💸 房屋保險變貴怎麼辦？教你五招控制加州保費（2025 最新指南）
近兩年加州房屋保險全面上漲，包括 State Farm、Farmers、CSAA、Allstate 等公司都開始收取新的 surcharge 附加費。許多房主都在問：保費一直漲，我到底能做什麼？
本篇是「加州房屋保險 × 初學者系列」第三篇，整理五個最有效、最實際、最容易操作的方法，幫助你控制加州房屋保險費用。
📌 1. 調整免賠額（Deductible）──最簡單、最有效
Deductible 是你自己先付的金額（如 $1,000／$2,500／$5,000）。
免賠額越高，保費越低。
一般建議：
- $1,000 → $2,500，可省 10%～15%
- $1,000 → $5,000，可省 15%～30%
如果你是少理賠、或重視保費的人，這是最容易立刻見效的方法。
📌 2. 強化房屋安全（防火、防盜）──部分保險公司會給折扣
如果你家做了安全升級，許多保險公司會減價，例如：
- 防火屋頂（Class A roof）
- 清除可燃植物、建立 5–30 ft 防火間距
- 安裝監控、警報器、Ring Doorbell
- 換成金屬材質或防火門窗
部分地區甚至有 defensible space（防火區）扣款計畫。
📌 3. 維持良好的保險紀錄（不要頻繁報案）
加州保險公司最看重的就是你的理賠紀錄。
- 家中漏水 → 小額自己修比較划算
- 玻璃碎裂 → 可能不值得報案
- 小型偷竊 → 報案後未必划算
理賠次數越多，下一次續保越困難，甚至被拒保。
📌 4. 多比較保險公司（但不要太頻繁換公司）
加州市場不穩定，但比較不同公司仍然很重要：
- 不同核保規則（尤其 Fire Zone 差很多）
- 不同 Coverage A 計算方法
- 不同風險模型
但建議不要每年換，因為：
- 有些公司會因為你“太常換”而提高風險評分
- 保單未滿一年就取消可能影響保費
📌 5. 若你落在 Fire Zone，高風險區有專門策略可用
如果你家在 High 或 Very High Fire Zone，可採取：
- 詢問保險公司是否有防火改善計畫
- 比價不同公司（有些對 Fire Zone 較友善）
- 需要時考慮 FAIR Plan + DIC（補差額保單）
FAIR Plan 保費通常較貴，但對高風險區房屋是最有用的備用方案。
📌 Bonus：Surcharge 是全州共同承擔，避免斷保更重要
2024～2025 的 surcharge（附加費）是所有加州房主都會被收，無法避免。
更重要的是：
千萬不要讓保單中斷。
重新核保會更貴，甚至有公司可能不再承保。
📌 結語：保費上漲不是你的錯，但你可以做很多改善
加州保費正在快速變動，但只要掌握正確策略，你仍然能維持合理的保險費並確保房屋安全。
下一篇將帶你了解：為什麼保費變動會影響你的房貸月供（Escrow Impound Explained）。
如果你的保費上漲，也可能會影響房貸月供（Escrow Impound）：
👉 什麼是 Escrow Impound？為什麼保費變動會提高房貸月供？
💸 What to Do When Home Insurance Gets Expensive? 5 Ways to Lower California Premiums (2025 Guide)
California home insurance premiums have increased significantly in recent years. Major insurers like State Farm, Farmers, CSAA, and Allstate are now adding new surcharge fees, leaving many homeowners asking: What can I do to reduce my insurance costs?
This article is the third chapter of the “California Home Insurance Basics Series” and provides five practical strategies to help you control your premium.
📌 1. Increase Your Deductible — The Fastest and Easiest Method
A higher deductible means a lower premium.
Common savings:
- $1,000 → $2,500 can reduce premiums by 10%–15%
- $1,000 → $5,000 can reduce premiums by 15%–30%
If you rarely file claims, this strategy is highly effective.
📌 2. Improve Home Safety (Fire + Security Upgrades)
Many insurers offer discounts for safety upgrades, including:
- Class A fire-resistant roofing
- Defensible space (5–30 feet of clearance)
- Security systems, alarms, Ring Doorbell
- Fire-resistant doors or windows
Some areas even qualify for wildfire mitigation credits.
📌 3. Maintain a Clean Claims History
Your claims history is one of the strongest factors affecting your premium.
- Minor leaks → repair out of pocket
- Broken windows → may not be worth filing
- Small theft losses → might cost more to claim
Too many claims can lead to higher rates or even non-renewal.
📌 4. Compare Quotes — But Avoid Switching Too Often
Different companies have different underwriting standards, especially for Fire Zones.
However, switching too frequently can increase your risk score with some insurers.
- Stay at least one year with each policy when possible
- Avoid mid-term cancellations
📌 5. If You Live in a Fire Zone, Use High-Risk Strategies
Homeowners in High or Very High Fire Zones may need:
- Wildfire mitigation inspections
- Quotes from insurers more friendly to Fire Zones
- FAIR Plan + DIC (Difference in Conditions) policy
FAIR Plan is more expensive but often the only option in high-risk areas.
📌 Bonus: Surcharge Fees Are Statewide — Prevent Lapses
The 2024–2025 surcharge fees apply to all California homeowners.
You cannot avoid them, so the best strategy is to prevent a coverage lapse.
Reapplying for insurance after a lapse can be much more expensive.
📌 Conclusion
Premium increases are not your fault — but you have many tools to manage them.
Understanding your deductible, home improvements, and Fire Zone risk can significantly lower your premium.
The next chapter explains why insurance premium changes can increase your monthly mortgage: Escrow Impound Explained.