If you're buying a home in Burbank or already own property here, you've probably noticed that home insurance isn't as straightforward as it used to be. Between wildfire concerns in the foothills, earthquake risks across the San Fernando Valley, and a tightening insurance market statewide, finding affordable, comprehensive coverage takes some homework. The good news? Understanding your specific risks and options can save you thousands of dollars and give you real peace of mind.
Burbank sits in a unique position—nestled against the Verdugo Mountains with a mix of flatland neighborhoods and hillside properties. That geography shapes your insurance needs more than you might think. Whether you're in a mid-century ranch in the flats or a hillside home with canyon views, your property faces specific risks that your policy needs to address.
What Does Home Insurance Cost in Burbank?
The average Burbank homeowner pays somewhere between $1,200 and $1,430 per year for home insurance. That's roughly in line with California's statewide average of around $1,148 to $1,623 annually. But here's what matters more than the average: your specific property could cost significantly more or less depending on where it sits and what it's made of.
If you own a hillside property in the Burbank Hills, especially one built before modern fire codes, you're likely looking at the higher end of that range—or even more. Homes in designated high or very high fire severity zones face increased premiums, and some carriers won't even write new policies without documented fire-hardening improvements. Meanwhile, properties in the flatland neighborhoods typically qualify for more competitive rates, assuming the home is well-maintained and doesn't have other risk factors.
Recent rate increases have hit California hard. Both State Farm and Farmers raised rates by 15-20% in 2024, and the trend shows no signs of reversing. California homeowners saw average increases of 10.2% in 2023 and 13.6% in 2024. With median home values in Burbank hovering around $1.2 million, even small percentage increases translate to meaningful dollars on your annual premium.
Understanding Wildfire Risk in Burbank
Wildfire risk is the elephant in the room for Burbank homeowners, particularly those in foothill areas. California's Office of the State Fire Marshal classifies wildland zones as Moderate, High, or Very High fire hazard based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and wind patterns. Portions of Burbank—especially the hillside neighborhoods—fall into these elevated risk categories.
Here's the thing: fire travels faster uphill. The slopes that make hillside properties so desirable for views also create dangerous conditions during wildfires. Embers can drift for miles, landing on roofs and igniting homes even when the fire line is far away. That's why insurers care so much about your roof material, vent types, and defensible space—the area immediately around your home that's been cleared of brush and flammable vegetation.
If you're buying a home built before 2010 in a high fire severity zone, expect sellers to disclose whether the property has fire-hardening features. This isn't just bureaucratic box-checking—it directly affects your ability to get standard coverage. A home with cleared brush within 100 feet, ember-resistant vents, and a Class A fire-rated roof stands a much better chance of qualifying for traditional insurance at reasonable rates. Without those features, you might be looking at the California FAIR Plan, which costs more and offers less comprehensive coverage.
Why Earthquake Coverage Matters in Burbank
Your standard homeowners policy doesn't cover earthquake damage. Read that again, because it surprises a lot of people. Despite sitting in one of the most seismically active regions in the country, California law doesn't require you to carry earthquake insurance—and your mortgage lender probably won't require it either.
But insurance professionals in the San Fernando Valley strongly recommend it, and for good reason. Burbank sits near several fault lines, and a major earthquake could cause tens of thousands—or hundreds of thousands—of dollars in structural damage. Your homeowners policy will cover fire damage if an earthquake ruptures a gas line and burns your house down, but it won't pay for cracked foundations, collapsed chimneys, or buckled walls caused by the shaking itself.
Earthquake insurance comes as a separate policy or endorsement, typically through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) or private insurers. You'll face deductibles ranging from 5% to 25% of your dwelling coverage limit. So if your home is insured for $1.2 million and you choose a 10% deductible, you'd pay the first $120,000 of earthquake damage out of pocket. That's steep, but it's better than shouldering the entire repair cost yourself.
Older homes face additional hurdles. If your home was built before 1980 and doesn't have a verified foundation retrofit, you'll only qualify for higher deductibles—typically 15%, 20%, or 25%. The same applies to homes with dwelling limits above $1 million. Every earthquake policy includes $10,000 in building code upgrade coverage, which helps bring your home up to current standards during repairs, and you can purchase additional coverage if needed.
When You Need the California FAIR Plan
The California FAIR Plan exists as an insurer of last resort for homeowners who can't obtain coverage through the standard market. Between 2019 and 2024, enrollment doubled to 350,000 properties statewide as major insurers pulled back from high-risk areas and stopped writing new policies. If you've been denied coverage by traditional carriers—particularly if you own a hillside property in a high fire zone—the FAIR Plan might be your only option.
The FAIR Plan offers residential coverage up to $3 million, which should be adequate for most Burbank properties. You can apply through any licensed property insurance agent or contact the FAIR Plan directly. But understand what you're getting: FAIR Plan policies cost more than standard coverage—rates increased by over 15% in 2024—and they typically provide more limited coverage than traditional homeowners policies. You may need to purchase a separate liability policy and additional endorsements to match the protection you'd get from a standard policy.
Before accepting FAIR Plan coverage as your only option, consider whether fire-hardening improvements could make you eligible for standard coverage again. Installing ember-resistant vents, replacing an old roof with Class A materials, and creating defensible space around your home aren't cheap projects, but they might pay for themselves within a few years through lower insurance premiums—and they genuinely make your home safer.
Getting the Coverage You Need
Shopping for home insurance in Burbank takes more effort than it used to, but it's worth doing right. Start by getting quotes from at least three carriers, and make sure you're comparing equivalent coverage—not just the premium. Ask specifically about coverage limits for dwelling, other structures, personal property, and liability. Understand your deductibles, both for standard claims and for specific perils like wind or hail.
If you're in a hillside area, be upfront with agents about your property's characteristics. Let them know what fire-hardening features you have or plan to install. Ask whether they have access to carriers that specialize in properties in fire zones—some insurers have carved out niches serving these homes and may offer better rates than generalist carriers.
Don't skip the earthquake insurance conversation. Your homeowners insurance company must offer you earthquake coverage in writing every other year, and you have 30 days to accept. But don't wait for them to ask—bring it up during your initial policy discussion. Get a quote with different deductible levels so you can see the premium trade-offs and make an informed decision about what level of risk you're comfortable carrying yourself.
Protecting your Burbank home with the right insurance isn't just about meeting your lender's requirements—it's about ensuring you can rebuild if disaster strikes without depleting your savings or going into debt. Take the time to understand your specific risks, shop carefully, and build a coverage package that matches your property's unique characteristics and your financial situation. Your future self will thank you.
