Do Security Cameras Lower Your Home Insurance in California?

It's one of the first questions LA homeowners ask us: "Will cameras lower my insurance?" The honest answer is "sometimes, a little" — and the details matter. Here's how security cameras actually factor into a California homeowners policy, and how to make sure you get any discount you're owed.

What insurers actually reward

Most carriers offer a discount for security and safety systems, but they weigh some things more heavily than others. A monitored alarm system usually earns the biggest break. Cameras on their own tend to earn a smaller discount — but they still count, especially as part of a broader setup that includes motion lighting, smart locks, and sensors. Typical discounts land in the 2–5% range, occasionally higher for a full monitored system. It's rarely dramatic, but on an LA policy it adds up year over year.

Why cameras help beyond the discount

The bigger financial upside often isn't the premium line — it's the claim. If someone breaks in or a package walks off, clear footage makes your claim faster and far less likely to be disputed. Timestamped video showing what was taken, and when, is exactly the documentation an adjuster wants. In that sense cameras can pay for themselves the first time you actually need to file. It helps to know how long to keep your footage so the clip you need is still there when you file.

How to actually get the discount

• Tell your agent. Discounts aren't automatic — you usually have to report the system and sometimes provide proof (photos, receipts, or an installer's letter).
• Ask what qualifies. Some carriers want professional installation or monitoring for it to count. Ask before you buy so you spec the right system.
• Bundle the safety features. Cameras plus a monitored alarm, smoke and CO detectors, and smart locks often stack into a better combined discount than any one item alone.

A note on privacy and claims

California has strict rules about recording — especially audio. If your footage is ever used in a claim or dispute, you want it collected legally. Our guide to California recording laws covers what you can and can't capture, so your footage helps you rather than creating a headache.

The bottom line

Don't buy cameras purely to chase an insurance discount — the savings are real but modest. Buy them because they protect your home and make any claim smoother, and treat the discount as a bonus. If you want a system that's documented properly for your insurer and built to actually hold up, a free on-site assessment is a good place to start — and we'll point you toward the setup that checks the most boxes, including the ones your policy cares about. (Choosing the right pro matters too; here's how to pick an installer.)

← Back to all articles