Bakersfield Home Owners Insurance?

Question

Someone related to me just bought a new house in Bakersfield, CA. Theyre in escrow right now and have to get homeowners insurance.

I think first american title gives a pretty good one that has flood insurance, which I heard can be a good think in Bake.

However, the offer explicitely states it has no earthquake insurance.

The insurance is 760 a year.

Any advice on insurance?
Whats your experience etc.
Which one to get.

Any answers are greatly appreciated :)

Answer 1

They may want to try a website that compares multiple companies at once to get them the best price. I am paying less than ½ after I did.

Go to: http://www.insureme.com/landing.aspx?Refby=616162&Type=home

Take care,
Casey

Answer 2

No insurance co includes EQ on a homeowners policy. Some companies will add the peril of EQ by endorsing it onto the policy. Most of the big companies use the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and it's a separate policy.
Flood ins. is never covered on a homeowners either. Flood is a government program N.F.I.P. but is serviced and written on many private insurers paper. It could be the lender is requiring flood ins because it's in a flood zone. Flood ins is expensive but can be worth it. Same with EQ.
Don't always take the cheapest price out there on the homeowners and make sure the policy includes extended replacement cost

Answer 3

Keep calling around for rates. Earthquake insurance is always a must have in CA, as for flood insurance, make sure you're in a flood zone and then decide. It's generally a good idea to have it, because you always need it when you don't have it and damages caused by floods, of any sort, are almost always excluded on the homeowners policy.

Answer 4

OK, flood insurance is ALWAYS a seperate policy. ALWAYS. If they are under the impression that their one homeowners policy includes flood, they are WRONG.

Earthquake can be an endorsement in low risk areas, but in a high risk area, it's a seperate policy.

They need to talk to a local, independent agent to get SEVERAL quotes from DIFFERENT companies, and compare coverages.