Living in Upland means enjoying historic downtown charm, foothill views of the San Gabriel Mountains, and a tight-knit community along old Route 66. But this beautiful foothill location also means you're facing some serious natural disaster risks that your standard homeowners insurance policy probably doesn't cover the way you think it does. Between earthquake exposure, wildfire threats from those notorious Santa Ana winds, and the reality that your home is likely worth over $800,000 in today's market, getting your insurance right isn't just paperwork—it's financial protection you actually need.
Here's what every Upland homeowner needs to know about protecting their property in 2025 and beyond.
Why Upland's Location Creates Unique Insurance Challenges
Upland sits in San Bernardino County at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains—gorgeous, yes, but this foothill position puts you squarely in harm's way for both earthquakes and wildfires. The city itself has identified these as two of the three greatest threats facing residents, alongside flooding.
The earthquake risk is real. California sits on multiple fault lines, and Upland is no exception. When the ground shakes, your standard homeowners policy won't cover the damage. Not the cracked foundation, not the collapsed chimney, not the shattered tile work. That coverage has to come from a separate earthquake policy, and we'll get into that shortly.
Then there's wildfire. During autumn, strong Santa Ana winds funnel through Cajon Pass, drying out the area and creating perfect conditions for fast-moving fires. In September 2024, the Bridge Fire came close enough that foothill communities from Mountain Avenue up to Shinn Road were under evacuation orders. If you think it can't happen to you, talk to your neighbors who had to pack up and leave that week.
The Earthquake Coverage Gap You Need to Close
Here's the uncomfortable truth: only about 12% of California residents carry earthquake insurance. That means 88% of homeowners are gambling that the Big One won't hit during their ownership. Given that the median home value in Upland hit $822,580 in 2025, that's a pretty expensive bet.
Earthquake insurance in California typically comes through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) or private insurers. Your homeowners insurance company is required by law to offer you earthquake coverage every two years, and you have 30 days to accept that offer once it's mailed to you. Don't ignore that letter.
The catch with earthquake coverage is the deductible—it's typically 10% to 25% of your coverage limit. On an $800,000 home with a 15% deductible, you're responsible for the first $120,000 of damage. Yes, that's steep. But if a major earthquake causes $300,000 in damage, you're still coming out $180,000 ahead versus having no coverage at all. And as of January 2025, the CEA implemented a 6.8% rate increase, adding about $70 per year for most homeowners—painful but manageable compared to rebuilding from scratch.
One silver lining: California law requires that fire damage caused by an earthquake must be covered by your regular homeowners policy, even without earthquake insurance. So if the quake ruptures a gas line and your house burns down, that's covered. It's the structural damage from shaking that requires the separate policy.
Wildfire Coverage and the California FAIR Plan
Unlike earthquake damage, fire damage from wildfires is covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. That's the good news. The concerning news is that some insurers are getting skittish about covering homes in high-risk fire areas—and Upland's foothill location puts parts of the city in that category.
The 2025 Los Angeles wildfires alone caused economic losses projected to exceed $100 billion. Since 2017, eight of the top ten U.S. wildfire events by insured losses happened in California. Insurers are paying attention to these numbers, and some are raising premiums, restricting coverage, or pulling out of high-risk areas entirely.
If you're having trouble getting traditional coverage, the California FAIR Plan exists as a safety net. It provides basic fire insurance coverage for properties that traditional insurers won't cover. It's not as comprehensive as a full homeowners policy, and it's typically more expensive, but it keeps you from being completely uninsured. You can then layer additional coverage on top of your FAIR Plan policy to fill the gaps.
Living in the foothills near Mountain Avenue and Shinn Road? Pay extra attention here. That's exactly where evacuation warnings were issued during the 2024 Bridge Fire. Make sure your policy includes adequate coverage for temporary living expenses if you have to evacuate, and document your belongings now with photos and receipts—you don't want to be reconstructing your possessions from memory while displaced.
Getting Your Coverage Amounts Right in Upland's Hot Market
Upland's housing market is moving fast. Homes are going to pending status in about 22 days—significantly quicker than the 63-day average across San Bernardino County. That tells you demand is strong and values are climbing. The average home value reached $822,580 in 2025, up 1.4% from the previous year, with 251 homes sold in October 2025 compared to 210 the year before.
Why does this matter for insurance? Because your dwelling coverage needs to reflect what it would actually cost to rebuild your home today—not what you paid for it or what it's worth on the market. Those are different numbers. Your home's market value includes the land; your dwelling coverage should not, since you can't lose the land in a fire or earthquake.
Talk to your insurance agent about replacement cost coverage versus actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to rebuild or replace your damaged property without deducting for depreciation. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation, leaving you short when it's time to rebuild. Given rising construction costs and the diverse housing stock in Upland—from historic downtown homes to newer developments—replacement cost coverage is worth the extra premium.
Don't forget about coverage for detached structures, personal property, and loss of use. If a wildfire forces you out for six months while your home is being rebuilt, your loss of use coverage pays for hotel stays or rental housing. Given that 43% of Upland households are renters paying an average of $2,297 per month, temporary housing isn't cheap—make sure your coverage reflects that reality.
How to Get Started with the Right Coverage
Start by reviewing your current homeowners policy. When was the last time you actually read it? Pull it out and check your dwelling coverage amount, your deductible, and what's excluded. Look specifically for earthquake and flood exclusions—they're almost certainly there.
Next, get quotes for earthquake coverage. Contact your current insurer first, since bundling can sometimes get you a discount. Also check the California Earthquake Authority directly and compare private insurers. Yes, the deductibles are high, but run the numbers on what you'd actually pay out of pocket in various earthquake scenarios versus being completely uninsured.
Consider your home's specific wildfire risk. If you're in the foothills near the mountains, your risk is higher than if you're down near the 10 freeway. Take steps to create defensible space around your property—clearing brush, maintaining your roof and gutters, using fire-resistant materials—and document these improvements. Some insurers offer premium discounts for wildfire mitigation efforts, and even if they don't, you're making your home safer.
Finally, shop around every few years. The insurance market in California is volatile right now, with carriers adjusting their risk models and pricing. What was the best deal two years ago might not be today. Get at least three quotes, compare coverage line by line—not just the premium—and don't be afraid to switch if you find better value elsewhere.
Upland is a wonderful place to own a home, with its historic charm, mountain views, and strong community. But protecting that investment means facing the reality of earthquake and wildfire risk head-on. Standard homeowners insurance isn't enough—you need earthquake coverage, adequate dwelling limits that reflect actual rebuilding costs, and a clear understanding of what happens if you're forced to evacuate. Take the time now to get your coverage right, because when disaster strikes, it's too late to buy the policy you should have had all along.
