Homeowners insurance in Perris, CA

Buying a new home in Perris

A lot of the Perris calls I get are from people closing on a newly built house. Your lender will want proof of homeowners insurance before escrow closes, so it helps to start a couple of weeks early. I'm Javier Calvo, my Farmers agency is in Murrieta, and I can usually quote a new Perris home quickly because there's less to dig into. The roof, wiring and plumbing are all new, and carriers tend to like that.

One thing to keep straight: the builder's warranty and your homeowners policy do different jobs. The warranty covers defects in how the house was built. Your policy covers sudden losses like a fire, a break-in or a pipe that bursts. You need both, and neither one replaces the other.

Set the dwelling limit right from day one

Your purchase price includes the lot, upgrades from the design center and the builder's profit. What your policy needs is the cost to rebuild the house itself. I'd rather work that out with you now than find out after a loss that the number was off. If the home came with owned solar panels, include them too.

Lake Perris, the river and flood risk

Lake Perris is a reservoir, so the flood question in Perris usually isn't about the lake. It's about storm runoff and the San Jacinto River channel, which runs through the valley, and some neighborhoods near it sit in mapped flood zones. Homeowners policies don't cover flooding at all. Look your address up on FEMA's flood map, and if you're near the river, price a flood policy. It typically takes 30 days to take effect.

Wildfire near the hills

The newer tracts on flat ground are usually easy. Homes up against the Bernasconi Hills around Lake Perris, or on rural lots with dry brush nearby, get a closer look from carriers. Fire is covered on a standard policy. If Farmers won't write the home, the California FAIR Plan covers fire, and you'd add a separate policy for theft, water damage and liability.

Liability when people come over

If you have a pool, a trampoline or a dog, your liability limit matters more than your dwelling limit in some ways. A guest getting hurt is one of the more expensive claims a homeowner can face. I usually suggest more than the minimum, and an umbrella policy if you entertain a lot.

My homeowners insurance guide covers the basics of a policy. If you're also insuring a car, ask me about home and auto together, which usually earns a discount. I also write homes down the road in Menifee.

Call (951) 383-3000 or stop by 26690 Madison Ave, Ste 105, Murrieta, CA 92562. I'll quote your Perris home in English or Spanish, and I'll tell you plainly what I'd change.