Redwood City, CA Home Insurance
Redwood City's real documented peril is not wildfire, it is water. The city's own sea level rise project states that roughly 11,500 people live in Redwood Shores behind a levee that is currently seeking FEMA re-accreditation, with FEMA-identified flood risk the project exists to address. Flood is excluded from every standard homeowners policy. The Allen Thomas Group builds home insurance around your actual property and location, backed by A+ rated carriers and more than two decades of independent-agency experience.
Last Updated: October 5, 2026
Carriers We Represent
How Much Does Home Insurance Cost in Redwood City, CA?
No Redwood City-specific average premium is independently published. NerdWallet reports a California average of $2,230 per year on $500,000 of dwelling coverage, and publishes San Francisco at $2,085 per year and San Jose at $1,875 as the nearest usable Peninsula metro proxies. Redwood City's median owner-occupied home value is $1,801,700, the highest among nearby Peninsula cities, so all three figures sit well below typical local dwelling exposure.
Flood zone status is the variable most likely to surprise a Redwood City homeowner, and it is priced separately from your homeowners policy entirely.
Get a free, personalized quote or call (440) 826-3676 to see what Redwood City-specific factors mean for your rate.
What Hazards Actually Affect Home Insurance in Redwood City, CA?
Flood is the documented local peril, and the city is unusually transparent about it. The City of Redwood City's Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project states that it will protect homes, schools, businesses and critical infrastructure by addressing flood risk identified by FEMA along with projected future sea level rise, through a raised and strengthened Redwood Shores levee. Approximately 11,500 people live in Redwood Shores, and the levee also protects the Silicon Valley Clean Water treatment plant, the SamTrans bus depot and San Carlos Airport. One of the project's stated goals is to select a preferred alternative for renewed FEMA accreditation, which means the levee is not currently accredited.
That matters directly for coverage. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage everywhere, and levee accreditation status feeds into FEMA flood mapping, which in turn determines whether flood insurance is federally required on a mortgage and how it is priced. If you own in Redwood Shores or another low-lying part of the city, confirm your current zone rather than assuming your homeowners policy responds.
Earthquake is the second exposure. The San Andreas Fault runs up the Peninsula just west of the city, which stretches from San Francisco Bay toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. The 1906 rupture ran 270 miles with its epicenter offshore near Daly City, and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake is documented as having caused severe damage in communities across San Mateo County. No Redwood City-specific historical earthquake damage figure was found in a citable source, so we frame this structurally rather than inventing a local loss number. A standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Redwood City leaves quake damage uncovered outright; the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), a state-created program, is the standard route to filling that gap.
On wildfire, Redwood City is a flatland bayfront Peninsula city. The CZU Lightning Complex burned in San Mateo County, but in the coastal mountains far from here, and we are not going to imply otherwise.
Get a free, personalized quote or call (440) 826-3676 to review your flood and earthquake coverage options.
Why Home Insurance Matters
Redwood City is home to an estimated 82,178 residents as of 2025, down 2.5% since 2020 (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts). The median owner-occupied home value is $1,801,700, median household income is $157,814, owner-occupancy is 48.6%, and 32.9% of residents are foreign-born.
Redwood City incorporated in 1867, the first city in San Mateo County to do so, and has been the county seat since 1856. The 1910 courthouse now houses the San Mateo County History Museum, its glass dome lit at night. The downtown arches carry the city slogan "Climate Best By Government Test," from a pre-World War I climatological survey in which the area tied with the Canary Islands. Neighborhoods include Redwood Shores, Bair Island, Friendly Acres, Emerald Lake Hills and Farm Hill.
Those neighborhoods carry genuinely different risk. Redwood Shores sits behind a levee pursuing FEMA re-accreditation; Emerald Lake Hills and Farm Hill sit upland toward the Santa Cruz Mountains. We work with homeowners throughout Redwood City to build home insurance coverage that reflects which part of the city you actually live in. The Allen Thomas Group writes home insurance in Redwood City, CA through 15+ A-rated carriers, including Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and Cincinnati.
- Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, the city's most clearly documented peril
- Roughly 11,500 people live in Redwood Shores behind a levee currently seeking FEMA re-accreditation
- The city's own project page cites FEMA-identified flood risk as the reason the levee work is needed
- Earthquake damage isn't included in a standard policy; a CEA add-on is what actually covers a the San Andreas Fault rupture
- No Redwood City-specific historical earthquake damage figure exists, so exposure is framed structurally
- At $1,801,700, Redwood City has the highest median home value among nearby Peninsula cities
Personal Insurance for Families
Your home is likely your largest asset, and protecting it goes beyond the structure itself. Redwood City families need homeowners coverage that covers the dwelling, personal property inside, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if a disaster forces you to relocate. We work with carriers like Travelers, Liberty Mutual, and Auto-Owners to build multi-policy packages that give you discounts and cohesive protection.
Many Redwood City homeowners also carry auto insurance and excess liability coverage. Bundling auto and home policies typically saves 10-20% compared to separate carriers, and an excess liability policy can add $1-2 million in coverage above your home and auto limits, which matters if you entertain guests or own a higher-value property.
Life insurance ensures your family can cover the mortgage and maintain their lifestyle if something happens to you. Term life is affordable and straightforward; many Redwood City families pair a 20- or 30-year term policy with their home and auto coverage to create a complete safety net.
- Dwelling coverage reimburses rebuilding costs; we help you set limits that match real Redwood City construction costs
- Personal property coverage protects furniture, electronics, and belongings inside your Redwood City home
- Liability limits of $300,000–$500,000 shield you from lawsuits if a guest is injured at your property
- Additional living expenses coverage pays hotel, meals, and other costs if you're displaced after a loss
- Bundle auto and home coverage for typical savings of 10-20% compared to separate carriers
- Umbrella-style excess liability adds coverage above your home and auto limits for higher-value Redwood City properties
- Life insurance paired with your home policy ensures your family can cover the mortgage if something happens to you
Why Choose The Allen Thomas Group
The Allen Thomas Group is a family-owned independent insurance agency licensed in 28 states and founded in 2003. We don’t work for one insurance company, so we’re not stuck offering you whatever that single company decides to charge. If a carrier raises your premium or pulls back from writing in Redwood City, as several have done across California in recent years, we can shop your coverage elsewhere without you starting the process over from scratch.
Our A+ BBB rating reflects two decades of transparent, claims-focused service. We listen to your situation, explain your options in plain English, and help you choose coverage that actually protects what matters. Many of our clients have been with us for 10+ years because we treat their renewal as seriously as their initial policy. When a claim happens, we advocate for you with the carrier, ensuring you’re treated fairly.
That personal attention means we take the time to understand your actual situation in Redwood City, whatever your property and risk profile look like.
- Independent agency structure gives you choice and competitive pricing across multiple carrier markets
- Deep familiarity with California-specific rules, from CEA requirements to FAIR Plan eligibility, benefits every Redwood City client
- A+ BBB rating reflects transparent practices, plain-English explanations, and dedicated claims advocacy
- Direct access to your agent, not a call-center queue, when you have a question or need to file a claim
- Personalized discovery process identifies gaps and redundancies in your current coverage before quoting
- Local awareness of Redwood City's seismic, wildfire, and property-value factors informs every recommendation
- Long-term client relationships built on trust, not just annual renewals or commission-driven sales
How We Work With You
Our process is straightforward and focused on your actual needs, not a pressure sale. We start with Discovery: a conversation about your home, family, and vehicles. We ask about your existing coverage, claims history, and gaps you’ve noticed. Then we Market: we quote your profile across our full carrier network to find the best combination of rate, coverage, and financial strength for your situation. You review a Side-by-Side comparison showing what each carrier offers and costs.
Once you choose a carrier and coverage, we handle the Application and get your policy in force. If you need to adjust coverage mid-year, say you add a second vehicle or complete a major renovation, we update your policy and manage any premium adjustments. And if a claim happens, we’re here to help. We guide you through the claims process, ensure the carrier processes your claim fairly, and advocate if disputes arise.
Many of our Redwood City clients also use us for annual reviews, especially after property improvements. A new roof or other upgrade might qualify you for discounts or reduce your coverage needs. We monitor your situation and reach out if we spot savings or changes that benefit you.
- Discovery conversation uncovers your real risks and current coverage gaps before we quote anything
- Market comparison across our carrier network shows you rates, coverage options, and financial strength side-by-side
- Transparent quoting with no surprises; we explain premium drivers and where you can reduce costs safely
- Fast application and activation; we handle paperwork and get you in force quickly for peace of mind
- Mid-year adjustments available if your home or vehicles change and require coverage updates
- Claims advocacy ensures the carrier treats you fairly if you file a claim; we guide you through the process
- Annual reviews keep your coverage aligned with your current property values and life circumstances
Home Insurance Considerations for Redwood City Homeowners
The questions we hear most from Redwood City homeowners are whether they need earthquake coverage given the Redwood Shores levee is unaccredited, and how replacement cost stacks up against actual cash value on an older home. Both directly affect how well you recover after a loss, so we walk through each one plainly.
Flood Is Excluded, and a Levee Does Not Change That. Living behind a levee reduces the likelihood of flooding; it does not create coverage. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage everywhere. The Redwood Shores levee is currently pursuing FEMA re-accreditation, and accreditation status feeds directly into flood mapping, which determines whether coverage is federally required on your mortgage and how it prices. Confirm your zone rather than assuming.
Earthquake Coverage and the CEA. Your standard homeowners policy does not cover earthquake shake damage either. Because Redwood City sits just east of the San Andreas trace on the Peninsula, we review California Earthquake Authority (CEA) options directly with homeowners, covering the deductible structure and exactly what is and isn't included.
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value. Because many Redwood City homes sit in the older inland neighborhoods, a good number are still covered on an actual cash value (ACV) basis simply because it was the cheaper option when the policy was written. The problem is depreciation: ACV only pays what the home is worth today, not what rebuilding actually costs. Replacement Cost coverage removes that discount, and for most homeowners here, the added premium is worth avoiding the shortfall.
- Standard homeowners policies carry no earthquake protection at all; a CEA policy or private earthquake endorsement has to be added separately
- Flood damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies; Redwood Shores and other low-lying areas should confirm FEMA zone status
- Levee accreditation status affects flood mapping, federal requirements and pricing
- Neighborhoods vary sharply: Redwood Shores is bayfront, Emerald Lake Hills and Farm Hill are upland
- Homes at a $1.8 million median value frequently exceed standard-market replacement-cost appetite
- Regular policy reviews help you adjust limits as Peninsula construction costs rise
How a Standard Homeowners Policy Is Built
Enter your dwelling coverage amount to see how the other three core coverages are typically sized around it.
Based on standard HO-3 homeowners policy structure, not this property's specific figures. Your actual coverage should be set with your agent based on your home's real replacement cost and contents.
These are typical ratios, not your real numbers.
Get a Free Coverage Review →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need flood insurance in Redwood City?
Quite possibly, and your homeowners policy will not provide it. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage everywhere. The city's Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project exists to address FEMA-identified flood risk for roughly 11,500 people living behind the Redwood Shores levee, and one of its stated goals is selecting a preferred alternative for renewed FEMA accreditation.
Does living behind the Redwood Shores levee mean I am covered?
No. A levee can reduce the likelihood of flooding, but it does not create insurance coverage. The Redwood Shores levee is currently pursuing FEMA re-accreditation, and accreditation status feeds into flood mapping, which determines whether flood insurance is federally required on your mortgage and how it is priced.
Does my Redwood City homeowners policy cover earthquake damage?
No. Standard homeowners policies in California, including in Redwood City, exclude earthquake shake damage. The San Andreas Fault runs up the Peninsula just west of the city. Only a separate California Earthquake Authority (CEA) policy or a private earthquake endorsement actually covers quake damage.
Has an earthquake damaged Redwood City specifically?
No Redwood City-specific historical earthquake damage figure was found in a citable source, so we frame the exposure structurally rather than inventing a local loss number. What is documented is that the 1906 rupture ran 270 miles with its epicenter offshore near Daly City, and that the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused severe damage in communities across San Mateo County.
Is Redwood City at risk of wildfire?
Not meaningfully. Redwood City is a flatland bayfront Peninsula city. The CZU Lightning Complex did burn in San Mateo County, but in the coastal mountains far from the city, and it would be misleading to present that as local wildfire exposure.
How much does home insurance cost in Redwood City?
No Redwood City-specific average is published. NerdWallet puts the California average at $2,230 per year on $500,000 of dwelling coverage, with San Francisco at $2,085 and San Jose at $1,875 as the nearest Peninsula proxies. All three sit well below typical local exposure against a $1,801,700 median home value.
Can I bundle my auto and home insurance with The Allen Thomas Group in Redwood City?
Yes, and bundling usually brings a 10-20% savings and means one bill instead of two. Because we're independent, we're not boxed into a single carrier for both lines; if separate carriers make more sense for your home and auto, we set it up that way and explain the tradeoffs.
Protect Your Home Today
Get a free quote from The Allen Thomas Group and see how much you can save on home insurance tailored to Redwood City's real risks and your property's real value.