Insurance for Your Rebuild: Questions Altadena Homeowners Should Be Asking
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Rebuilding after the Eaton Fire involves more than choosing a floorplan, materials, and finishes. Homeowners also need to understand how their rebuilt home—and the decisions made during construction—may affect their future insurance options.
On Tuesday, July 21, Remington Rebuilds is hosting an informal Office Hours conversation about insurance before, during, and after a rebuild. We will be joined by Madison Gilmartin of the Gilmartin Insurance Agency, who will share current information and answer questions from Altadena homeowners.
Tuesday, July 21
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Remington Rebuilds Altadena Office
2450 N Lake Ave
This is a casual, drop-in event. Come by anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. to listen, ask questions, and learn more about the insurance considerations that may be part of your rebuilding process.
Can a rebuilt home be insured?
Many homeowners are understandably concerned that insurance will be unavailable after they rebuild. Although every property must be evaluated individually, rebuilt homes may have several possible insurance paths, including:
Traditional admitted insurance companies
Specialty or non-admitted insurance companies
The California FAIR Plan when other options are limited
The right option will depend on the property, its location, the home’s construction, available carriers, wildfire exposure, claims history, and other underwriting considerations.
The California FAIR Plan is not automatically the only option for every rebuilt home. It is designed to provide basic property insurance when coverage is not reasonably available through the traditional market. Because its coverage may be more limited than a standard homeowners policy, homeowners should discuss whether additional coverage is needed with a licensed insurance professional.
Does the way you rebuild matter?
It can.
Insurance companies consider much more than a home’s market value. Depending on the carrier, underwriting considerations may include:
Roof and exterior materials
Windows and vents
Wildfire exposure
Defensible space and landscaping
Fire department access
The home’s replacement cost
Previous claims
Available insurance carriers
Many newly constructed homes incorporate current building codes and wildfire-resistant features such as Class A fire-rated roofing, ember-resistant vents, tempered glass windows, and fire-resistant exterior materials.
These features are first and foremost intended to improve the home’s resilience. They may also affect insurance eligibility, available coverage, or pricing, depending on the carrier and property. Lear more about our Wild-fire Resilient Homes.
What does insurance currently cost in Altadena?
There is no single insurance price that applies to every rebuilt home. A carrier must evaluate the specific property before providing an accurate quote.
However, recent 12-month policy data supplied by our guest insurance agency offers a useful snapshot of premiums written in ZIP code 91011:
Primary residences
Average annual premium: **$3,991**
Rental properties
Average annual premium: **$3,191**
Course-of-construction policies
Average annual premium: **$5,223**
*These numbers are historical averages from one agency’s book of business—not quotes or estimates for a particular homeowner. Actual premiums may be higher or lower depending on the home, policy limits, deductibles, coverage, carrier, construction status, and individual underwriting requirements.
What insurance may be needed during construction?
The policy needed while a home is being rebuilt may be different from the homeowners policy placed after construction is complete.
Depending on the project and the parties involved, homeowners may need to discuss:
Course-of-construction or builder’s risk insurance
Liability coverage
Coverage for materials stored on-site or in transit
Coverage limits as the value of the project increases
The responsibilities of the homeowner, contractor, and lender
A contractor’s insurance and a homeowner’s insurance serve different purposes. Homeowners should confirm their responsibilities before construction begins rather than assuming every potential loss is covered by the contractor. Learn more about our Rebuilding Process.
Questions to bring with you
This event is intended to help homeowners ask better questions, including:
When should I begin shopping for insurance?
How is my home’s replacement cost calculated?
Does adding an ADU affect my coverage?
Will solar panels, a metal roof, or landscaping affect my premium?
What deductibles or wildfire exclusions should I understand?
Are wildfire-mitigation discounts available?
What insurance do I need while the home is under construction?
What happens if construction costs increase?
What options do I have if my previous insurer will not cover the rebuilt home?
Should I consider separate earthquake insurance?
Join us for Office Hours: Insurance for Your Rebuild
You do not need to have your rebuilding plans finalized to attend. This conversation is open to Altadena homeowners who are rebuilding, exploring their options, or simply trying to understand what questions they should be asking.
Tuesday, July 21
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Remington Rebuilds Altadena Office
2450 N Lake Ave, Altadena
*Insurance products, availability, underwriting requirements, and premiums vary. Information shared during this event is for general educational purposes and is not an insurance quote, guarantee of coverage, or individualized insurance advice.
