If you're buying a home in Burbank or already own one, you've probably noticed something: home insurance here isn't quite as straightforward as it is in other parts of the country. Living in the entertainment capital means you're balancing the charm of older bungalows and Spanish-style homes with the reality of California's insurance challenges. Between foothill fire zones, earthquake risk, and vintage construction, understanding what you'll actually pay for coverage requires looking beyond the statewide averages.
Here's what you need to know about homeowners insurance costs in Burbank, from the baseline numbers to the factors that can double or triple your premium overnight.
What Burbank Homeowners Actually Pay
The average homeowners insurance premium in Burbank sits around $1,200 per year. That sounds reasonable, especially compared to the California statewide average of roughly $1,350. But here's where it gets tricky: that number masks some serious variation depending on where exactly your home is located.
If your home is in the flatlands—think the neighborhoods around Downtown Burbank, Magnolia Park, or the media district—you're looking at premiums closer to $1,600 per year for a typical single-family home. Budget-conscious shoppers with excellent credit and no claims history might even find coverage for as low as $775 annually with certain carriers.
But move up into the foothills near the Verdugo Mountains, and the story changes completely. Properties in these elevated areas face significantly higher wildfire risk, and your premium reflects that reality. Some homeowners in fire-prone zones report annual costs between $5,000 and $12,000—a staggering difference from the flatland average. In the worst cases, traditional insurers won't offer coverage at all, forcing homeowners into the California FAIR Plan, which provides basic fire coverage but often costs more and covers less than standard policies.
Why Foothill Properties Cost More to Insure
California's wildfire crisis has fundamentally changed how insurers evaluate risk. While CAL FIRE's hazard severity zone maps don't directly set insurance rates, carriers use sophisticated wildfire risk models that consider vegetation density, slope, access to fire response, and historical fire patterns. Burbank's foothill neighborhoods check several high-risk boxes: they're adjacent to brush-covered hills, have limited evacuation routes, and sit near areas that have experienced significant fires in recent years.
The insurance availability crisis is real. Major carriers like State Farm and Allstate have stopped writing new homeowners policies throughout much of California, and they're not making exceptions for Burbank. When State Farm canceled 72,000 policies statewide in recent years, plenty of Burbank homeowners found themselves scrambling for coverage. The average California premium jumped from about $1,300 in 2020 to a projected $3,000 in 2025, and foothill properties are seeing even steeper increases.
The good news? You can lower your premiums by taking action. California's Safer from Wildfires regulations require insurers to offer discounts for wildfire mitigation efforts. Creating defensible space by clearing vegetation within 100 feet of your home, installing ember-resistant vents, using fire-resistant roofing materials, and replacing wood siding with non-combustible alternatives can all qualify you for meaningful premium reductions—sometimes 10-20% off your annual cost.
The Earthquake Coverage Question
Standard homeowners insurance in California doesn't cover earthquake damage. You need a separate policy, and adding it typically increases your annual insurance costs by 50-100%. For a $500,000 home in Burbank, expect to pay between $800 and $2,000 per year for earthquake coverage, though the exact amount varies based on several factors.
Your home's age and construction type matter enormously for earthquake insurance pricing. Older homes built before modern seismic codes, homes with brick or masonry construction, multi-story structures, and houses sitting on sandy soil rather than bedrock all face higher premiums. Since Burbank has plenty of charming 1920s and 1930s bungalows, many homeowners find themselves on the higher end of the cost spectrum. A newer single-story wood-frame home might pay $800 annually for earthquake coverage, while a two-story brick bungalow from 1925 could easily pay $2,500 or more.
Most earthquake policies come with high deductibles—typically 15-25% of your coverage amount. That means if you have $500,000 in coverage with a 15% deductible, you're paying the first $75,000 of damage out of pocket. You'll need to decide whether the peace of mind is worth the cost, especially given Burbank's proximity to major fault lines.
Special Considerations for Older Homes and Bungalows
Burbank's housing stock includes some gorgeous vintage homes—Spanish bungalows, Craftsman cottages, and Victorian beauties. These homes have character, but they also present insurance challenges. Most carriers consider any home built more than 40-50 years ago an "older home," and some simply won't offer standard coverage for houses with outdated electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems.
Enter the HO-8 policy, a specialty form designed specifically for older homes. Unlike standard HO-3 policies that cover replacement cost, HO-8 policies pay actual cash value, which factors in depreciation. If your 95-year-old home with original plaster walls and wood floors suffers damage, an HO-8 policy pays what those materials are worth today, not what it would cost to recreate them with modern equivalents. This keeps premiums lower but can leave you underinsured if you're hoping to restore period-accurate features after a loss.
If you can get standard coverage, make sure to add ordinance or law coverage and building code upgrade endorsements. When you rebuild after a covered loss, you'll need to meet current building codes, which can add 20-50% to reconstruction costs. This endorsement typically adds 15-30% to your premium but can save you tens of thousands if you ever need to file a claim. Given that many Burbank bungalows have knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, and other outdated systems, these upgrades aren't optional—they're required by law.
How to Lower Your Premiums in Burbank
Bundling your home and auto insurance with the same carrier remains one of the easiest ways to save money—typically 15-25% on both policies. Given that car insurance in Burbank already runs higher than the California average due to traffic density and theft rates, the bundled discount can add up to serious savings.
Home improvements also reduce premiums. Updating your electrical system from knob-and-tube to modern wiring, replacing galvanized plumbing, installing a monitored security system, and upgrading to a newer roof can each earn you discounts. Fire-resistant improvements make the biggest difference in foothill areas: installing a Class A fire-rated roof, ember-resistant vents, and non-combustible siding can reduce premiums by 10-20% while genuinely making your home safer.
Shopping around matters more than ever in California's current market. With major carriers exiting and others becoming more selective, rates can vary wildly between companies. Working with a local independent agent who specializes in high-risk properties and knows which carriers are still actively writing in Burbank can make the difference between finding affordable coverage and being stuck with the FAIR Plan.
Getting the Right Coverage for Your Burbank Home
Understanding your insurance costs in Burbank means looking at your specific situation: where your home is located relative to fire zones, how old it is, what it's made of, and whether you need earthquake coverage. The flatland-versus-foothill divide isn't just about geography—it's a fundamental difference in risk that shows up directly in your annual premium.
Start by getting quotes from multiple carriers and being honest about your home's characteristics. Ask specifically about wildfire mitigation discounts, building code upgrade coverage, and whether they're currently writing new policies in your neighborhood. If you're in a foothill area or own an older home, consider working with an agent who specializes in these properties—they'll know which carriers are still offering competitive rates and what endorsements you actually need versus what's optional.
The California insurance market is changing rapidly, and Burbank homeowners are right in the middle of it. But with the right coverage, smart mitigation efforts, and a clear understanding of what drives your premium, you can protect your home without breaking the bank.
