High Net Worth · Malibu, CA
Malibu combines wildfire and coastal exposure in the same community. We access the full market — admitted private client carriers, surplus lines, and every available option.
The Malibu Risk Profile
Malibu stretches 21 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, from the Santa Monica city line to the Ventura County border. That geography encompasses dramatically different risk profiles: beachfront homes on Carbon Beach, the Colony, and Point Dume with primary coastal exposure; hillside and canyon homes in the Santa Monica Mountains with primary wildfire exposure; and properties throughout that carry both. No single underwriting approach applies to all of Malibu.
The 2018 Woolsey Fire burned approximately 83,000 acres and destroyed nearly 1,500 structures in Malibu, Calabasas, and surrounding areas — it was the most destructive fire in Los Angeles County history until the 2025 Palisades Fire. The 2025 event brought renewed wildfire losses to the western Los Angeles corridor. Admitted private client carriers have tightened underwriting significantly for Malibu hillside and canyon properties following these events, and many are now placed through surplus lines.
For beachfront properties, the primary coverage considerations are different: coastal wind and structural exposure, erosion, and in some cases flood risk. Some admitted private client carriers that have tightened their hillside appetite continue to write beachfront properties with appropriate coastal underwriting. We evaluate the specific property location before approaching the market — a Carbon Beach home and a Las Virgenes Canyon home require completely different carrier strategies.
Many Malibu homes are second residences for Los Angeles households. Seasonally occupied properties require a coverage structure that reflects actual occupancy, and we flag this during placement rather than allowing the carrier to discover it at claim time.
Why It Matters
Our broker holds the three most rigorous designations in property and casualty insurance, including the CPRIA — a specialty credential focused specifically on personal risk management for high net worth families. See what that means in practice →
Common Questions
Malibu combines wildfire exposure in the canyon and hillside areas with coastal exposure for beachfront properties — two of the most challenging underwriting factors in California in the same community. The 2018 Woolsey Fire and 2025 Palisades complex both affected Malibu. Admitted private client carriers have tightened significantly, and many properties are now placed through surplus lines. Full market access and a compelling property submission are essential.
Yes. Beachfront homes have a different primary risk profile — coastal wind, erosion, and storm exposure rather than wildfire as the leading concern. Some admitted private client carriers will write beachfront properties where they decline hillside ones. We evaluate the specific location and risk profile before approaching the market, because a Carbon Beach home and a Las Virgenes Canyon home require completely different carrier strategies.
Chubb's Wildfire Defense Services, PURE Response, and AIG's Wildfire Protection Unit all dispatch crews to monitor and treat policyholder properties during active fire events. These programs are only available through private client carriers — not through the FAIR Plan. During the 2025 fire events, properties covered by these programs had meaningfully better outcomes than those without.
Yes. Seasonally occupied properties require a coverage structure that reflects actual occupancy. Some private client carriers accommodate second homes well; others have restrictions. We flag occupancy during placement and ensure the coverage works for how the property is actually used — standard policies assume primary occupancy and that assumption creates gaps for vacation-use homes.
Admitted private client carriers first (Chubb, PURE, AIG, Berkley One) — eligibility requires Class A roof, documented defensible space, and favorable construction. If admitted carriers decline, surplus lines (Lloyd's, Palomar, E&S programs) — real insurance from AM Best A- carriers at risk-reflective premiums. FAIR Plan plus DIC only as a last resort. Well-maintained Malibu hillside properties presented correctly usually achieve private market coverage.
Nearby Areas
Wildfire, coastal, and second-home considerations — all in one community. We navigate the full market to find the best available terms for your specific property.