Homeowners insurance in Wildomar, CA

Wildomar homes come in every shape

Wildomar only became a city in 2008, and you can still see the county roots in how it's built. You've got newer tracts along the I-15, older houses on big lots, horse properties, and a fair number of places with a shop or a barn out back. That mix is why I don't quote Wildomar homes off a template. Two houses a mile apart can need very different policies.

I'm Javier Calvo. My office is in Murrieta, right next door, and I've spent more than 25 years in business and construction, so I tend to ask about the building itself: roof age, wiring, plumbing, what's been updated. On older Wildomar homes, those answers move the price more than anything else.

Fire risk on the foothill side

The west side of town backs up toward the Santa Ana Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest. Homes near that brush line are the ones carriers get nervous about, and some won't write them at all right now. Calvo Insurance Agency is a Farmers agency, so I can tell you quickly whether Farmers will take your home. If the answer is no, the California FAIR Plan covers fire, and you'd add a separate policy for theft, water damage and liability, because the FAIR Plan leaves those out.

Defensible space matters out here, and not only for the fire department. Under California's Safer from Wildfires rules, insurers have to offer discounts for things like a Class A roof, ember-resistant vents and a cleared zone right around the house. If you've done the work, I want to know about it.

Murrieta Creek and flood insurance

Murrieta Creek runs down through Wildomar on its way to Temecula, and the low ground near it can flood in a heavy winter. Homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, no matter how far you are from the creek. If your lot sits low, pull it up on FEMA's flood map. Flood policies usually have a 30-day wait before they start, so it's a decision to make in summer, not in January.

Barns, horses and home businesses

Detached structures like a barn, workshop or fence fall under the other structures part of your policy, which is often set at 10% of the dwelling limit. On a horse property that number can run out fast, so it's worth raising.

Horses themselves are a liability question. Owning a horse for your family is one thing. Boarding horses for other people or giving lessons is a business, and a standard homeowners policy usually won't cover it. The same goes for a home business with customers or equipment: most homeowners policies only cover a small amount of business property. Tell me what you actually do on the property and I'll tell you where the gaps are.

Earthquakes

The Wildomar fault, part of the larger Elsinore fault zone, runs right through this area. Earthquake damage isn't covered by homeowners insurance. You'd need a separate policy, usually through the California Earthquake Authority, and the deductible is a percentage of your dwelling limit. I'll show you the numbers and let you decide whether it's worth it.

Let's look at what you have

If you're nearby in Lake Elsinore, I wrote a separate page on homeowners insurance in Lake Elsinore. For the basics of how a policy works, see my homeowners insurance guide. And if you want your cars on the same policy, ask about home and auto together.

Call (951) 383-3000, or come by the office at 26690 Madison Ave, Ste 105, Murrieta, CA 92562. Bring your current declarations page and I'll go through it with you in English or Spanish.