best for low-cost coverage
low-cost coverage
Farmers
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $78/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $116/mo |
If you’re looking for savings, Farmers is a great choice for San Francisco homeowners. Farmers offers some of the most affordable coverage in the area, according to Insurify data. It also has abundant discounts if you have a smart home, a certified green home, or a home security system.
Cheap homeowners insurance coverage
Dozens of local agents throughout San Francisco
Numerous discounts that can further reduce your premiums
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Higher-than-average number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Hundreds of customer complaints filed every year with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
California Casualty: Best local insurer
local insurer
california casualty
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | NR |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | Not rated |
If you’re looking for a local insurer that’s familiar with California homes, California Casualty is a good choice for San Francisco homeowners. With headquarters in nearby San Mateo, California Casualty offers earthquake and flood insurance, which can make it easier to handle all your policies.
The company also offers umbrella insurance, which can help fill in coverage gaps that you might need for your San Francisco home.
Can submit claims online
Offers flood, earthquake, and umbrella insurance
High Trustpilot rating
More expensive rates than competitors
Online quotes not available
Low AM Best Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair)
USAA: Best for California military and veterans
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A++ |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $86/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $119/mo |
The San Francisco area is home to many military installations, and the city itself has a sizable population of veterans. Homes in the San Francisco area are expensive, and as military members move around a lot, it’s not uncommon to buy a home and rent it out after you’re assigned to a new base — a situation which USAA is well-designed to assist with.
High J.D. power customer satisfaction rating
Affordable rates in California
Offers high-value home insurance and rental property coverage
Must be part of the military community to get coverage
No local insurance agents or offices
Many customer complaints logged with the BBB
Amica: Best for customer satisfaction
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.2/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A+ |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $121/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $179/mo |
Having all your insurance products with the same company can simplify your financial life, as well as help you qualify for multi-policy discounts. Amica offers many insurance products for San Francisco homeowners, and it partners with other companies to underwrite flood and earthquake insurance.
Exceptional J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Offers flood and earthquake coverage
Highest-rated insurer for customer service in J.D. Power survey
No local offices
Fewer insurance discounts than competitors
Poor customer reviews on the BBB
Chubb: Best for high-value homes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.8/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A++ |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $161/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $240/mo |
Chubb is known as a high-value, bespoke insurer for luxury homes, which makes it a great choice for high-value homes in San Francisco. It offers risk consulting, extended replacement cost, and coverage for valuables. Plus, Chubb has a local office on Post Street in downtown San Francisco.
Local branch office
Exceptional customer service and claims satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
Complimentary high-risk home assessment and advice
Higher home insurance rates than competitors
Fewer customizable coverage options
Must speak with a live agent to get a home insurance quote
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national home insurance companies that sell policies in San Francisco to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to homeowners. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
How much is home insurance in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, home insurance costs $4,056 per year for a policy with $750,000 in dwelling coverage, compared to the annual California state average of $4,596.
Your actual costs may vary depending on your home’s value, what type of coverage you select, the structure of your home, and more.
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Cheapest home insurance companies in San Francisco
The amount of property insurance you select is a major factor in determining premiums, and that’s especially true in San Francisco. Here are some of the cheapest home insurance companies in the Bay Area:
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Pacific Specialty | $912 |
| Farmers | $936 |
| Cse | $984 |
| USAA | $1,032 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,104 |
| Travelers | $1,188 |
| Auto Club | $1,200 |
| CSAA | $1,224 |
| State Farm | $1,236 |
| Allstate | $1,248 |
| Mercury | $1,296 |
| Nationwide | $1,308 |
| Encompass | $1,632 |
| Grange | $1,752 |
| Chubb | $1,932 |
| Foremost | $2,112 |
| AIG | $2,124 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Farmers | $1,392 |
| USAA | $1,428 |
| Cse | $1,440 |
| Pacific Specialty | $1,548 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $1,752 |
| Travelers | $1,812 |
| Mercury | $1,836 |
| CSAA | $1,920 |
| State Farm | $1,920 |
| Allstate | $1,968 |
| Nationwide | $2,004 |
| Auto Club | $2,016 |
| Encompass | $2,592 |
| Grange | $2,712 |
| Chubb | $2,880 |
| AIG | $3,396 |
| Foremost | $3,612 |
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Farmers | $1,992 |
| Cse | $2,028 |
| USAA | $2,124 |
| Pacific Specialty | $2,376 |
| Capital Insurance Group | $2,580 |
| Mercury | $2,628 |
| CSAA | $2,664 |
| State Farm | $2,748 |
| Travelers | $2,784 |
| Allstate | $2,928 |
| Nationwide | $3,012 |
| Auto Club | $3,084 |
| Encompass | $3,900 |
| Grange | $3,936 |
| Chubb | $3,984 |
| AIG | $5,148 |
| Foremost | $5,820 |
How much homeowners insurance do you need in San Francisco?
Most experts recommend that you choose policy limits based on your risk level and what you stand to lose in a covered event.
That typically means making sure your home insurance policy covers your expenses should you need to fully rebuild your home. You can estimate your home’s replacement cost by multiplying your home’s square footage by the estimated cost to rebuild (per square foot) in your area.[3]
In general, you need to carry coverage to cover at least 80% of your home, otherwise your insurer may not fully pay out your claims.
You can determine the amount of personal property coverage you need by estimating the amount of tangible goods, like clothing, electronics, and artwork, that you own. It can be helpful to make a home inventory to keep track of your possessions.
Finally, experts recommend matching your personal liability coverage to your actual net worth, in case anyone ever sues you.
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How Much Homeowners Insurance Do You Need?
What to know about home insurance in San Francisco, CA
Homes in San Francisco typically cost more than in the rest of the U.S., so it’s reasonable to expect your premiums to be higher based on this factor alone.
In addition, the homes of many San Francisco residents are at higher risk for environmental damage, such as:
Earthquakes
San Francisco is no stranger to earthquakes and has a 72% chance of a 6.7 or greater earthquake within the next 30 years.[5] Standard home insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage, so you’ll have to get coverage from a private insurer.
Wildfires
While San Francisco’s moderate wildfire risk is lower than other cities in California, it’s still a risk homeowners need to consider. Fortunately, home insurance does cover wildfire damage. But if you own a high-value home, getting additional umbrella coverage may come in handy, as rebuilding costs may be higher than your coverage limit.
Average cost of home insurance in other cities in California
A home insurance policy in San Francisco typically costs more than in other California cities. Although the city doesn’t suffer from the state’s famous wildfires as much as more rural parts, it has higher rates of vandalism than rural areas. Aside from the higher real estate prices, its vandalism rates might help to explain some of the differences in cost.
Here are the average annual premiums for other cities in California.
City | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| San Jose | $1,764 |
| Santa Rosa | $1,764 |
| Vallejo | $1,860 |
| Modesto | $1,872 |
| Salinas | $1,920 |
| Bakersfield | $1,992 |
| Sacramento | $1,992 |
| San Francisco | $2,004 |
| Visalia | $2,040 |
| Stockton | $2,088 |
| San Diego | $2,124 |
| Oxnard | $2,136 |
| Santa Maria | $2,160 |
| Fresno | $2,328 |
| Riverside | $2,436 |
| Los Angeles | $3,180 |
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San Francisco homeowners insurance FAQs
San Francisco home insurance can be expensive, but you still have ways to save. Here are some common questions about homeowners insurance in the Bay Area.
Home insurance in San Francisco costs an average of $338 per month for a policy with $750,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurify data. If your lender requires flood insurance, that can add to the cost. Earthquake insurance isn’t typically required, but given the area’s seismic risk, it’s not a bad idea to purchase it.
Farmers offers the cheapest homeowners insurance policy in San Francisco, with an average monthly rate of $166, according to Insurify data.
The best home insurance company in San Francisco depends on your needs. But some top insurers in the city include Farmers, California Casualty, Amica, Chubb, and USAA.
Home insurance for a $500,000 policy in California costs an average of $3,180 per year.
Generally not, unless it’s from something like a burst pipe inside your home. You’ll need to buy separate flood insurance if you want to make sure your home is protected from flooding that comes from outside your home.[6]
Your specific ZIP code, your home’s value, if you’re at a high risk for natural disasters, the crime levels in your area, how close you are to a fire station, your policy limits, and more can all affect your premium for a San Francisco home.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed rates from more than 180 home insurance companies sourced directly from Insurify’s partner companies and Quadrant Information Services. Rates span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and quote averages represent the mean price for a given coverage level and geographic area. To ensure data reliability, only insurers meeting minimum quote thresholds were included in the analysis.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for homeowners with no prior claims and good credit with a home construction year of 1980. The default coverage assumptions include:
Default Coverage Assumptions
- Dwelling coverage: $300,000
- Deductible: $1,000
- Personal property limit: $25,000
- Liability limit: $300,000
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
Sources
- Realtor.com. "The 10 Most Expensive Housing Markets in America—and 1 State Dominates the List."
- San Francisco Department of Public Health. "Climate and Health Understanding the Risk: An Assessment of San Francisco’s Vulnerability to Flooding & Extreme Storms."
- III. "How much homeowners insurance do I need?."
- Association of Bay Area Governments. "Flood."
- Association of Bay Area Governments. "Earthquake."
- III. "Water, Water Everywhere But When It Floods, Is The Damage Covered By Your Insurance?."
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8 years in insurance and personal finance writing
Former data scientist for U.S. Geological Survey
Lindsay is a freelance personal finance writer currently pursuing her Series 65 license. She enjoys helping readers learn money management skills that improve their lives.
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Lindsay is a freelance personal finance writer currently pursuing her Series 65 license. She enjoys helping readers learn money management skills that improve their lives.
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)
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves yoga and knitting.
)
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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