Ask An Expert

I am looking for information on homeowners insurance companies who are willing to insure homeowners who are running a craft-based business out of their homes. I am not looking for information on business insurance, but specifically for information on homeowner’s insurance, and how homeowners insurance…

My house is for sale and is vacant. There’s nothing in it to steal. My insurance agent says my policy will almost triple. Why would it when the house is empty? Or is this just an overpriced quote?

What are the pros and cons of umbrella policies and what to watch out for? what questions to ask the agent?

Our insurance agent hired an independent contractor because our blueprints and home was completely destroyed. The independent contractor submitted a high appraisal then the insurance wanted to pay, so the Insurance Adjustor reduced the amount of predicted costs, When I asked the insurance adjustor why…

I have a fire claim from the Creek Fire and Skirball fire with State Farm. I submitted my claim and the carrier gave me an estimate that was low. After I couldn’t get them to pay more, I tried to invoke the appraisal clause in…

I was parked in a large parking lot and was slowly, very slowly backing out of my spot at the same moment another driver in a larger car than mine was also backing out. The shape of the parking lot on that row was slightly…

Can you clarify further the difference between a scope of loss and an estimate? I feel like my insurer went straight to the estimate without sharing a detailed scope. How long and how in-depth should the scope be?

Do cost to rebuild estimates from insurers include architect fees, structural engineering, etc?

Why does the Insurance company have any say over a REPLACEMENT home I might choose to buy over a REBUILD? What if I want to rebuild a different home than the one that was destroyed?

Our insurer in California increased our coverage without warning or consultation which led to an almost 100% premium increase. Is this legal and do I have any recourse other than looking for another insurer? We are in southern California and there have been fires close…

Which homeowners insurers do not use binding arbitration clauses? Is there a link, resource, etc. I can use to find out?

We received an estimate from contractor to submit to insurance to fix damage from broken pipe (black water). If the contractor exceeds the amount of the estimate due to unexpected obstacles related to damage, will the insurance company cover the total bill with full replacement…

Our insurance company, Nationwide, is telling us they will only reimburse us for $.18/mile instead of IRS rate of $.51/mile. We couldn’t find housing in Santa Rosa area where we lived so we now are renting in Calistoga. My husband and I both work so…