Home Insurance in San Mateo County, California
Homes in San Mateo County carry a median value of $1,559,600 - 112% higher than the California median.
Aging wiring, roofing and plumbing in older homes can push up the cost to insure or rebuild them. The typical home in San Mateo County was built around 1966. About 40% of homes were built before 1960, about 14 points above California's 27%.
The housing stock in San Mateo County is 64% single-family homes, 29% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 1% mobile or manufactured homes.
66% of owner-occupied homes in San Mateo County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
San Mateo County has an owner-occupancy rate of 58% and a vacancy rate of 8%; unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form.
63% of homes in San Mateo County are primarily heated with natural gas.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, San Mateo County's top hazards are earthquake (Relatively High), inland flooding (Relatively High) and wildfire (Relatively Moderate). Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake, so separate coverage is usually needed.
San Mateo County had 4,143 active National Flood Insurance Program policies as of September 2026. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In California, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,655 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $1,559,600 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1966 |
| Owner-occupied share | 58% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 66% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Earthquake (Relatively High), Inland Flooding (Relatively High), Wildfire (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 4,143 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,655 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
- Atherton
- Belmont
- Brisbane
- Burlingame
- Colma
- Daly City
- East Palo Alto
- Foster City
- Half Moon Bay
- Hillsborough
- Menlo Park
- Millbrae
- Portola Valley
- Redwood City
- San Carlos
- San Mateo
- South San Francisco
- Woodside
Smaller communities
-
Pacifica
- Median home value: $1,249,800
- Median year built: 1966
- Owner-occupied share: 68%
-
San Bruno
- Median home value: $1,207,500
- Median year built: 1962
- Owner-occupied share: 62%
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)