Homeowners insurance, shopped for you.
HO-3 and HO-5 policies for California houses, compared across admitted carriers and specialty markets, including homes in fire areas and older homes other insurers turn away.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · En español · How this page is researched
The same house, very different quotes
California carriers have become selective about where and what they insure. Roof age, distance to brush, construction year and claims history can make one carrier decline a home another will write.
As an independent broker I send your home to the carriers whose guidelines fit it, then lay the options out side by side: coverage, deductibles and price.
- HO-3The most common form. Open-perils coverage on the house and named-perils coverage on belongings.
- HO-5Broader form with open-perils coverage on both the house and belongings, common for newer or higher-value homes.
- HO-2Named-perils coverage on the house and belongings; narrower and less common.
- Not includedEarthquake and flood are excluded from standard homeowners policies and are bought separately.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- The home: address, year built, square footage and construction.
- Roof: material and year replaced.
- Updates: years for electrical, plumbing and heating.
- Current policy: your declarations page, if you have one.
- Claims: any in the last five years.
- Timing: renewal or closing date.
Homeowners insurance, answered
What is an HO-2 policy, and how is it different from HO-3?
HO-2 is a broad-form policy that covers the house and your belongings only for the perils it names, such as fire, windstorm and theft. HO-3 covers the house against all perils except those it excludes, so most California homeowners are better served by an HO-3 or HO-5. I’ll tell you which forms carriers will offer on your home.
What’s the difference between HO-3 and HO-5?
Both cover the house on an open-perils basis. HO-5 also covers belongings on an open-perils basis, while HO-3 covers belongings only for named perils.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes or floods?
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake and flood. Both are available as separate policies.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Enough to rebuild the house, not its market value. Rebuild cost depends on size, construction and finishes.
Why was my home declined?
Common reasons include wildfire exposure, roof age or condition, older systems and prior claims. Another carrier or a specialty market may still write it.
Do you offer homeowners insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state or high-value home insurance by state.
Send the address. I’ll shop it.
Your declarations page and renewal date help, but aren’t required to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Short videos from Sam
Under a minute each. Videos use an AI-generated version of Sam’s likeness and voice. General information only; coverage depends on your policy.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.