Malibu homes face wildfire from the mountains and waves, erosion and landslides from the coast, often at the same address. Many owners here are on a FAIR Plan policy with DIC coverage, a surplus lines policy, or rebuilding after the Woolsey, Franklin or Palisades fires.
Homes in Malibu
Malibu stretches along the coast in a narrow band. Beachfront homes sit close to the water, many on pilings, along Carbon Beach, Broad Beach and the beaches near the Colony. Bluff-top homes overlook the ocean from Point Dume and other headlands, and canyon and ridge homes climb into the Santa Monica Mountains, some on large lots with horses or vineyards.
Construction ranges from older beach cottages to large modern homes, and many properties are second homes. Replacement cost is driven by difficult sites, engineering and access along Pacific Coast Highway, so dwelling limits often exceed what standard carriers write and land on high-value or surplus lines policies.
Malibu’s risks, and the coverage for each
Most of Malibu has faced more than one major fire in recent years, and the coastline adds hazards that a homeowners policy doesn’t cover at all.
- WildfireThe Woolsey Fire in 2018, the Franklin Fire in 2024 and the Palisades Fire in 2025 all destroyed homes in Malibu, and much of the city is mapped in high fire hazard severity zones. Where admitted carriers decline, FAIR Plan plus DIC or surplus lines is common.
- Coastal flood and erosionBeachfront homes can be damaged by storm surf and flooding, and FEMA maps coastal high-hazard zones along parts of the shore. Homeowners policies exclude flood; a flood policy is separate, and gradual erosion is generally not covered by either.
- Landslides and mudflowSlopes along PCH and in the canyons have a history of landslides, and burned hillsides can send mud and debris downhill in heavy rain. Earth movement is generally excluded from homeowners policies; a flood policy may cover mudflow as it defines it.
- EarthquakeHillside and piling foundations raise earthquake questions, and quake damage is excluded from home policies. Earthquake insurance is a separate policy.
Los Angeles County’s record: about 294,804 acres burned in the wildfires CAL FIRE posted from 2013 through 2025, the largest the Woolsey Fire (2018, 96,949 acres in all); 1,844 National Flood Insurance Program claims since 2005, paid $28 million; 15 federal major disaster declarations since 2000. The county’s full storm history; wildfires by county.
Non-renewals here: of the homeowners policies that came up for renewal in 2023, insurers declined 11.1% in 90265 (statewide, 9.4%), per California Department of Insurance figures. The FAIR Plan’s share of insured homes in 2022 was 31.1% in 90265 (statewide, 3.2%). Every year and every ZIP.
Insurance problems I see in Malibu
- Homes above the FAIR Plan limit. The FAIR Plan caps residential dwelling coverage, so larger Malibu homes may need excess coverage stacked above it, coordinated with the DIC policy.
- Rebuilding after a fire. Owners who lost homes need builder’s risk or course-of-construction coverage while rebuilding, and liability for the lot while it sits.
- Second homes and seasonal occupancy. Some carriers restrict coverage for homes left unoccupied for long stretches. Be clear about how often the home is lived in, and see vacant home coverage if it’s empty.
- Short-term rentals. Malibu requires permits for short-term rentals and enforces its rules. A permitted rental still needs coverage written for paying guests.
- Liability at the beach. Guests, pools, horses and beach access raise liability exposure, which an umbrella policy can extend.
Serving Malibu from Beverly Hills
Malibu owners are about a half-hour to an hour up the coast from my Beverly Hills office, depending on PCH. I handle Malibu placements by phone and online, and I can work directly with your property manager, contractor or escrow officer.
I don’t have an office in Malibu. I serve Malibu clients from my Beverly Hills office, and quotes, applications and policy changes are handled by phone and online. Call (424) 552-4545, answered 24/7, or send a quote request.
Malibu home insurance, answered
Can I still get a regular homeowners policy in Malibu?
Some homes still qualify with admitted carriers, especially newer construction with ember-resistant features and good defensible space, but appetite is limited. Many Malibu homes are placed with surplus lines insurers or on a FAIR Plan policy with DIC coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from waves or coastal erosion?
Flood and surface water, including storm surf, are excluded from homeowners policies and need a flood policy. Gradual erosion and earth movement are generally excluded from both, so read the exclusions closely for a beachfront or bluff-top home.
What insurance do I need while rebuilding after the fire?
Typically a builder’s risk or course-of-construction policy for the new structure, liability for the site, and confirmation of what your contractor carries. Coordinate it with any remaining claim on your prior policy.
Is my Malibu home insured for enough to rebuild?
Rebuild costs in Malibu can be far above typical construction costs because of site work, engineering, access and current wildfire building codes. Ordinance-or-law coverage and extended replacement cost are worth reviewing with the dwelling limit.
General information about insurance in Malibu as of September 2026, not legal advice. Hazard maps, local rules and carrier appetite change; check current CAL FIRE, FEMA and city or county sources for a specific address. Coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.