The California Photographer's Guide to Gear Insurance
California's property insurance market has gotten harder for everyone, including photographers just trying to schedule a camera. Here's what's actually going on, and who's still writing new policies.
Why California Is Different
State Farm stopped writing new property policies in California in 2023 and, as of our most recent check, still hasn't resumed. Several other major carriers have pulled back from new CA property business or reduced homeowners exposure over wildfire risk. That matters for gear owners too: even where a home policy exists, adding a personal articles rider can be harder to get approved, and a single claim can put the whole policy at renewal risk in a market this tight. It's a big part of why a specialty policy — issued independently of your home insurer — is often the more reliable path for California-based photographers specifically.
Who's Actually Writing New CA Policies
- Athos Insurance — confirmed admitted carrier with a California license, hobbyist plans from $220/yr, no CA zip code surcharge.
- Front Row Insurance — accepts California residents, but their self-serve online quote tool is Canada-focused. CA residents should contact their Los Angeles office directly rather than the online form.
- Worth Ave. Group and InsureMyEquipment — both accept individual hobbyist applicants, but neither publishes explicit California-acceptance confirmation on their site. Get a direct quote to confirm before counting on either.
What to Watch For
Any claim filed on a home policy gets logged in C.L.U.E., and insurers can flag or non-renew a policy over it — a bigger risk in a tightening market like California's. Check the international deductible separately from the domestic one; they can differ significantly (Athos, for example, is $250 domestic but $1,000 outside the US). And don't assume "no business license required" is universal — confirm hobbyist eligibility directly before applying.