Your other home needs its own policy.
Coverage for vacation homes, weekend houses and part-time residences in Malibu, the desert, the mountains and anywhere else in California.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
A house you don't live in is a different risk
Insurers price a second home differently because nobody is there most of the time: a leak can run for weeks, and break-ins go unnoticed. Many homeowners policies limit coverage once a home has been unoccupied or vacant for a set period, so the policy has to match how often you're actually there.
If you rent the home out, even occasionally, that changes the policy again. I place second homes with carriers that write seasonal and secondary residences, and I line the policy up with your primary home and umbrella so liability doesn't fall through the gap.
- The houseRepair or rebuild after fire, wind, theft and other covered causes.
- BelongingsFurniture and contents kept at the second home.
- LiabilityGuests or workers hurt on the property.
- Occupancy fitWritten for seasonal or part-time use, not as a primary home.
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.
- Address: and how far it is from your primary home.
- Use: months you're there each year, and any rentals.
- Home: year built, square footage, construction and updates.
- Protection: alarm, water shut-off, a caretaker who checks it.
- Primary home: your current homeowners carrier.
- History: current policy and claims.
Second home insurance, answered
Does my homeowners policy cover my second home?
Usually not. A homeowners policy is written for the home you live in; a second home needs its own policy, and liability there should be coordinated with your umbrella.
What's the difference between unoccupied and vacant?
Generally, unoccupied means your belongings are there but nobody is living in it right now; vacant means it's empty. Policies treat the two differently, so tell me how the home is really used.
Can I rent my second home sometimes?
Some policies allow occasional rentals and some don't. Regular short-term rentals usually need a rental policy instead.
What do underwriters rate on?
Location and wildfire exposure, construction and age, how often it's occupied, protection devices and claims history.
Do you offer second home 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.
Tell me how you use it. I'll shop it.
The address and how often you're there are enough 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.
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.