Camarillo sits in the heart of Ventura County, between the Pacific coast and the Los Padres National Forest. It's a city of about 70,000 people with pleasant weather, strong schools, and a median household income above $109,000. But living here comes with specific insurance needs you won't find everywhere else in California. Between wildfire risk, earthquake exposure, and California's updated 2025 auto insurance requirements, there's a lot to navigate.
This guide walks you through what you actually need to know about insurance in Camarillo—from the basics of California's new auto coverage minimums to the reality of securing homeowners insurance in a wildfire zone. We'll cover auto, home, earthquake, and health insurance, plus how to work with local agents who understand Ventura County's unique risks.
Auto Insurance Requirements in Camarillo
If you drive in California, you need auto insurance. That's been true for decades. What changed in January 2025 is how much coverage you're required to carry. California's new minimum liability limits are now 30/60/15, meaning $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 total per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. These limits doubled from what drivers needed before—15/30/5—and it's the first increase in over 50 years.
Here's what that means for you: when your auto policy renews, your insurance company will automatically update your coverage to meet the new minimums. You don't need to do anything, but you will likely see your premium go up. The increase reflects the higher limits, which offer better protection if you're at fault in an accident.
But should you stick with the minimums? Probably not. If you cause a serious accident on the 101 freeway or at one of Camarillo's busy intersections near the Premium Outlets, $30,000 per person won't go far. Medical bills from a moderate injury can easily exceed that. Most insurance professionals recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 coverage, and if you have assets to protect—a home, savings, retirement accounts—you should consider even higher limits or an umbrella policy.
If cost is a concern, look into California's Low-Cost Auto Insurance program, which helps qualifying residents afford coverage. And don't skip uninsured motorist coverage—California has a significant number of uninsured drivers, and this protects you if someone without insurance hits you.
Homeowners Insurance: Navigating Wildfire Risk
If you own a home in Camarillo, your mortgage lender requires homeowners insurance. But here's where things get complicated: Ventura County is one of California's most wildfire-prone regions. The 2024 Mountain Fire reminded everyone just how real that risk is, and it's made getting affordable homeowners insurance harder.
Many major insurers have pulled back from California or stopped writing new policies in high-risk areas. If you're shopping for coverage, expect to pay more than you would in less risky parts of the state. Ventura County homeowners insurance typically ranges from higher than the state average of $1,400-$2,000 per year, with wildfire-prone areas pushing premiums even higher. Some homeowners report premiums increasing by 30-50% in recent years.
Standard homeowners insurance in California covers fire damage, including wildfires. That's the good news. The bad news is it doesn't cover earthquake or flood damage. You need separate policies for those risks, and given that California sits on multiple active faults and Camarillo can experience heavy winter rains, those are risks worth considering.
If you're struggling to find coverage in the traditional market, the California FAIR Plan can help. It's the state's insurer of last resort, designed for homeowners who've been rejected by standard carriers. Coverage through FAIR Plan is more expensive and offers less comprehensive protection than a regular policy, but it keeps you insured and lets you keep your mortgage in good standing.
One practical tip: if you're buying a home in Camarillo, get an insurance quote before you close. Don't assume you'll easily find affordable coverage. Talk to multiple agents, compare quotes, and factor the real cost of insurance into your home-buying budget. This is especially critical if you're looking at properties in hillside or interface areas where wildfire risk is highest.
Earthquake Insurance: Is It Worth It?
California sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the San Andreas fault runs through the state. Earthquakes happen regularly—most are small, but the big ones can be devastating. Your standard homeowners policy won't cover earthquake damage to your home or belongings. For that, you need a separate earthquake insurance policy.
Most California earthquake policies come through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), though some private insurers also offer coverage. The premiums vary based on your home's age, construction type, and location, but expect to pay several hundred to over a thousand dollars per year. The catch is the deductible—typically 10% to 20% of your home's insured value. On a $600,000 home, that's a $60,000 to $120,000 deductible, meaning you'd pay that amount out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
Is it worth it? That depends on your financial situation and risk tolerance. If you could afford to rebuild or make major repairs after a significant earthquake without insurance, you might skip it. If a major earthquake would financially devastate you, the coverage makes sense despite the high deductible. Many homeowners in California choose to self-insure for earthquakes, setting aside funds in a dedicated emergency account instead of paying premiums.
Health Insurance in Camarillo
About 95.8% of Camarillo residents have health insurance, which is well above the national average. Most people—about 48.7%—get coverage through employer-sponsored plans, while 16% are on Medicare, 11.9% on Medicaid, and 14.8% on individual non-group plans. Another 4.4% have military or VA coverage.
If you're buying health insurance on your own, you'll use Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment typically runs from November through January, though you may qualify for a special enrollment period if you experience certain life events like losing job-based coverage, getting married, or having a baby.
When choosing a plan, consider whether your doctors and preferred hospitals are in-network. Ventura County has solid healthcare facilities, but if you want access to specialists in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, make sure your plan covers out-of-area care at reasonable rates. Also factor in your prescription medications—formularies vary significantly between plans, and your current medications might be much cheaper on one plan than another.
Working with Local Insurance Agents in Camarillo
Camarillo has four local insurance agencies that understand Ventura County's specific risks. Working with a local agent has real advantages—they know which insurers are still writing policies in wildfire-prone areas, they understand the local real estate market, and they can help you navigate California's complex insurance regulations.
When you're shopping for insurance, talk to multiple agents and carriers. Rates vary significantly between companies, especially for home and auto insurance. An independent agent can quote multiple insurers at once, which saves you time. Ask about discounts—bundling home and auto coverage, having a good credit score, installing home security systems, and maintaining continuous coverage can all reduce your premiums.
Don't just focus on price. Understand what you're buying. A cheap policy with high deductibles and low coverage limits might save you money now but cost you much more if you ever need to file a claim. Read your policy documents, ask questions about what's covered and what's excluded, and make sure you have adequate liability protection.
Getting Started with Your Insurance Needs
Start by taking inventory of what you need to insure—your vehicles, your home, your health, your income if you're self-employed. Then assess your risks. Do you live in a hillside area with higher wildfire exposure? Do you have significant assets that need liability protection? Are you comfortable with the financial risk of earthquake damage?
Once you know what you need, get quotes from multiple sources. Compare coverage levels, deductibles, and premiums. Read reviews of insurers—claims handling matters more than anything else, and you want a company that will be there for you when you need them. Finally, review your coverage annually. Life changes, home values change, and insurance needs change. What made sense last year might not be adequate today.
Insurance isn't exciting, but it's essential. Living in Camarillo means dealing with California's unique insurance challenges—higher auto minimums, wildfire risk, earthquake exposure. But with the right coverage and a local agent who understands Ventura County, you can protect what matters most and have real peace of mind.
