Living in Burlingame means you've got the best of the Peninsula at your doorstep—Broadway shopping, quick access to SFO, and a tight-knit community vibe. But with median home prices hitting $2.6 million and rental costs averaging $3,555 per month, protecting what you've worked for isn't optional. Whether you're a homeowner in one of those charming single-family homes built in the 1950s, a renter in a modern apartment, or commuting to San Francisco or Silicon Valley for work, the right insurance coverage gives you peace of mind.
Here's what makes insurance in Burlingame unique: you're in San Mateo County, which means earthquake risk is real, flood insurance discounts are available, and California just updated its minimum auto insurance requirements for the first time since the 1970s. Let's break down what you actually need to know.
Auto Insurance in Burlingame: New Requirements for 2025
If you haven't renewed your car insurance yet this year, heads up: California's minimum coverage requirements changed on January 1, 2025. For the first time in over 50 years, the state raised the bar. You now need at least 30/60/15 coverage, which breaks down to $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. The old minimums were 15/30/5, and honestly, they were dangerously low even before the update.
Here's the thing about driving in Burlingame: you're surrounded by high-value vehicles and expensive real estate. One fender-bender on El Camino Real during rush hour could easily exceed those minimum limits. Most insurance pros recommend bumping your coverage to at least 100/300/100 and adding uninsured motorist protection. Yes, it costs more upfront, but when the alternative is paying out of pocket for damages that exceed your policy limits, that extra $30 or $40 per month suddenly feels like a bargain.
Living this close to SFO and major tech hubs means your rates reflect the traffic density and accident frequency in the area. But don't just accept the first quote you get. Burlingame has multiple local agents who can shop around for you, and rates can vary dramatically between carriers for the exact same coverage. Ask about discounts for bundling with home or renters insurance, safe driving records, or even having your car parked in a garage overnight.
Homeowners Insurance: What the High Stakes Mean for Coverage
When your home is worth $2.6 million (the current median in Burlingame), making sure you're properly insured isn't just about satisfying your mortgage lender. It's about making sure you can actually rebuild if disaster strikes. Many homeowners make the mistake of insuring their home for its market value rather than its replacement cost. These are two very different numbers, especially in California where construction costs keep climbing.
Your standard homeowners policy covers the usual suspects: fire, theft, windstorm damage, and liability if someone gets hurt on your property. What it doesn't cover—and this trips up a lot of Peninsula residents—is earthquake or flood damage. Those require separate policies, and given Burlingame's location, you should seriously consider both.
Earthquake insurance through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) averages around $1,770 per year for $500,000 in coverage. Yes, the deductibles are steep—typically 10-20% of your dwelling coverage—but if a major quake hits, you're looking at tens or hundreds of thousands in out-of-pocket repairs without it. The CEA raised rates by 6.8% in January 2025, adding about $70 per year for most policyholders, but that's still far less than the financial devastation of being uninsured when the ground starts shaking.
Flood insurance is another smart move. San Mateo County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and has earned a Class 9 rating, which means you automatically get a 5% discount on NFIP policies. Even if you're not in a designated flood zone, heavy rains and aging infrastructure can cause unexpected water damage. A flood policy is surprisingly affordable compared to the cost of replacing water-damaged floors, walls, and belongings.
Renters Insurance: The Coverage Nearly Half of Burlingame Needs
With 49.5% of Burlingame's housing units occupied by renters, there's a good chance you're one of them. Yet most renters skip insurance entirely, assuming their landlord's policy covers them. It doesn't. Your landlord's insurance protects the building structure, not your stuff or your liability.
Here's what surprises most people about renters insurance: it's not really about your belongings, though it does replace your laptop, bike, or furniture if they're stolen or damaged. The real value is liability coverage. If someone slips and falls in your apartment, or your bathtub overflows and damages the unit below, you could be on the hook for thousands in medical bills or repair costs. A renters policy handles that. And the best part? It typically costs between $15 and $30 per month for solid coverage.
Renters insurance also includes loss of use coverage, which pays for temporary housing if your apartment becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event like a fire. When average rent in Burlingame runs $3,555 per month, having your policy cover a hotel or short-term rental while repairs are made is a lifesaver.
Finding the Right Agent in Burlingame
Burlingame has six local insurance agencies that understand the unique needs of Peninsula residents. Working with a local agent instead of buying direct online has real advantages: they know which carriers are actually writing policies in San Mateo County right now (some insurers have pulled back from California), they can explain the difference between replacement cost and market value, and they'll help you navigate earthquake and flood coverage options that online forms often gloss over.
When you're shopping for coverage, get quotes from at least three different sources. Ask specific questions about discounts, coverage limits, and deductibles. Don't just focus on the premium—a policy that's $200 cheaper per year but has a $5,000 deductible instead of $1,000 isn't actually saving you money if you need to file a claim. And make sure you understand what's covered and what's not, especially regarding earthquake and flood damage.
How to Get Started With Insurance in Burlingame
Start by taking inventory of what you need to protect. If you're a homeowner, get a realistic estimate of your home's replacement cost—not just its market value. If you're a renter, make a quick list of your belongings and estimate what it would cost to replace everything if disaster struck. For your car, pull out your current policy and check whether you meet the new 30/60/15 minimums or if you're carrying more robust coverage.
Then reach out to local agents for quotes. Ask about bundling discounts—most insurers will give you 15-25% off if you combine auto and home or renters policies. Ask about earthquake and flood coverage, even if you think you don't need it. And review your coverage annually, especially if you've made home improvements, bought expensive electronics, or changed your commute pattern.
Insurance isn't the most exciting topic, but getting it right means you can enjoy everything Burlingame offers without worrying about what happens if things go wrong. Take an afternoon to review your coverage, get a few quotes, and make sure you're protected. Your future self will thank you.
